History of Wheeling City and Ohio Co. WV - Biographries-8



ALEXANDER O. MAXWELL, who has been a resident of the city of Wheeling 
since 1869, is secretary of the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company and a 
prominent member of the board of education of the city. He was born in 
Ohio county, West Virginia, 10 miles from Wheeling, in 1858. He is a son 
of John D. Maxwell, and grandson of Thomas and Sarah (Steele) Maxwell, of 
Scotch-Irish descent; the former died in 1854, and the latter, in 1872. 

Thomas Maxwell was born at the Redstone settlement in Pennsylvania, and 
came to Ohio county, Virginia, with his father. They located on a farm 12 
miles east of Wheeling, which property still remains in the possession of 
the family. Farming was the chief pursuit of the family up to that time. 
Thomas and Sarah Maxwell had eight children, as follows: John D.; Hester, 
deceased; Sarah Jane; Margaret Ann; Rachel Amanda; Elizabeth, deceased; 
Robert M.; and T. T. They all reside in Ohio county, with the exception of 
Sarah Jane, who is a resident of Beaver county, Pennsylvania. 

John D. Maxwell was born in Ohio county, Virginia, August 8, 1816, and was 
reared on the farm on which he remained until he arrived at maturity. At 
the age of about twenty-five years, he attended the academy at West 
Alexander, Pennsylvania, in charge of Rev. Dr. McCluskey, a Presbyterian 
minister, contemporary with Dr. Hupp, of Wheeling. He became proficient in 
Latin and Greek and familiar with the sciences, during his course of four 
years. Upon leaving school he taught for six months at Triadelphia, and 
during the three succeeding years taught a select school five miles from 
Wheeling. He then taught for seven seasons near his old home and Valley 
Grove. Two years later, he was married and then opened a merchandise store 
at Triadelphia, and later at Roney's Point, where he conducted business 
about two years. He then sold out and took charge of his father's farm, 
which he succeeded in clearing of a previously incurred indebtedness. He 
came to Wheeling in the fall of 1869, and in 1871 rented the stock yards 
of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Bellaire, and conducted them for about 
seven months. During 1858 and 1859, he had served as deputy sheriff under 
Samuel Irwin, and under an act of the legislature was appointed in 1867 
by Governor Boreman a commissioner for the equalization of lands - 
presenting the First Senatorial District, which included Brooke, Hancock 
and Ohio counties. The work occupied the commission for nearly a year. Mr. 
Maxwell was special deputy United States marshal under Hegeman Slack, of 
Charleston, for twelve years or until the early "eighties," since which 
time he has lived practically a retired life. Although eighty-five years 
of age, he is most active and hearty, and resides at No. 25 South Penn 
street, on the Island. He was united in marriage with Margaret Pierson, 
who was born in Ohio county, July 6, 1831, and is a daughter of Perry and 
Isabel (Frazer) Pierson, being one of seven children, as follows: 
Margaret; David; James C.; Jane; Narcissus; Abigail; and Perry E. This 
union resulted in the birth of eight children, as follows: Thomas T., a 
painter and contractor, of Wheeling; James P., of the firm of Hubbard & 
Paull, of Wheeling, a member of the executive committee of the West 
Virginia Wholesale Grocery Association; Alexander O.; Margaret (Lake), who 
resides on the Island, and has two children, Sidney and Marguerite; John 
Edward, who lives at home and is in the employ of the Wheeling Electrical 
Company; George D., president of the Hicks and Hoge Dry Goods Company of 
Wheeling; Rose (Montgomery), of Martin's Ferry, Ohio; and Schuyler Colfax, 
who died in infancy. 

Alexander O. Maxwell attended the public schools of Wheeling until he was 
fourteen years of age, and then served an apprenticship to the trade of a 
printer, with William Ewing. He afterward became a clerk in the employ of 
Isaiah Warren & Company, in the oil refinery at Wheeling, and occupied 
everal clerical positions withthem during the following six years. He 
served a traveling salesman for Simeon Baer's Sons Grocery Company for 
five years, and in 1888 began his business relations with the Bloch 
Brothers Tobacco Company, as bookkeeper. In 1890, when this firm became 
incorporated, he was made secretary of the company, in which capacity he 
has since served with credit. 

Mr. Maxwell was united in marriage with Clementine Loomis, who died in 
1896, leaving five children, as follows: Lillian B.; Edna G.; Margaret C.; 
John Alexander; and Harold. He formed a second union, wedding Emma W. 
Seybold, of Wheeling, a daughter of Joseph Seybold, deceased, who was at 
one time cashier, and later president, of the Bank of Wheeling, and was 
also sheriff of Ohio county. The subject of this sketch resides in the 
seventh ward, on North Front street, on the island. He is a Republican, 
and has taken an active interest in the affairs of his party. He was a 
member of the city executive committee one year, and was elected a member 
of the board of education in 1892, to fill out an unexpired term. He 
served until 1894, when he was re-elected for a term of six years, and in 
1900 was again elected to that office. Fraternally, he is past master of 
Ohio Lodge, No. 1, A.F. & A.M. In religious belief, the family has always 
been Presbyterian, but Mr. Maxwell is liberal, attending the Protestant 
Episcopal and and Methodist Episcopal churches. 



PROFESSOR WILLIAM H. ANDERSON. This gentleman is the efficient
superintendent of the public schools of Wheeling, West Virginia. He was 
born near West Liberty, West Virginia, and comes from a family of 
instructors. His first pedagogic work, after receiveng his education in 
the West Liberty Academy, was in the country schools of his native county, 
in which he taught six years. From 1868 to 1870 he acted as principal of 
the public schools at Bethany, in Brooke county, West Virginia. After 
engaging in mercantile pursuits for a short time, he resumed his former 
position, that of principal of the Bethany schools. This he retained for 
two years, when he accepted a similar position at Wellsburg. 

In 1879, Professor Anderson removed to Wheeling, West Virginia, where he 
held the position of principal of Union School in the fourth ward (in 
which he was succeeded by Prof. J. M. Hammond, in 1885. On July 17, 1885, 
Professor Anderson succeeded Prof. John Birch as superintendent of the 
public schools of Wheeling. This is his present position, which he in a 
manner which brings much praise from all. The schools have prospered under 
his guidance, and Professor Anderson has shown that the choice of 
profession made by him was indeed a wise one. He is a man of scholarly 
attainments, and his endeavors always to advance in his work, and to give 
others the benefit of his knowledge. He was made a Mason at West Liberty, 
West Virginia, about 1865. 



HULLIHEN QUARRIER, president of the Delaplain Dry Goods Company, was 
employed by that firm as a boy in 1864, and has risen to a station of 
prominence in Wheeling and vicinity. The business of this concern was 
started in 1846 by L. S. Delaplain and Henry Tallant, as a wholesale dry 
goods house under the firm name of Tallant & Delaplain. It was first 
located on Twelfth street, which place is now occupied by Joseph Graves' 
Son. It was then moved on Main street to practically its present location. 
In 1863 or 1866, Mr. Tallant retired from the business, and the firm name 
became L. S. Delaplain & Son. In 1882, the present building was erected by 
the company: it is of six stories, including the basement, and its 
dimensions are 40 by 110 feet. The firm name was later changed to L.S. 
Delaplain, Son & Company, and in 1894 the concern was organized and 
incorporated as the Delaplain Dry Goods Company, with Hullihen Quarrier as 
president, and Joseph S. Gibbs, secretary and treasurer. These two 
gentlemen have been associated with each other upwards of thirty years, 
and under harmonious management the business of the firm has greatly 
increased. Twenty–five men are employed by the company and traveling 
representatives are sent to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and West 
Virginia, where they have a well established trade. 

Hullihen Quarrier was born at Wheeling fifty-two years ago and has since 
made his home in this city, with the exception of two years spent at 
Louisville, Kentucky. He is a son of William B. Quarrier, who was born at 
Richmond, Virginia, in 1800, of Scotch parentage. The family is no doubt 
of French Huguenot origin. The grandfather of Mr. Quarrier came to this 
country from Scotland and was a colonel during the Revolutionary War. He 
died at his country home at Willowbend, Kanawha county, West Virginia, 
where the last years of his life were spent. William B. Quarrier came to 
Wheeling at an early age and died here in 1862. He was for many years 
connected with the old Merchants and Mechanics Bank, of which he was an 
official. He was also one of the founders of the Second Presbyterian 
church, and was an elder from the time of its organization until his 
death. A memorial window has been placed in the church to perpetuate his 
name, along with those of two other esteemed citizens who have passed 
away, Samuel Ott and Richard Hadden. Mrs. Quarrier who died in 1899, was a 
daughter of Jesse Hudson, a plantation owner of the Kanawha Valley. 

Hullihen Quarrier was educated in the public schools of Wheeling, and in 
1864, as before mentioned, entered the employ of Tallant & Delaplain in 
the dry goods business. Always attentive to his best interests and 
faithful to the interest of his employers, he made rapid advancement in 
the business until now he is president of the company in which he got his 
first start. He is a man of recognized business ability and enjoys the 
highest respect and esteem of all with whom he is acquainted. 

Mr Quarrier was united in marriage with Annie G. Hogg, of Cadiz, Ohio, a 
granddaughter of Chauncey Dewey and a niece of O.C. Dewey. Two children 
bless this union, Charles and Hullihen Dewey. The family home is Echo 
Point, and has but recently been completed. In politics, Mr. Quarrier is a 
supporter of Republican principles. He is a Mason and knight Templar, 
belonging to Bates Lodge, No. 33, A.F. & A.M.; and Cyrene Commandery, No. 
7, K. T. He was president of the chamber of commerce until that body was 
succeeded by the board of trade. Religiously, he is an Episcopalian and a 
vestryman in St. Matthew's Protestant Episcopal church. 



W. W. IRWIN, a prominent resident of Wheeling, West Virginia, is sheriff 
of Ohio county, and conducts a drug store on the corner of Twenty-fourth 
and Chapline streets. He is also a member of the board of trade, and one 
of the most progressive business men of the city. He was born in Boyle 
county, Kentucky, in 1861, and is a son of Robert and Rachel (Wilson) 
Irwin. 

Robert Irwin was reared in Belmont county, Ohio, and later lived in 
Danville, Kentucky, and Knoxville, Tennessee. He became a prominent 
business man, and died at Knoxville in the fall of 1895. He was united in 
marriage at Wheeling, West Virginia, with Rachel Wilson, a native of this 
city, who was an aunt of Dr. L. D. and A. J. Wilson. She died in 1876, 
having given birth to three sons and four daughters, all of whom were born 
at Danville, Kentucky. The daughters now reside in Tennessee. 

W. W. Irwin, the first son born to his parents, was educated in Center 
College in Kentucky, and graduated at the age of nineteen years, with the 
class of 1881. He immediately thereafter moved to Wheeling, where he 
secured a position in the drug store of A. T. Young, with whom he served 
an apprenticeship and learned the business. October 1, 1883, he located on 
the corner of Twenty-fourth and Chapline streets as manager of a drug 
store, of which he became proprietor in 1886. He has since owned this 
establishment, and his success as a druggist has been unqualified. During 
his official service as sheriff of Ohio county, it is being ably managed 
by C. E. Peters. He has always been an active Democrat, and in 1891 was 
elected a member of the second branch of the city council, where he served 
two years. He was then elected for four years as a member of the first 
branch of the city council, from the sixth ward, and his term expired 
January 1, 1897. He served two terms as a member of the board of county 
commissioners from Webster district. In November, 1900, he was the choice 
of the people of Ohio county for sheriff, and entered upon the duties of 
office January 1, 1901. The position is one of great responsibility, but 
the manner in which he is discharging his duties has met with universal 
approbation. 

In 1889, Mr. Irwin was united in marriage with Mary G. Ott, a daughter of 
Henry Ott, and they have one daughter, Martha G. His residence is in the 
sixth ward, and he and his family are members of the Second Presbyterian 
church. Fraternally, he is a thirty-second degree Mason, being past 
eminent commander of Wheeling Commandery, No. 1, K. T., and past potentate 
of Osiris Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. He is a member of Black Prince Lodge, No. 
19, K. of P.; and belongs to the A.O.U.W., and Lodge No 28, B.P.O.E., of 
Wheeling. 



HON. JAMES P. ROGERS, who has been a member of the bar of Ohio county, 
West Virginia, since 1863, is prominent in the legal profession and enjoys 
a large and lucrative practice in Wheeling and its vicinity, where he has 
been located for so many years. He was born in this city April 29, 1839, 
and is a son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Johnston) Rogers. 

Alexander Rogers was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in 1803, and as a 
youth went to England, where he took up the trade of a linen draper. He 
came to the United States and located in Wheeling, Virginia, in 1829, 
where he became identified with the merchant tailoring business, employing 
about 230 women and 30 men at a time up to the year 1857. In 1851, he 
formed a partnership with John Hamilton in the Quincy foundry, the firm 
name becoming Hamilton & Rogers. Mr. Hamilton who is now deceased, was the 
practical man of the firm. The partnership was dissolved in 1858, and Mr. 
Rogers, with his son Thomas J. Rogers, engaged in the produce business 
under the firm name of A. Rogers & Son. In 1864, the son died, and the 
business was closed out. The father then engaged in the hardware business 
with the firm of James McCulloch & Company, at the corner of Main and 
Fourteenth streets. After several successful years in this line, he 
retired from active business, and died January 3, 1887. He was united in 
marriage, at Wheeling, with Elizabeth Johnston, a daughter of Thomas 
Johnston: Mrs. Rogers died in 1897, at the age of eighty-one years. Her 
father came to Wheeling in 1799, and conducted a general store on Main 
street, in what is now known as the old town. He was a merchant throughout 
his life, and died in April, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers became the parents 
of three children, namely: James P.: Thomas J.. who died in 1864: Margaret 
J.. wife of Frederick Lange, who has charge of the Rogers estate and 
resides in Wheeling. Mr. Rogers and his father-in-law were justices of the 
peace under the old constitution of Virginia, prior to 1850. They were 
appointed by the governor, and were known as judges of the County Court. 
In line of seniority, Mr. Johnston would soon have received an appointment 
as sheriff. 

James P. Rogers was reared in Wheeling and while yet a youth, assumed the 
management of his father's tailoring establishment, which he held until 
1857. He then entered Jefferson College at Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, 
graduating therefrom in 1860. He was admitted to the bar of Virginia June 
18, 1863, just two days prior to the separation of Virginia and West 
Virginia. He has since been engaged in the practice of the law in Wheeling 
with unvaried success, his offices for many years being at the present 
location, No. 1404 Chapline street. In 1866, he was elected prosecuting 
attorney of Ohio county, in which capacity he served one term. He has also 
held other important offices. He was chosen to fill the vacancy left by 
Judge Good in the Municipal Court of Wheeling, but at the end of his term, 
refused the nomination for the office. Judge G. L. Cranmer accepted the 
nomination and was elected. Upon three different occasions, Judge Rogers 
has been nominated for judge, an honor which goes to show his high 
position at the bar. 

Judge Rogers was united in marriage, in Ohio, with Miss M. J. Jackson, a 
native of that state, and one son and two daughters have been born to 
them, namely: George J., an attorney-at-law, who graduated from Harvard 
University; Elizabeth J., who is a graduate of a women's college in 
Baltimore: and Ledora K., who is attending school at Auburndale (Taselle 
Seminary), near Boston, Mass. In politics, the Judge is a Democrat. He is 
a member of the Masonic fraternity. Since 1898, he has resided at 
Woodsdale, but formerly made his home in Wheeling. 



DR. CHARLES A. WINGERTER. Among the names of those deserving to be 
remembered in the annals of Wheeling's history is that of Dr. Charles A. 
Wingerter, who died at his residence in this city on June 29, 1886, in his 
forty-eighth year. 

Dr. Wingerter was born at Oppau, in the Bavarian Palatinate, July 29, 
1838, and came to Wheeling with his father's family in 1849. His education 
was obtained in the schools of Germany and of Wheeling. After the 
completion of his preliminary studies, he chose the profession of dental 
surgery, entering upon it in 1860. He first became a student under Drs. 
Robertson and Orr, then of Wheeling, and remained with them two years. 
Ambitious to reach the highest degree of excellence in his vocation, he 
followed up these practical studies and won his diploma at the Dental 
College of St. Louis, then one of the leading institutions of the kind in 
this country. He went to Zanesville, Ohio, to begin the practice of his 
profession and remained there one year. Returning to Wheeling, he 
thenceforward made this city his home during his life. He met with success 
in his vocation from the start and became the leading dentist of Wheeling 
and vicinity. By his genial manners, kindness of heart and generosity he 
ever won new friends and held them to him. His excellent business judgment 
and his interest in municipal affairs led his fellow citizens to elect him 
to the city council repeatedly, and at the time of his death he was a 
leading member of the first branch of the municipal government. As a 
public officer, he was characterized by the same qualities that won him 
respect in every sphere of his busy life. Industry, intelligent judgment, 
fidelity to trust and the candid courage of clear convictions were the 
traits for which he was ever noted. 

Dr. Wingerter was married in 1863 to Elizabeth White, a daughter of 
Michael White of this city. To them were born nine children, five sons and 
four daughters, all of whom survive him. The sons are: Charles A., 
physician and surgeon: Ferdinand, attorney-at-law; Adrian L. of the firm 
of Wells & Wingerter, wholesale and retail cigar merchants: John M., 
assistant ticket agent of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company: and W. 
Bernard, who is in the office of the Jewett Car Works at Newark, Ohio. The 
daughters are: Mrs. Kate W. Flaccus, widow of Charles C. Flaccus, Anna, 
and Clara, all of whom live with their widowed mother: and Mary Regina, 
who is a member of the Sisterhood of St. Joseph in this city. Dr. 
Wingerter accumulated considerable property during his life, all of which 
was selected with good judgment, as a result of which his estate has 
continued to increase in value under the careful management of his heirs. 
He was a directing spirit in many business enterprises and was president 
of the Citizens' Railway Company at the time of his death. 

If for no other reason, Dr. Wingerter's name would deserve remembrance 
from the fact that he was the first one in this or neighboring states to 
administer general anesthetics. Dr. John Frissell, through the courtesy of 
his old and famous associates, Dr. Willard Parker and Dr, Alonzo Clark, of 
New York, witnessed the administration of chloroform in New York in the 
first year of its use there. He returned at once to Wheeling, and 
entrusted to Dr. Wingerter the honor and responsibility of administering 
chloroform to an uncle of James McCourtney, who was obliged to undergo an 
operation on the arm. This operation by Dr. Frissell, successfully done 
with the assistance of Drs. Todd and the elder Hullihen, was followed by 
many others in which chloroform and ether were used. Dr Wingerter was for 
many years the recognized expert and the preferred anaesthetizer because 
of his skill and judgment in the use of what were then new and humane but 
also fearful and dangerous agents. His portrait, which accompanies this 
sketch, will serve to recall his familiar presence to those who knew him 
in years past. 



HON. BENJAMIN STANTON, lawyer and statesman, was born at Mount Pleasant, 
Ohio, June 4, 1809, and died at Wheeling, West Virginia, June 2, 1872. 

He was the only child of Elias Stanton and his wife Martha, who was a 
daughter of William and Elizabeth Wilson. His parents were members of the 
Society of Friends, and their marriage contract, dated October 22, 1807, 
is still in the possession of his family. The names of a large number of 
pioneer Ohio Friends and Quakers are subscribed to that contract, as 
witnesses, among them, David Stanton, who was the father of Hon. Edwin M. 
Stanton, and a cousin of Elias Stanton. 

Mr. Stanton's childhood was spent on a farm near Mount Pleasant, and when 
a youth he first learned the trade of a tailor, and then studied law with 
Stokely & Marsh in Steubenville, Ohio. He married Nancy Davis at Mount 
Pleasant, in January, 1830, and was admitted to practice law at 
Steubenville in the fall of 1833. In April, 1834, he removed to 
Bellefontaine, Ohio, where he resided until he removed to West Virginia in 
1866. Hon. William Lawrence (U.S. comptroller of the currency), who was a 
contemporary of Mr. Stanton at Bellefontaine, says, in a sketch of Mr. 
Stanton's life, that he was the leading lawyer in that part of Ohio for 
twenty-five years prior to 1866. In 1841, Mr. Stanton was elected to the 
senate of Ohio, having prior to that time served as prosecuting attorney 
of his county. With other Whigs he resigned his office as senator in the 
summer of 1842 in order to break a quorum in the senate, and thus prevent 
a Democratic gerrymander of the state, and his course was approved by his 
re-election in the fall of 1842. In January, 1851, he formed a law 
partnership with C.W.B. Allison, under the firm name of Stanton & Allison, 
which continued until his death. In the year 1850, he was a member of the 
convention that framed the Ohio constitution, and he was also chosen to 
represent the Eighth Ohio District in the Thirty-second Congress. He was 
not a member of the next congress, but was re-elected in 1854, and served 
through successive re-elections until the close of the Thirty-sixth 
Congress on March 4, 1861. He was, during the Thirty-fifth Congress, 
appointed one of the regents of the Smithsonian Institution and was chosen 
chairman of the committee on military affairs during the last Congress 
before the War of the Rebellion. The records of Congress, while he was a 
member, show that he took an active part in the stirring debates prior to 
the war, and that he was one of the Republican leaders in the house of 
representatives. In 1860, he was strongly supported for United States 
senator from Ohio, but the choice fell to Hon. John Sherman, who 
thereafter served so long and eminently in that capacity as to be known 
wherever the senate is known. Mr. Stanton received the unsought Republican 
nomination for lieutenant-governor of Ohio in 1802, and was elected on the 
same ticket with David Tod for governor, serving two years. 

At the close of the war a majority of the able lawyers of the State of 
West Virginia were prevented from practicing their profession because they 
could not take the "test oath" (that they had not borne arms against the 
United States or aided or supported the Confederate cause), and Mr. 
Stanton and his partner determined to remove to that state where 
professional ability was in demand and where there was a wide field for 
legal practice in business involving greater amounts generally than the 
business in their portion of Ohio. Accordingly, in the spring of 1866, the 
firm of Stanton & Allison opened an office in Martinsburg in charge of Mr. 
Stanton, and another office in Wheeling, in charge of Mr. Allison. In the 
spring of 1867, the Martinsburg office was closed, and thereafter the 
members of the firm continued together at Wheeling. The first five volumes 
of the decisions of the supreme court of West Virginia show that during 
the time that Mr. Stanton practiced law in West Virginia, he was of 
counsel in a larger number of cases in that court than any lawyer in the 
state, and he was also of counsel in nearly every case that went to the 
supreme court of the United States from this state during that period. 

In the aforesaid sketch, Judge Lawrence says: "For native ability and 
power in debate, Mr. Stanton has rarely been excelled in Ohio, or indeed 
in the nation." In an editorial after Mr. Stanton's death, the Toledo 
Commercial said: "Mr. Stanton was not only a man of very strong 
intellectual powers, with extensive knowledge upon all questions of public 
interest, but his reputation for honesty and fidelity in the discharge of 
official duties was above even the taint of suspicion." A long editorial 
on the death of Mr. Stanton in the Wheeling Daily Register of June 4, 
1872, includes the following: "He was a fine advocate, one of the best 
that has ever spoken at the bar in this county, and all his speeches, 
whether in court or in the political forum, were marked by a clearness of 
statement and an apparent earnestness and sincerity and honsety of purpose 
that rendered them unusually effective. He took an active part in whatever 
concerned the public welfare and was always ready to devote his time and 
labor to the discharge of whatever duty his fellow citizens imposed upon 
him. It has been our fortune to differ with him, both politically and upon 
many questions of local importance, and to know how great an influence he 
wielded and what a strong hold he had upon the public mind. His private 
character was above reproach. He has been for many years a member of the 
Methodist church and in all the social relation of life has enjoyed the 
warm friendship of all who knew him. Kind hearted, generous, affable and 
courteous, he had attached to himself hosts of friends and was admired no 
less for his brilliant talents than for his estimable qualities as a man. 
The death of such a man is always a public calamity, and we feel sure that 
we but express the sentiment of the entire community when we say that 
without distinction or exception the citizens of Wheeling mourn his death. 
From the midst of his activity and his usefulness he has passed away, 
leaving behind him the perfume of a well spent life and the commendation 
of his fellow men." 

Mr. Stanton left surviving him a widow, who died May 16, 1886, a daughter 
of Mrs. Mary Stanton Allison (the wife of his law partner), who died 
October 13, 1899, and two sons, James D. and Frank, who still reside in 
Wheeling. Another son (Capt. Alexander H. Stanton) had died shortly before 
his father's demise, leaving a widow and one son (Edwin L.), who are still 
living. 



WILLIAM F. STIFEL, a member of the firm of J. L. Stifel & Sons, printers 
of calico, is one of the representative citizens of Wheeling, West 
Virginia. He was born in Wheeling, in 1840, and is a son of J. L. Stifel. 

J. L. Stifel was born in Germany, where he managed a print works for a 
number of years. In 1834 he came to the United States, and after visiting 
several of the large cities located at Wheeling. He married Barbara Becht, 
who died in the "seventies". Several children were born to them, among 
them one son and two daughters living in Pittsburg: George E., who is one 
of the large dry goods merchants of Wheeling: and William F. 

William F. Stifel underwent his mental training at Linsly Institute, and 
at the age of fifteen years entered his present business. His father 
established this business in 1835, and for many years it was located at 
Main and Ninth streets. Its present location is on the corner of Fourth 
and Main streets. The owners and proprietors of this business are William 
F. Stifel and his two nephews, Edward W. and Henry G. this firm employs 
about 50 people, and 70,000 square feet of floor space are utilized in the 
plant, which is supplied with strictly modern and up-to-date machinery, 
and is operated by electricity. The work is all done by machine and is 
developed by the largest gas engine in the state. The grounds occupied by 
the plant are 150 by 400 feet. The sale of the product of this extensive 
plant is conducted through leading commission centers, thus requiring but 
few traveling representatives. An immense business is done each year, and 
the plant is well managed. Having learned the business at an early age, 
Mr. Stifel was fully competent to take charge of such an undertaking at 
the death of his father, which occurred in 1881, at the age of seventy-
four years. Mr. Stifel is a man of much executive ability, and has met 
with a great deal of success. 

Mr. Stifel was united in marriage with Miss Schandein, of Philadelphia, 
and to them have been born two children, Arthur C., who is a student in 
the College of Textile Arts in Philadelphia : and Flora, who is at home. 
Politically, Mr. Stifel is a Republican, but has never allowed his name to 
be considered as a candidate for any office. His father was a strong 
Unionist and participated in some of the early movements to maintain the 
Union. In religious views, the family have always been Lutherans. 

Mr. Stifel is a member of the board of trade: a director in the Wheeling 
Steel Iron Company; a director in both the Wheeling and Riverside Pottery 
companies; and a director in the Wheeling and Belmont Bridge Company. He 
is president of the German Fire Insurance Company, of Wheeling, the 
leading concern of the kind in West Virginia. Mr. Stifel is a public 
spirited man, and takes an active and deep interest in all enterprises 
which tend to advance the prospeity of the city in which he lives. 



JOHN E. DAY, editor of the Wheeling Intelligencer, has a very important 
and responsible position to fill, and has worked his way to it step by 
step, thoroughly understanding every part of the work that he 
superintends. He was born August 8, 1853, and is a son of William McK. and 
Mary (Kinsey) Day. 

William McK. Day was born in Wheeling, in 1821. His father went to 
Wheeling in 1817; he was very prominent, and held many positions of trust, 
the last of which was that of city treasurer. William McK. Day married 
Mary D. Kinsey, who was a daughter of John Kinsey, of Pleasant Valley, 
Ohio. She was a Quakeress, and was born in 1829. 

John E. Day attended school in Wheeling and acquired an education there, 
after which he took a special course at the state university at 
Morgantown. For the next few years he occupied a position in the post 
office, and then found a place on the Evening Standard, as reporter. This 
position he kept until 1878, when he became telegraphic editor of the 
Wheeling Intelligencer. He has occupied every position on this paper known 
to the editorial or news department, and at the death of G. A. Dunnington 
early in 1900, he took the place of editor-in-chief. 

Mr. Day was married on March 14, 1901; his wife is a member of the Fourth 
Street M. E. church. In politics the subject of this sketch is a 
Republican. He is very popular and may well feel proud of his success in 
journalism. 



LOUIS NIEBERGALL, who is engaged in the meat business, and also in the 
manufacture of ice, in Wheeling, West Virginia, is a native of Ohio, and 
was born November 20, 1862, a son of Daniel Niebergall. 

The father of Louis was a native of Germany, and came to the United States 
when he was eighteen years old. He was a weaver by trade, and located in 
Wheeling, where he was engaged in business for some time. He now lives at 
Benwood, aged sixty-six years. He married Catherine Schad, who is also a 
native of Germany, and they had the following children: Georgie, deceased; 
Charles; Louisa; Lena; Fred; Sophia; William; and Harry 

Louis Niebergall, the subject of this sketch, was reared by an uncle, 
whose name was George Schad. He first attended the public schools of 
Wheeling, and later went to a night school. He worked for his uncle for 
some time. In 1896, Mr. Niebergall went into the butcher business at 
Benwood, and ran a shop for two years. In 1898 he started in the same 
business at Forty-fifth and Eoff streets, where he still remains. He is 
also engaged in manufacturing ice, having engaged in that business in 
1894. The plant is 150 feet in frontage, and 100 feet deep, with a 
capacity of 25 tons per day. Mr. Niebergall employs 10 men to assist him 
at this plant. He is a progressive man in every sense of the word, and his 
success has been due entirely to his own efforts. Mr. Niebergall may 
safely be called a self-made man. 

The subject of this sketch married Lizzie Niedermyer, who was born in 
Wheeling, May 18, 1866. She is a daughter of Fred Niedermyer, who died in 
February,1895. Mr. Niedermyer, who was a native of Germany, married 
Elizabeth Tice, also a native of Germany, and they had the following 
children: George; John; Lizzie; Minnie, deceased and Fred. Mr. and Mrs. 
Niebergall have five children, namely: Minnie; Leila; Arthur; and Fred. 
Mr. Niebergall is a Republican. He is a member of the German Evangelical 
Lutheran church. His portrait accompanies this sketch. 



MILLARD F. GIESEY, a well-known architect of the city of Wheeling, West 
Virginia, is a member of the firm of Giesey & Faris partnership, which had 
its beginning in 1899. He was born in Wheeling, September 9, 1856, and is 
a son of Valentine and Adeline Giesey. 

Valentine Giesey, who is still living, was born in Westmoreland county, 
Pennsylvania. His wife was born in Maryland, and died in 1892. They became 
the parents of the following nine children: Millard F.; Charles E., 
deceased; William H., a carpenter residing in Wheeling; Mary E., wife of 
Harry Turner, an engineer in the glass plant at Bridgeport; James H., of 
Wheeling; Edward, a carpenter of Wheeling; John L., a contractor of 
Wheeling; Thomas G., a bricklayer of Steubenville, Ohio; and Albert V., a 
carpenter who makes his home in Wheeling. 

Millard F. Giesey attended the public schools of his native city, and then 
pursued the study of architecture at home. He practiced his profession for 
six years, and designed a number of fine buildings in Wheeling and 
throughout the state. In July, 1899, he formed a partnership with F. F. 
Faris, who bears an excellent reputation as an architect, and the firm of 
Giesey & Faris has been a prosperous one from the beginning. They have 
offices at Nos. 11 and 12 in the Masonic Temple, and command a high class 
of patronage. 

Mr. Giesey was joined in marriage, on May 22, 1879, with Margaret E. 
McAdam, who was born September 25, 1859, and is a daughter of James and 
Alice V. McAdam. Four children have been born to them, one of whom is 
living, Earl M., who was born November 29, 1884. They are members of the 
Fourth Street M. E. church. Mr. Giesey is a member of Wheeling Lodge, 
No.9, I.O.O.F.; Wheeling Lodge, No. 4, A.F. & A.M.; Wheeling Union 
Chapter, No. 1, R.A.M.; Cyrene Commandery, No. 7, K. T.; and Osiris 
Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S. In politics, the subject of this sketch supports the 
Republican party. 



WILLIAM H. HORNISH was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, May 9, 1866, and 
is the third of a family of five children. His father, who died on June 
14, 1901, was John Hornish, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania. 
John Hornish located in Wheeling in 1852, and was a contracting carpenter 
by trade. Our subject's mother was Agnes (Drake) Hornish, a native of 
Columbiana county, Ohio. Five children were born to this couple: Adda F., 
of Wheeling; Mary A., wife of J. C. Dutton, of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania; 
William H.; Edgar J., of Chicago, Illinois; and Charles N., a resident of 
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1881 the family moved to Mount Pleasant, 
Jefferson county, Ohio, where they resided for six years, removing to 
Wheeling in 1887. 

William H. Hornish received an education in the common schools during his 
early years, which was afterward supplemented by a course at Frasher's 
Business College, from which he was graduated in 1889. 

His profession is that of clerk and book-keeper, and he has held positions 
with well known business men of this city. 

From early youth, Mr. Hornish has taken a great interest in politics, 
being a firm believer in the tenets of the Republican party. In 1892 he 
was the nominee of the Republican party for the office of assessor of Ohio 
county, but was defeated at the general election held in November of that 
year. In February, 1895, he was elected clerk of the board of public works 
of the city of Wheeling, and was re-elected in 1897, and again in 1899, 
serving until July 1, 1901, when he resigned to accept the position of 
finance clerk at the Wheeling Post Office, the position he now holds. In 
1893, Mr. Hornish was elected a member of the city executive committee, 
from the third ward, and was re-elected three times, acting as secretary 
of said committee from 1896 until 1900. In 1898 he was elected to 
represent Union district in the county executive committee, and, upon the 
organization of that body, he was chosen chairman of the committee, and as 
chairman had the general management of the campaigns of 1898 and 1900 in 
Ohio county. 

Mr. Hornish is well known in secret society circles, being a past officer 
of Excelsior Lodge, No. 40, I.O.O.F., and also of Wheeling Encampment, No. 
11, I.O.O.F. He is a member of Reliance Lodge, No. 18, A.O.U.W., and is 
keeper of records and seals of Wheeling Lodge, No. 114, Knights of 
Pythias. He resides with his mother at No. 148 Fourteenth street. 



DAVID GARTH HEARNE, a well known young business man of Wheeling, West 
Virginia, is president of the Eagle Fluor-Spar Company, which owns and 
operates mines in Kentucky. He was born in Wheeling in 1870, and is a son 
of William L., and Laura (Ford) Hearne. 

William L. Hearne was born in Sussex county, Delaware, and from there went 
to Missouri, where he remained until 1867, and then came to Wheeling, West 
Virginia. During his business life he was largely interested in the iron 
industry, particularly in the Riverside Iron Works, of which he was the 
largest individual stockholder at the time of his death, February 13, 
1895. He was general manager and a director of this company until his 
retirement from active business in 1880. He was then succeeded by his son, 
Frank J., who continued in that capacity, being also a director, until the 
consolidation of the plant with the United States Steel Corporation. Frank 
J. Hearne is now first vice-president of the Nation Tube Company and is 
located in Pittsburg. William H. Hearne, a brother of the subject of this 
sketch, has been attorney for the company since 1876, and a director since 
his father's death, in 1895. The second wife of William L. Hearne was 
Laura Ford, a daughter of J. B. Ford, deceased, formerly agent of the 
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company at Wheeling. Four sons blessed this 
union, Namely: Joseph F., deceased; George N., deceased; David Garth; and 
Julian G., who is interested in copper mining in Arizona. 

David Garth Hearne received a good intellectual training in the public 
schools of Wheeling and in Linsly Institute. The Eagle Fluor-Spar Company, 
of Wheeling, of which he is president, was incorporated in 1898 with a 
capital stock of $200,000. It has its main office at No. 1321 Main street, 
Wheeling. 

February 9, 1898, Mr. Hearne was joined in marriage with Ada Collins, of 
Quincy, Illinois, and they have one son, David Garth, Jr.,who was born May 
7, 1901. Religiously, the parents are members of St. Matthew's Protestant 
Episcopal church. Politically, Mr Hearne is a Republican and takes a deep 
interest in party affairs. 



DR. WILLIAM ALLEN CRACRAFT, SR., the subject of this sketch, was born in 
Claysville, Pennsylvania, February 23, 1844. In 1848 his father's family 
moved to Triadelphia, Ohio county, West Virginia, where he was reared, 
receiving his academic education at the West Alexander Academy, 
Pennsylvania. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he entered the Confederate 
army, though but seventeen years of age, as a private in the "Shriver 
Grays," Company C, 27th Regiment, Virginia Infantry. "Stonewall" Jackson's 
Brigade, and participated in all the engagements with his regiment in 1861 
and until the battle of Kernstown, March 23, 1862, when he was taken 
prisoner and confined in Fort Delaware until August 5, 1862, then being 
exchanged at Aiken's Landing, Virginia. He at once rejoined his command 
and, although his year's enlistment had expired the preceding May, took 
part in all the battles of his regiment until after the battle of 
Sharpsburg, Maryland, September 19, 1862, when he accepted an honorable 
discharge, and re-enlisted in the cavalry serivce, as lieutenant of 
Company I, 20th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry, William L. Jackson's Brigade, 
Leman's Division, Fitzhugh Lee's Corps. He commanded his company in every 
battle in which the regiment participated, from the date of its 
organization to the termination of the war, receiving his parole of honor 
under the terms of Lee's surrender. 

After the close of the war, our subject returned to his home and entered 
upon the study of medicine. During 1866 and 1867 he attended the 
University of Virginia, where he received his medical education, and then 
commenced the practice of his profession in Triadelphia, Ohio county, West 
Virginia, in June, 1867, remaining there until April, 1871, when he 
located at Elm Grove, Ohio county, West Virginia, where he has remained 
ever since. From 1872 to 1893 he was attending physician to the Ohio 
County Infirmary, and in 1894 he was appointed visiting physician to 
"Altenheim;" also visiting physician to the Orphans' Home for Boys and 
Girls at Elm Grove. 

Dr. Cracraft was married, January 28, 1874, to Mary Key, of Elm Grove, 
daughter of Abner and Elizabeth Key, four children being born to them, 
namely: Georgia Key, deceased: William Allen, Jr., a graduate of medicine 
from the University of Virginia, June,1901, and located at Elm Grove: Mary 
Elizabeth: and Leech Key, at present a student of medicine at the 
University of Virginia. Abner Key, deceased, was born in Maryland, and 
Elizabeth Key, deceased, in Lancaster, Ohio. 

Dr. George A. Cracraft, the father of Dr. William Allen Cracraft, Sr., was 
a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Medicine and practiced in 
Triadelphia from 1848 to 1888--the year of his death--with the exception 
of three years, during which time he held the position of surgeon, with 
the rank of major, in the 19th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry, C. S. A. His 
wife was Jane Knox, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-
Irish descent. Dr. George A. Cracraft was the son of William Atkinson 
Cracraft, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, whose father was Maj. 
Charles Cracraft, a full surgeon in the Revolutionary War, later prominent 
in Indian warfare as a major, being wounded and captured near Fort Henry 
(Wheeling), in 1781, by a force of Indians under the renegade Simon Girty. 
Maj. Charles Cracraft was a son of Joseph Cracraft, who migrated from 
Lincolnshire, England, to the vicinity of Frederick, Maryland, in 1720. 



JACOB HUBERT HENRY BEU, an expert modeller of chinaware, enjoys the 
reputation of being one of the best workmen in his line, not only in the 
city of Wheeling, West Virginia, where he resides, but in the United 
States as well. He was born in Germany, November 7, 1855, and was educated 
in private institutions of learning. He served in the German army during 
1876-1878, being enlisted in the 2nd Hanover Infantry Regiment No. 77. He 
learned the modeller's trade under the tutelage of his father and other 
noted modellers of the old world, and in 1881 left his native soil to seek 
a home in the United States of America. He located at Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania, subsequently in New York City and Trenton, New Jersey, the 
pottery center of the East, and thence came to Wheeling, West Virginia, 
where he has since resided in the first ward. Soon after his arrival, his 
ability as a modeller of chinaware was recognized and his services sought 
by many of the leading potteries of the country. His designs were so 
unique and original that he is now employed exclusively by one firm, the 
Wheeling Pottery Company, of Wheeling, West Virginia. 

June 4, 1881, Mr. Beu was joined in marriage with Elizabeth Meinel, who 
was born August 16, 1858, and is a daughter of Jacob August Meinel, born 
in Mecklenburg, and Maria (Buckholtz) Meinel, born in Lauenburg, Germany. 
Mr. Meinel learned railroad engineering, which he followed on the Berlin & 
Hamburg Railroad for a period of twenty-five years without an accident. He 
finally discontinued railroading and went into a cement factory at 
Luneburg, which proved a most unfortunate change for him. January 21, 
1875, while about his work, he was caught in the machinery and killed, 
having attained the age of forty-eight years. Henry Buckholtz, the 
maternal grandfather of Mrs. Beu, remained in Germany, where he conducted 
a jewelry store, which has been in the family and has passed from father 
to son for a period of seven hundred years. 

Mr. Beu's paternal grandfather, Wilhelm Beu, was a farmer by occupation; 
the King of the Prussia served as the godfather at the baptism of the 
latter's seventh son. Twelve children have been born to Henry Beu and his 
faithful wife: Mary E.; Annie S.; Harry O.; Charles F.; Frank C.; 
Elizabeth; Hugo; Bertha; Clara; Martha; and Alma. The family belong to the 
St. John's German Independent Protestant church of Wheeling. 

Mr. Beu is not unmindful of his duties as a citizen and entered upon his 
political career, January 26, 1901, when he was elected on the Republican 
ticket, a member of the second branch of the city council. 

He is now serving on the important committees of finance, water and real 
estate, being chairman of the latter. He has distinguished himself by his 
zealous work for the new electric town clock and the wiring of the city 
building for the use of electricity. Mr. Beu is a prominent member of the 
German Reading Society of Wheeling, an organizer of the German American 
Soldiers' Association, and belongs to the Royal Arcanum. 



CHARLES H. SEABRIGHT, a prominent horse dealer of Wheeling, West Virginia, 
was born in this city, October 1, 1863. He is a son of Henry Seabright, 
who came to the United States from his native Germany. Henry Seabright 
settled in Wheeling, West Virginia, where he followed the butcher and 
grocery business until his death, which occurred in 1875. He was married 
in Wheeling to Wilhelmina Poppe, who was a native of Germany, and is 
deceased. They reared the following offspring; Charles H.; Henry L., a 
prominent contractor of Wheeling; and Wilhelmina, who lives in Ohio 
county, West Virginia. 

Charles H. Seabright attended the Ritchie School of Wheeling, after which 
he worked in a grocery store for one year. He then entered the employ of 
George Routh and George E. Stifel, and remained with them during 1884. 
After he left the dry goods business, he again entered the grocery 
business, opening a store on Marshall street, in Benwood. This he 
continued until 1887, when he was engaged in teaming for six months. His 
next experience was in the police department, of which he was a member for 
two years. Mr. Seabright then bought a saloon, which he conducted for six 
years. Since 1899, he has been buying and selling horses and buggies. He 
has become very well known in this business, and is worthy of the 
confidence reposed in him. He has met with much success. 

In 1887 Mr. Seabright was united in marriage with Katie Delbrugge, who was 
born in Wheeling, in 1869, and is a daughter of Edward Delbrugge, who is a 
native of Germany, and lives in Wheeling, and is employed at the steel 
works. Mrs. and Mrs. Seabright have the following children, namely: Earl; 
Bruce; Wilber; and Clyde. Mr Seabright is a member of the Republican 
party. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias. He and his wife are members 
of the German Evangelical Lutheran church. 



JOHN T. CARTER, A.M., M.D., whose prestige as a physician and surgeon is 
second to none in this section of the state, has been located in practice 
at Triadelphia since 1878. He was born on a farm in Ohio county, West 
Virginia, which his father also claimed as his birthplace. His grandfather 
purchased this farm at an early day, and it has remained in the possession 
of members of the family for more than one hundred years. 

Richard Carter, the Doctor's father, was born in 1813, and died at the age 
of seventy-four years. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and his ancestors 
came to this country long before the Revolutionary period. 

Dr. J. T. Carter prepared at Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, 
Pennsylvania, and graduated in 1871, from Princeton College at Princeton, 
New Jersey. He then completed a course in the study of medicine in the 
Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. Through a competitive examination, he 
became resident physician at the Good Samaritan Hospital in that city, and 
subsequently rose to the position of physician in charge. He then served 
as assistant superintendent and physician in a hospital at Boston, 
Massachusetts. In 1878, he located in Triadelphia, and formed a 
partnership with Dr. J. H. Storer, who had been engaged in practice there 
for thirty years. This association continued about ten years, and since 
them Dr. Carter has practiced alone. He is a man of high character and 
enjoys to a marked degree the confidence and esteem of his patients and of 
his fellow citizens in general. He has mastered his profession in a manner 
that has brought him prominence in the community and well deserved 
success. During his residence in Cincinnati, he gained through a 
competitive examination the Bartholow prize. He is a member of the West 
Virginia Medical Society, and an honorary member of the Massachusetts 
Medical Society. Fraternally, he has been a member of Triadelphia Lodge, 
No. 94, I.O.O.F., for eighteen years, has passed through the different 
chairs, and upon two occasions was sent as a representative to the grand 
lodge. 

Dr. Carter was married, in 1885, to Harriet Webb, a daughter of Dr. J. W. 
and Mary (Shumate) Webb. Dr. Webb, who was a minister of the Gospel for 
more than fifty years, and who died at the age of seventy years, was a 
noted Methodist Episcopal minister of West Virginia, and was presiding 
elder for many years. Dr. and Mrs. Carter have one child, a daughter 
Grace, who was born September, 1888. They are members of the Stone 
Presbyterian church. In 1898, the Doctor built a 10 room house, of two and 
a half stories; it is equipped in modern style, has a private water 
system, gas heaters in each room, and is the best residence in Triadelphia.



JOHN SCHAFER, a prosperous farmer of Elm Grove, West Virginia, is a native 
of Alsfeld, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, where he was born May 9, 1844, and 
is a son of Heinrich Schafer. His early educational training was obtained 
in the public schools of his native country, and was limited. When twenty-
five years old he came to this country, landing in Baltimore, Maryland, 
May 8, 1869. He came directly from there to Wheeling, West Virginia, where 
for a period of two years he was employed by Adam Stocker, and was then 
engaged in the manufacture of wagons, with William McNab, for five years. 
A position was then offered him as millwright and carpenter in the Labelle 
Iron Works, of Wheeling, which he accepted and held for two years. 

Mr. Schafer then moved to Elm Grove where he rented of Samuel Patterson a 
farm of 65 acres, and five years later purchased a farm of Mr. Hartlieb, 
on which, in 1891, he built, and now occupies, a substantial and 
commodious house of six rooms. Two years ago he built another dwelling 
house, which he gave to his son William, who assisted in conducting the 
farm. 

Mr. Schafer was united in matrimony, November 4, 1869, with Juliana 
Schmidt, a daughter of John Schmidt, who was a music teacher in Germany, 
where he lived until his death. Mrs. Schafer was also born, May 10, 1846, 
at Alsfeld, Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany. To this marriage were born six 
children, namely: John F.; William; Harry; Annie; Henry; and Alwin Martin. 
John F., who was born November 13, 1870, and who was married, but is now a 
widower, is a prosperous farmer and gardener; William, who was born 
January 15, 1872, is married and assists his father on the farm; Harry, 
born November 21, 1874, died May 26, 1897, at the age of twenty-two years; 
Annie, born March 29, 1881, died April 18, 1895, at the age of fourteen 
years; Henry, who was born April 6, 1883, resides with his father, 
together with the youngest child, Alwin Martin, who was born February 2, 
1890. 

Mr. Schafer is a man of common sense and good judgment, and is well 
thought of by his acquaintances. In politics, he is a Republican. He and 
his family are members of the Protestant Lutheran church of Triadelphia. 



THEODORE G. CUPP, a cornice and sheet-metal worker, and general manager of 
the Wheeling Roofing & Cornice Company, was born in Somerset county, 
Pennsylvania, November 16, 1865, and is a son of Eli and Elizabeth 
(Miller) Cupp, also natives of Somerset county. 

In the vicinity of his residence in Somerset county, Eli Cupp is regarded 
as one of the most worthy of the pioneer settlers, and no one understands 
better than he the trials and deprivations incident to crude and 
undeveloped conditions of existence. Upon the old homestead which he has 
witnessed the struggles for a maintenance of this courageous early settler 
and his wife, their declining years are being spent, in peaceful 
retirement from active participation in farm work. At the age of seventy-
three years, they are still in possession of unimpaired faculties, their 
longevity being inherited from sturdy ancestors, who exercised their 
activities in the state of Maryland. The maternal grandfather served in 
the War of Revolution, and lived to be ninety-eight years of age. Eli Cupp 
and his wife are stanch and active members of the English Evangelical 
Lutheran church, and are well known for their moral and humanitarian 
principles. Of the five children born into their family but two survive, 
and of these, John W. lives on the old homestead in Somerset county, 
having married Anna Pickins, a daughter of Judge Pickins. Five children 
are the result of this union: Webster; Franklin; Vernon; Robert; and 
Howard. The deceased children of Eli Cupp were: Lucy Ellen, who died in 
1875, at the age of five years; Edwin M., who married Mary Bittner, and 
died at the age of thirty-three years; and Sarah, who became the wife of 
Gabriel Good, and died in July, 1891, at the age of fifty years. 

After completing his study in the public schools of Somerset county, 
Penna, Theodore G. Cupp traveled extensively through different states of 
the country, and, being a keen observer of men and events, accumulated a 
valuable store of general information. In 1894, he came to Wheeling and 
embarked in his present business with J. F. Agnew; in 1900, in partnership 
with G. C. Jansen, A. J. Wagener and A. A. Horcher, he bought out Mr. 
Agnew. These men constitute a corporation, the Wheeling Roofing & Cornice 
Company, which has in preparation plans to increase its facilities for 
manufacture, and in the near future the company will be able to place on 
the market cornices, roofing, tar felt paper, galvanized iron, and other 
commodities of a similar nature. 

The marriage of Mr. Cupp and Mrs. Theresa Reynolds occurred October 20, 
1896, Mrs. Cupp being a daughter of George J. and Christina (Wink) Lang, 
and the widow of Joseph Reynolds, by whom she had two children-Clara and 
Joseph. Mr. Reynolds died January 29, 1893, at the age of thirty-two 
years. George J. Lang was born February 17, 1841, and died October 29, 
1899. By occupation a stone cutter, he but followed the example of his 
father, Joseph J. Lang, who was born in Germany and came to America in the 
early "thirties". George J. was the fourth child in his father's family, 
and his twin sister, Theresa, is also deceased. Mr. Lang came from one of 
the very old families of Wheeling, for when he arrived there was but a dim 
prophecy of the Wheeling of today. He assisted Bishop Whelan in putting 
the top stone on the beautiful cathedral on Eoff street. With his three 
brothers, he was famous as a stone cutter, the four brothers having a 
special gift in this line of work. He was a most kind and amiable man, and 
was ever ready to relieve distress wherever found. Mrs. Cupp is the oldest 
in a family of 11 children, viz., Theresa; Joseph C., who married 
Elizabeth Goldbaugh, and is a roller in the Whitaker Mill; George G., who 
is a cigar maker, married Elizabeth Herbig, and has six children, namely: 
David C., George A., Mary L., Catherine, Edward and Hilda; Andrew J., who 
works in the Whitaker Mill; Magdelena, who is at home; Charles A., who is 
a painter; Mary C., who is a saleslady at the Bon Ton; Francis W., who 
works at the tin mill; and Elizabeth, Catherine and Margaret, deceased. 
The mother of Mrs. Cupp was born in Pomeroy, Ohio, June 10, 1843, and came 
to Wheeling in the "sixties." Mrs. Cupp was educated at a Catholic school, 
and after finishing her education clerked for seven years for Andrew J. 
Roth. For a year and a half she was with the same firm in Chicago. She is 
a woman of culture and tact, and understands the art of creating a happy 
home. Mr. and Mrs. Cupp have hosts of friends in Wheeling, and are 
esteemed for their hospitality, good fellowship and warm sympathy. 



J. M. MOSKOVITZ, the efficient superintendent of the Architectural Iron & 
Wire Works on Eighteenth and Chapline streets, Wheeling, West Virginia, is 
a native of Eastern Germany, where he was born April 8, 1859. Mr. 
Moskovitz was schooled in Germany, and learned the trade of an iron 
worker, which engaged his attention until 1881, when he came to the United 
States. 

He landed in New York March 28, 1881, and worked at his trade in that 
place until 1893, when he decided to remove to Wheeling, West Virginia. He 
accordingly came hither but remained only one month, when he went to 
Cleveland, Ohio, and worked in the iron works there until 1897. At that 
time he returned to Wheeling and here started his present business. He is 
a finished workman, knows the work in all its details and his firm gives 
promise of great usefulness in its chosen line, and is a credit to any 
city. 

The company was incorporated November 14, 1899, since when its business 
has been rapidly increasing. The incorporators were E. A. Rich, president, 
who resides at New Martinsville, West Virginia; Dr. L. Rich, vice-
president, of Atlanta, Georgia; and H. S. Rich secretary and treasurer, 
who also resides at New Martinsville. These three brothers are 
enthusiastic, enterprising men, some of whom were former residents of 
Wheeling and are known favorably to many families there. The company 
employs at this time about 52 operators, and makes iron fences, bank and 
office fixtures, etc., builds construction work and bridges, and does a 
good business in general. 

Mr. Moskovitz was united in marriage September 10, 1881, with Cecelia 
Rich, a sister of the three brothers before mentioned. Seven children were 
born to this union, namely: Julius; Jacob A.; Joel; Edward; Rosa; Jennie; 
and Sarah L. The family worship at the Jewish Synagogue. Mr. Moskovitz 
belongs to the A.O.U.W. and the Bavarian Society. In politics, he votes 
for the man he thinks best qualified for the office. He has his business 
well in hand, and is not, nor has ever been, afraid of hard work. 



JOSEPH ELMER NICHOLS, one of the Richland district's most wealthy farmers, 
who lives at Clinton, Ohio county, West Virginia, has been a general 
farmer for many years, and gives attention to the raising of stock also. 
He is a son of William T. and Mary (DeGarmo) Nichols, and was born in 
Richland district December 14, 1861. 

William T. Nichols, who was born October 23, 1814, and who was during his 
busy life, one of the leading and influential men of his district, carried 
on farming and fine stock raising all his life. His entire life was spent 
in Ohio county, where he was born and reared, and he was one of the 
largest land owners in the county. His possessions included 600 acres in 
Richland district, and 175 acres in Liberty district, all of which land is 
supposed to be underlaid with valuable coal fields. A devoted member of 
the M. E. church, he held the offices of trustee and steward, and was a 
man of deep spiritual discernment and always recognized as a leader in the 
affairs of his church. Mr. Nichols' death occurred February 25, 1883, in 
his sixty-ninth year, and his son, Joseph, took charge of a part of the 
property. His life was full of service as an excellent citizen, and was 
such as gives character to a community. 

Willliam T. Nichols married Mary DeGarmo, a native of Washington county, 
Penna, who was born November 27, 1821, and came to Ohio county with her 
parents, at the early age of eight years. When still young, she became a 
member of the M. E. church, following in the footsteps of her parents, and 
was a Christian woman all her life. Her death took place May 26, 1899, 
when she had attained the age of seventy-eight years. She was a faithful 
wife, a tender mother, a model neighbor, and her many acts of thoughtful 
kindness and Christian self-denial are worthy of a more elaborate notice 
than a limited space will allow. She and her husband were people who will 
have a choice place in the memory of their acquaintances for many, many 
years. 

Joseph Elmer Nichols was one of 12 children born to his parents, namely: 
Sarah; Mary E.; Hugh W.; Rosanna F.; Ellen V.; Martha S.; Susan E.; Alice 
L.; William H.; Edward W.; Joseph Elmer; and Jessie B. Sarah was born 
February 7, 1842, and died December 11, of the same year. Mary E. was born 
January 24, 1844, and became the wife of John L. Rolinson, but died August 
3, 1887, in Southwestern Kansas, leaving two sons and four daughters to 
mourn her loss, namely: Charles, Lee, Eva, Isa, Ida and Minnie. Hugh W. 
was born June 9, 1845, and died January 24, 1849. Rosanna F. was born June 
13, 1847, and died August 25, 1862. Ellen V., whose birth occurred May 22, 
1849 died on April 8, 1869; and Martha S., born September 21, 1851, died 
May 4, 1858. Susan E., was united in marriage with J. D. Hastings, and has 
no children. Alice L., born September 23, 1854, departed this life on 
September 7, 1870. William H. married Mary North, on December 16, 1880, 
and has three children, Edna, Harry and Charles. Edward W. was born May 
22, 1859, and died July 5, 1880. Jessie B. is now Mrs. T. E. Hervey, a 
resident of Liberty district, and has two children, May and Olive. 

Mr. Nichols received his mental training when a boy, in the common 
schools, and later assisted his father on the farm until the latter's 
death. He then came into possession of a part of the property, and has 
been a general farmer ever since, and owns 302 acres, all in one tract. 
His farm is about six miles east of the city of Wheeling, and is a 
testimonial to his industry, with its good roads, improved and comfortable 
buildings, etc. He makes a specialty of raising sheep, and deals in 
registered Black Top Merino, and Shropshire, the last coming from the 
Shropshire Hills in England. These sheep are bred for their good mutton 
qualities, while the Black Top Merino is bred for the wool. William H. 
Nichols, a brother of Joseph Elmer, has the largest flock of Black Tops in 
Ohio county. These two flocks are the only registered flocks in the county 
at this time. 

Mr. Nichols was united in marriage with Cora McConnelly, November 4, 1897. 
She is a native of Wheeling, and a daughter of Joseph H. and Rebecca 
McConnelly, now of Triadelphia district. They have two children, Eleanor 
and Emily. The parents of these children are members of the M.E. church. 
In politics, Mrs Nichols generally votes the Republican ticket, but has 
never been a candidate for office. He stands well as a good farmer and 
worthy citizen, and is an enterprising man, who believes in keeping 
abreast of twentieth century progress. 



JAMES KELSEY HALL, president and business manager of the Intelligencr 
Publishing Company, of Wheeling, and a prominent figure in journalistic 
enterprise, as well as in the political and society spheres of activity of 
the West Virginia metropolis, was born September 15, 1857, on a farm near 
Bellaire, in Belmont county, Ohio. He is a son of Charles W. Hall, who was 
born and reared at West Wheeling. The father was a "Forty-niner" and a 
Union veteran of the Civil War. 

The subject of this sketch received his early educational training in the 
schools of Bellaire, and later was a student at the St. Clairsville High 
School. Having decided upon a mercantile career he took a course of 
business training in the well-known Duff's Business College, of Pittsburg. 
Returning to Belmont county, he taught school for two years. The turning 
point in his life was in 1880, when he came to Wheeling, and entered the 
employ of J. S. Rhodes & Company, where he remained several years. He 
joined the Intelligencer force in 1884, first as bookkeeper, and later, 
upon the formation of the Intelligencer Publishing Company, became its 
secretary. 

Mr. Hall, coming from a family that boasted of its stalwart Republicanism, 
has always taken a deep interest in politics. Soon after arriving in 
Wheeling he became identified with the local Republican organization, and 
achieved prominence in 1892, when he was made the chairman of the county 
committee. At this time, Republicanism in Ohio county did not mean what it 
does now, and that it means more now is largely due to the genius and 
unremitting exertions of James K. Hall. He was county chairman in 1892, 
1894 and 1896, and to realize the results of his brilliant management of 
the organization, it is only necessary to bear in mind that, when he took 
the chairmanship in 1892, there was not a Republican office-holder in the 
county building, and that when he retired from the chairmanship six years 
later, there was not a Democrat in office either in the city hall or 
county building. Furthermore, a Democratic majority of 200 had been 
overturned and replaced by a Republican majority of 1,700. In 1895, the 
party rewarded Mr. Hall by bestowing upon him the office of city 
collector, which he held for six years. In 1900, he was an aspirant for 
the Republican nomination for auditor of state; but the Charleston 
convention was manipulated in such a manner that he was defeated, although 
at the same time he was the acknowledged favorite of a majority of the 
delegates. Under the circumstances, many a man would have sulked in his 
tent, but Mr. Hall was not of that type; on the contrary he went into the 
campaign with all the ardor, energy and ability that are his, and as 
secretary of the state Republican committee, contributed much to the 
overwhelming defeat that was meted out to the Democracy. 

In September, 1901, upon the death of his father-in-law, John Frew, who 
for nearly half a century was the guiding spirit of the Intelligencer, he 
was chosen president and business manager of the company, and under his 
direction this leading newspaper of West Virginia is rapidly increasing in 
influence and circulation. 

In 1887 Mr. Hall married Ida May Frew, second daughter of John Frew, and 
the union has been one of happiness. They have two children, John Frew 
Hall and James Kelsey Hall, and there is no more charming family circle in 
the community. In the summer they occupy a suburban home at Pleasant 
Valley, and in the winter reside in the city. Fraternally, Mr. Hall is a 
Mason, being a Knight Templar and Shriner. He is also belongs to the 
Knights of Pythias, Ancient Order of United Workman; and Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks. 



WILLIAM F. KLAGES, a successful agriculturist, lives near Elm Grove, in 
Marshall county, West Virginia, and is a son of Theodore and Amelia 
(Behrens) Klages. Theodore Klages, who was a native of Ohio, at the age of 
thirty-nine years, was taken ill and died of typhoid fever, leaving his 
wife, and William F. to manage their farm of 205 acres. 

Mr. Klages was born in Marshall county, December 5, 1873, and received his 
mental training in the public schools. After his father'sdeath, he 
assisted his mother on the farm until October 12, 1898, whenhe was married 
to Mary Brosh, born in Wheeling, Ohio county, West Virginia, and a 
daughter of Charles Brosh, who was born in Germany, and is now a very 
prosperous farmer. Shortly before his marriage, or on February 25, 1898, 
work was commenced on the house in which they now reside, and which with 
50 acres of land was given to him by his mother, as a place to live when 
he married. Mr. Klages and his wife have on child, Charles. 

When he was married, his younger brother assisted his mother on the farm. 
His sisters, Minnie, Emma, Carrie and Dora, all grew to maturity and are 
married. 

Mr. Klages is a member of the Protestant Lutheran church, of Triadelphia. 
He is held in great respect by all his friends. 



JOSEPH HERDEN, an esteemed citizen of Elm Grove, West Virginia, is doing a 
very successful business in that prosperous town, where he has lived 
during the past four years. He is a German by birth, and was born in 1850. 

In 1878, he decided to go to America and try his fortune. He accordingly 
crossed the ocean and in 1879 arrived in Wheeling, by way of Canada. For 
five years he followed coal mining, and then tried his luck as a shoemaker 
for the five years following. During these years he saved his money and, 
after leaving the shoemaker's trade, embarked in business for himself at 
Fulton, which he carried on for four years with the best success. 

Mr. Herden then went to Benwood, where he kept a restaurant and saloon, 
and enjoyed quite a good business. Four years ago, he moved to Elm Grove 
and engaged in his present occupation. He is very successful and is 
considered a law abiding and dutiful citizen. 

Our subject was married to Ernestine Mende in 1877. She died February 8, 
1890. On February 30, 1898, he was united in marriage with Caroline 
Schacht, of Wheeling. He and his wife are liberal in their religious 
views. Mr. Herden is held in high esteem among his fellow citizens, as an 
honorable, industrious and enterprising man. 



FRANK R. SCROGGINS, a prosperous young business man of Wheeling, whose 
portrait is presented on the foregoing page, is proprietor of the White 
Swan Laundry, which does a flourishing business and commands a high class 
of trade. He was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, January 17, 1868, and is 
a son of George W. Scroggins. 

George W. Scroggins came to Wheeling when a young man, and lived here 
until his death in 1894, following the trade of an engineer. He married 
Caroline Nidick, who was born in Monroe county, Ohio, and they reared the 
following children: William, an engineer; Allen, who is in the employ of 
the National Telephone Company of West Virginia; Frank R.; and Charles, 
who is in business with Frank R. 

Frank R. Scroggins was reared in Wheeling and received his early mental 
instruction in the public schools. He then worked in a glass factory for a 
period of five years, after which he learned the trade of a machinist. In 
1895, he formed a partnership with Miss R. Moser and opened a laundry; 
after a period of six months Mr. Parker became his partner, the firm being 
Scroggins & Parker. They continued in business about eight months, when 
Mr. Scroggins opened the White Swan Laundry at No. 1011 Market street. In 
February, 1900, he moved to his present location at Nos. 30 and 32 Tenth 
street, where he occupies the first floor and basement, having a floor 
space of 80 by 120 feet. He employs about 30 people in the laundry, and 
well merits the success with which he is meeting. 

In 1889 Mr. Scroggins was joined in marriage with Catherine Nahmer, who 
was born in Wheeling in 1869. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen. In religious views, he favors the Methodist 
Episcopal church. 



WILLIAM DOUGLASS ROBERTSON, was born in Wheeling, Ohio county, West 
Virginia, April 23, 1866. He is a son of John and Rebecca (McCaffrey) 
Robertson, natives of the North of Ireland, and is of Scotch-Irish 
descent,--a race that has done much for this country. 

John Robertson came from Philadelphia to Wheeling years ago, and is now 
living a retired life at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. His wife, 
who died March 16, 1898, was a devout member of the United Presbyterian 
church. They had seven children, four of whom are still living, namely: J. 
C., who resides in Wheeling; Eleanor V.; and William Douglass and his twin 
sister, Matilda. 

Mr. Robertson acquired his early mental training in the public schools, 
and afterward attended Linsly Institute. He then entered upon his business 
career and subsequently was assistant city collector under J. K. Hall, for 
six years. After leaving that position he became connected with the 
Intelligencer Publishing Company, and has creditably discharged the duties 
devolving upon him in this capacity ever since. 

Fraternally, Mr. Robertson is a member of the K. of P. and in religious 
attachment, he belongs to the United Presbyterian church. He takes a 
lively interest in the politics of the Republican party. The subject of 
this sketch is a ready accountant and a most trustworthy man. 



ARTHUR M. TERRILL, manager and superintendent of the mill owned by the 
firm Terrill & Atkinson, is one of the rising young business men of 
Triadelphia and its vicinity, and has for some time been known as a person 
of sterling worth and integrity. He is a son of Charles S. Terrill, a 
sketch of whose life is given in another part of this volume, and was born 
April 27, 1862. Arthur M. Terrill attended the public schools of his 
native place, after which he took a business course of three terms in the 
Spencerian College, and graduated with honor. He then assisted his father 
in the management of an extensive farm, about three miles from 
Triadelphia. This farm was owned by the father, and young Terrill finally 
assumed its entire management, on equal shares with his father. He spent 
the following fifteen years diligently attending to his duties here, and 
raised a high grade of stock which consumed the products of the farm for 
food, and the sale of which yielded the profits of the place. About 1895, 
his father, in connection with a Mr. Atkinson purchased the property known 
as the old Taylor Mill, which had a capacity of 120 barrels of flour per 
day. This they operated with first-rate success under the firm name of 
Terrill & Atkinson. Arthur M. Terrill was then called upon to take the 
position of manager and superintendent of the mill, which he accepted and 
has since filled in an eminently satisfactory manner. His first move was 
to place on the market the "A. & T. Best" brand of flour, at the same time 
carrying on an exchange business with the farmers in the vicinity. Under 
his management the business at once became a success, and he has now added 
another brand of flour, known as the "A. & T. Patent," which is more 
popular, and sells as a better flour than the first brand. 

Mr. Terrill has been twice married. September 27, 1883, he was united in 
marriage with Blanche Blayney. She bore him one son, John B., who passed 
away at the age of two years. The mother also died in 1885. On December 
23, 1899, Mr. Terrill contracted a second matrimonial alliance, this time 
with Ella Naumann, a daughter of Louis Naumann, a sketch of whose life 
will be found elsewhere in this work. One child, Clarence L., brightened 
the second union, whose birth occurred June 22, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Terrill 
are active members of the Stone Presbyterian church, which is at Elm 
Grove, West Virginia. His residence is about half a mile from Triadelphia. 



WILLIAM J. McCOLLOCH, deceased, was one of the substantial and influential 
farmers and citizens of Ohio county, West Virginia, where he was born 
August 3, 1809, and where he spent the most of his life. He was a son of 
Abraham and Alcy (Boggs) McColloch, the former of whom was born on the 
south branch of the Potomac River, and followed farming in the early days, 
when the Indians roamed over the state of Virginia. 

William J. McColloch was one of a large family, all of whom are now 
deceased. He attended the common schools in his boyhood days, and 
afterward followed farming for the remainder of his life. His dealings 
were mostly in live stock, and he gave much attention and time to sheep 
raising, in which he was most successful. He farmed for many years on a 
large farm about six miles northeast of Wheeling, where he died August 24, 
1888, aged seventy-nine years, and three weeks; his widow still resides 
there. Mr. McColloch was an ardent Republican, but never assumed the 
responsibilities of office. Although not a member of any church, he was 
liberal in giving to all churches and charities, and was well and 
favorably known throughout the county. He was enterprising and active, and 
possessed in no small degree all those admirable qualities that count for 
the most in good citizenship. 

Mr. McColloch was united in marriage in December, 1848, with Rebecca J. 
Magee, a native of Belmont county, Ohio, and a daughter of Jesse and 
Elizabeth (Colman) Magee. They had no children. Jesse McGee was a native 
of Ohio, and his wife was born on the south branch of the Potomac River; 
he died in 1867, in his eighty-fourth year, and Mrs. McGee died in 1854, 
aged fifty-three years. She was a devout member of the M. E. church. Mrs. 
and Mrs. McGee had 12 children,--eight girls and four boys. Of this 
family, Mrs. McColloch and her brother Jesse B., are the only survivors, 
and live on the home place. 

Mrs. McColloch has a faithful companion in the person of Martha F. Boggs, 
a daughter of Ezekiel and Sarah (McGee) Boggs, the latter being a sister 
of Mrs. McColloch. Martha F. Boggs, who has been a teacher, of large 
experience, is one of eight children, namely: John M., a resident of Knox 
county, Ohio; Mary E., Coleman; Martha F.; Tabitha; W. W.; Jesse; and 
Jane. Coleman is a farmer in Knox county, Ohio, where he also teaches 
school. Tabitha was the wife of J. C. Clutter, and died in 1893, at the 
age of forty-two years. W. W. died at the age of fifty-three years, and 
Jesse, at the age of thirty years. Jane died at the age of thirty-six 
years, unmarried. 

Ezekiel Boggs was born in 1806, and in 1828 married Sarah McGee, who was 
born in 1809. They resided in Belmont county, Ohio, for five years, and 
subsequently moved to Knox county, where Mr. Boggs became a well-known 
farmer, and where they continued to reside until his death. They were 
members of the Presbyterian church; in politics Mr. Boggs was very active 
and served as a member of the Ohio Legislature for some time. His death 
took place in 1852, and his widow survived him until 1892. They were much 
respected citizens of their county, and as such did their duty as best 
they could. 

Martha F. Boggs is a most amiable companion, and Mrs. McColloch considers 
her a true friend and esteems her as such. Mrs McColloch has many of the 
sterling qualities of her deceased husband, and is held in high regard by 
neighbors and friends. 



LOUIS NAUMANN, of Triadelphia, Ohio county, West Virginia, is a retired 
farmer, who was born in Germany, January 13, 1846, where he received his 
schooling. At the age of nineteen years, he came to this country, landing 
in New York, and going to Long Island, where he accepted a position as 
gardener. There he remained for the next fifteen months, after which he 
moved to Triadelphia, Ohio county, West Virginia, and worked as a laborer 
on a farm for two years. At the end of that time he rented a farm, and the 
next two years were spent in working on it. He then moved on his mother-in-
law's farm, and built a house in which he lived until 1894. Then he bought 
five acres of land on which was a fine, seven-room house, in which he and 
his family reside at the present time. In connection with his farm, he 
purchased a coal bank in 1881, which he worked successfully for seventeen 
years, when he retired from business. 

Mr. Naumann was married, in 1868, to Caroline Brandstrop, a daughter of 
Henry Brandstrop, who was a native of Germany. He was engaged in 
agricultural pursuits, in which he prospered very much, and died at the 
age of seventy-five years, respected and highly esteemed by all who knew 
him. 

Louis Naumann and his wife have been blessed with a number of children, 
among whom are the following: Louis, born in May, 1869, who is a farmer 
and lives with his wife in Illinois; Annie, wife of E. C. Burkham, who 
resides at Fay's Run; Ella, who is the wife of Arthur M. Terrill, a miller 
of Triadelphia; John, an electrician, who is in Chicago; Fanny, wife of 
Clark McKee; Charles, also an electrician, who is married and lives at 
Triadelphia; Henry, unmarried, who is a piano tuner and resides with his 
father; and Albert and Arnold, who also live at home. 

Mr. Naumann is a member of the M. E. church. In fraternal circles he is a 
member of the I.O.O.F., Triadelphia Lodge, No. 94, which he joined 
nineteen years ago; he has passed through all the chairs, and has been a 
representative to the Grand Lodge of West Virginia. He also affiliates 
with the K. of P., Mystic Lodge, No., of Elm Grove. In politics he is an 
independent Democrat. 



ALBERT SNEDEKER stands well to the front as a general farmer and dairyman 
of Ohio county, West Virginia, and has accumulated a good competence as a 
result of keen foresight and industry. He is a son of Charles H. and Mary 
(Pedly) Snedeker, and was born January 23, 1859, in Marshall county, West 
Virginia, about half a mile from his present farm. 

Charles H. Snedeker was born in Brooke county, West Virginia, in 1836, and 
was twice married. In early manhood he married Mary Pedly, a native of 
Wheeling, and the mother of Albert, who was their only child. She died 
when the latter was about ten days old. The second marriage was contracted 
with Charlotte Simpson, who is still living. Mr. Snedeker was a farmer all 
his active life, but is now spending the remainder of his years in the 
peace and quiet of retirement. Albert Snedeker's mental training was 
derived from the public schools, which he attended in his early years in 
Marshall county. After attaining manhood he decided to become a farmer, 
and has made a success of that occupation, following it exclusively. He 
now owns 40 acres of the best kind of land, and keeps 20 cows for dairy 
purposes. He built his present comfortable, seven-room house in 1897, and 
has supplied it with many of the latest improvements. 

Mr. Snedeker was joined in marriage with Mary Belle White, who was also 
born in Marshall county, in 1858. They have had six children, namely: 
Beulah; Nora (deceased); Robert C.; Carl W.; Will L.; and Lilian. Mrs. and 
Mrs. Snedeker are active members of the M. E. church. Mr. Snedeker is a 
thorough Republican. The subject of this sketch is a public spirited 
citizen, and ranks as one of the most substantial men of his district; he 
is wise in judgment, and is greatly honored throughout the community. 



GEORGE W. WEIMER. Among the several reliable firms which cater exclusively 
to the meat requirements of a large trade may be mentioned that of F. 
Weimer & Sons, with headquarters on the corner of Tenth and Market 
streets. George W. Weimer, one of the most active and progressive members 
of the firm, and manager of the Wheeling branch, was born at Fulton, Ohio 
county, West Virginia, in 1867, and is son of Frederick Weimer, the 
originator and present head of the enterprise. 

In his native country, Germany, where he was born August 31, 1835, 
Frederick Weimer received a practical home training, supplemented by a 
common-school education. That he was ambitious and believed in the 
opportunities awaiting the industrious in the New World was demonstrated 
at the age of eighteen years, when he boarded a sailing vessel bound for 
New York. After tempestuous storms and delaying calms, covering forty-four 
days, he arrived at his destination, his principal capital being good 
health and spirits, and an optimistic view of life. Arriving in Fulton, 
West Virginia, he at once engaged in the butchering business, and success 
has justified him in continuing thus up to the present time. He was 
married in Fulton to Mary E. Schmidt, a native of Germany, who became the 
mother of the following children: Charles; Mary; Louise; Willie; Henry and 
George W. Frederick Weimer is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, 
but the pressure of business has never permitted him to devote much time 
to the holding of public office. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and a Red 
Man. 

George W. Weimer spent his youth in Fulton, and after completing his 
education in the public schools and at Frasher's Business College, from 
which he was graduated in 1885, he began to work for his father. In 1890 
he assumed charge of the branch established in Wheeling, although the 
packing houses are still at Fulton, and the slaughtering is still carried 
on there. The wisdom of this arrangement has been repeatedly demonstrated, 
as has also the managerial ability of Mr. Weimer. The marriage of Mr. 
Weimer and Anna Newheart was solemnized in 1890, and this union has 
resulted in five children, namely: Bertha; Annetta; George, Jr.; Cornelia; 
and Raymond. Politically Mr. Weimer is a Republican. He is identified with 
the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has 
won, to a gratifying degree, the confidence of the business men of the 
town, and is esteemed by all for his many admirable personal 
characteristics. 



MRS. MARY M. (HARTLIEB) WAGNER, who conducts a general store in a very 
successful manner at Triadelphia, Ohio county, West Virginia, was born in 
Wheeling in 1858. Her father was born in Germany, came to this country at 
an early day, and followed farming until his death, at the age of seventy-
seven years. 

In 1880, Mary M. Hartlieb was united in marriage with Martin Wagner, who 
was born in Marshall county, West Virginia, in 1853. Soon after their 
marriage, he moved to Triadelphia and purchased a dwelling and storeroom. 
He stocked his store with a line of general merchandise, and conducted it 
until his death, in 1891. He was a man of good ability and many estimable 
traits of character, and stood high in the community. After his death, 
Mrs. Wagner took charge of the store, and has since conducted it 
successfully, enjoying a liberal patronage. As her business required more 
room, she has just completed a new two-story storeroom and dwelling, the 
dimensions of which are 43 by 45 feet. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wagner became the parents of six children, five of whom are 
living. The record is as follows; Frederick and William, who assist their 
mother at the store; John, who died at the age of seven years; and Mary, 
Martin and Louis, who live at home and are attending school. All belong to 
the German Evangelical Lutheran church. 



G. O. SMITH is probably the oldest established real estate dealer in the 
city of Wheeling, West Virginia, where he has been located since 1863. One 
of his first acts after locating in this city was in company with the late 
O. T. Wild, to ring the St. Matthews (now the Baptist) church bell, to 
give alarm of Morgan's threatened raid on the city of Wheeling. 

Mr. Smith has been identified with many of the important interests Of 
Wheeling, and has, in fact, grown up with the city. He served a term as 
deputy sheriff under R. S. Brown, and then opened a real estate office on 
Twelfth street, as a member of the firm of Todd & Smith. His partner soon 
retiring, Mr. Smith continued the business, and early in the "nineties" 
added insurance and surety bonds to his already extensive dealings; he was 
the first agent in West Virginia to represent a bonding company. He was 
local agent for the Fidelity Deposit Company of Baltimore, Maryland. He 
has always made a specialty of handling estates and business property, and 
many of the old established merchants of Wheeling are in business 
locations, as owners or tenants, secured through Mr. Smith. During his 
career of twenty-six years in this business, he has negotiated loans for 
enough money to buy a good block in the business district of Wheeling. He 
sold land on the National Pike by the acre, which he now has for sale as 
building lots at the same price per front foot as was the acre price. He 
has been manager of the office building of the National Exchange Bank of 
Wheeling since its completion, and occupies one of the pleasant offices of 
that building. He is now assisted in his real estate and insurance 
business by his son, Vivian K., who has displayed exceptional business 
ability. 

Mr. Smith and his family enjoy the comforts of a good home at No. 51 South 
Front street, a choice residence location, which a few years ago was 
nothing more than a garden truck farm. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two 
daughters, Ada Barton and Helen Knight. 



JAMES D. HASTINGS, an eminent farmer and dairyman near Greggs, Ohio 
county, West Virginia, is also extensively engaged in stock raising. He is 
a native of Jefferson county, where he was born July 3, 1840, and is son 
of Joseph and Ruth (Brown) Hastings, natives, respectively, of Washington 
county, Pennsylvania, and Jefferson county, Ohio. 

Joseph Hastings, who was born November 20, 1807, was engaged in General 
farming and stock raising in Ohio and excelled in fine blooded cattle. He 
married Ruth Brown, who was born in 1812; her father went with his parents 
to Jefferson county, Ohio, at the early age of seven years, and died 
January, 1894, when eighty-two years old. This worthy couple had 10 
children, of whom James D. was the fourth. They were as follows: Stephen 
B.; Mary A.; John W.; James D.; Martha E.; George W.; Ruth A.; Albert J.; 
William B.; and Bascom M. Stephen B. was born in May, 1831, and died in 
July, 1864. He enlisted in the time of the Civil War, among the 100-day 
men, but when he had served three months, he caught the measles, and died. 
He left his widow, Isabella Hastings, to mourn his death. Mary A. married 
Henry P. Martin, but is now a widow and a resident of Jefferson county. 
John W., deceased, was united in marriage with Margaret Barkhurst: he 
enlisted in 1862, in Company B. 32nd Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., in the Western 
army. He accompanied Sherman in his famous march to the sea, and served 
his county valiantly for three years, being neither wounded nor taken 
prisoner during the conflict. Martha E., was taken away at the early age 
of eighteen months. George W. died in 1864, at the early age of twenty-two 
years. He came home from Mount Union College to enlist in the service of 
his country, together with James D. and Stephen B., but before he reached 
his destination typhoid fever claimed him. Instead of enlisting in the 
Union army he answered to the roll call in the Great Beyond. He was a good 
boy, and of him it may well be said. 

"No vision of the morrow's strife The warrior's dream alarms, No braying 
horn or screeching fife At dawn shall call to arms." 

Ruth A. is still enjoying single life. Albert J. is a traveling salesman; 
he married Cynthia Michaels, and resides at Columbus Ohio. William B. 
married Helen Porter, and resides in New York; he was a teacher for some 
time, but is now a salesman. Bascom M. is a prosperous merchant, living in 
Adena, Jefferson county, Ohio. 

Joseph Hastings and his wife were both members of the M. E. church, in 
which the former was prominent from his boyhood days, and served as an 
official most of the time. His wife is a deeply spiritual woman, and has 
been devoted to the church all her life. In politics Mr. Hastings was 
always interested, but held no office except that of township trustee. He 
was known all over the county as one of the most substantial farmers, and 
many mourned his loss. His death occurred in May, 1889. 

James D. Hastings obtained his early mental training in the public 
schools, after which he assisted his father on the farm. He enlisted in 
the army during the war and served four months in the 100-day service, 
doing garrison duty. For a time he was engaged in the livery business, and 
afterward embarked in mercantile affairs, but returned to farming, and has 
remained in that occupation ever since. His wife owns 120 acres of land 
which, it is presumed, is underlaid by coal. He raises mostly hay and 
grain, and is doing a profitable business. In politics, he is an ardent 
Republican, but has never cared for office. 

Mr. Hastings has been twice married. His first union was with Martha 
Winters, in 1865. She was a native of Jefferson county, and a daughter of 
John and Jane Winters, of Wintersville, Ohio. They had three children, 
namely: Alva T., who married Carrie Leggett and resides in Spokane, 
Washington; Ora B., who is still at home; and Freddie B., who died at the 
early age of three months. The mother of these children departed this life 
at the age of forty years, October 24, 1882. She was always a good, 
religious woman, and member of the M. E. church. 

March 15, 1888, Mr. Hastings was united with Susan E. Nichols, sketches of 
whose lives may be found elsewhere in this volume. This couple had one 
child, Edward W., who was born July 16, 1890, and died July 24, 1891. The 
parents are members of the M. E. church. In politics, Mr. Hastings is a 
Republican, working for the good of his party. 

James D. Hastings and his wife are descended from old and well-known 
families, and both bear an excellent character; they will long be 
remembered for their genial, courteous and pleasant ways and the good they 
do in all their walks of life. The subject of this sketch is numbered 
among the influential men of his county. 



ALBERT WINTER, a prosperous farmer of Marshall county, West Virginia, 
living a few miles south of Elm Grove, Ohio county, was born August 27, 
1857, in Germany. He came to this country at the early age of eighteen 
years, and came directly to Ohio county, West Virginia, where he secured 
work for a short time at a Fulton stone-quarry. Subsequently he hired out 
on a farm for Nicholas Schrader, and worked for him five years, until he 
married his daughter, Mary Schrader. 

Nicholas and Catherine Schrader, parents of Mrs. Winter, were natives of 
Germany. Nicholas came to America in early boyhood, made a success of 
farming, and lived to the age of sixty-four years. His wife, Catherine, 
has been in America for over fifty years, and is now eighty-three years of 
age. 

Seven children were born to Albert Winter and his wife, namely: John, born 
January 24, 1880, who is employed at Elm Grove; Nicholas, born September 
27, 1886, who lives at home with his parents, as do also Lorette, born 
August 8, 1889; Carl, born December 11, 1891; Annie, born August 25, 1894; 
Ruth, born April 17, 1896; and Amy, born June 21, 1898. 

Mr. Winter has improved his mother-in-law's farm by building a solid brick 
farmhouse of six rooms, with dimensions of 20 by 20 feet, and two stories 
high, to which he will fall heir on her death. In religious worship he 
united with the German Evangelical Lutheran church. He is independent in 
politics, and has been a trustee of schools for three terms. He has been a 
member of K. of P., Mystic Lodge, No. 24, of Elm Grove, for nine years. 



DR. T. K. SHIELDS, physician and general practitioner of Triadelphia, West 
Virginia, is among the foremost men of his profession in Ohio county. He 
was born July 3, 1864, on a farm in Brooke county, West Virginia, near 
Bethany. When he was still a lad his parents moved to West Liberty, where 
young Shields distinguished himself as an apt pupil in the public schools, 
from which he graduated with high honors. He afterward attended the West 
Liberty State Normal School, of the same place, and graduated in 1880. 

After teaching for two terms, he took a four-years course in Mount Union 
College at Alliance, Ohio. By this time Mr. Shields had decided upon a 
medical career, which is considered by many to be the leading profession 
of our day. To fit himself for his life work he attended the University of 
Maryland, and graduated in medicine, in 1890. 

Dr. Shields immediately began the practice of his chosen profession at 
Triadelphia, where he has been located ever since, and has built up a 
profitable practice. In 1891, he was united in marriage with Josie 
Ferrell, a daughter of Burton and Martha (Cracraft) Ferrell, and a grand- 
daughter of Dr. G. A. Cracraft. 

Dr. Shields is a member of the West Virginia Medical Society. During 
President Cleveland's second administration, he served four years as 
district medical examiner of soldiers, and during that time was treasurer 
of the board of examiners. He has also served three years as physician of 
the Ohio County Infirmary, located at Elm Grove. 

In fraternal circles, Dr. Shields is a man of prominence. He is a member 
of the K. of P., Lodge No. 24, of Triadelphia, which he joined about ten 
years ago, and of which he is medical examiner. He has filled the same 
office in connection with the A.O.U.W. lodge, for many years. He also 
affiliates with I.O.O.F., Lodge No. 94, of Triadelphia. He is a public 
spirited Christian gentleman, fearless in the performance of his duties, 
and well read and up-to-date in his profession. 



LOUIS G. FOLMAR is a flourishing business man of Elm Grove, West Virginia, 
and conducts a well-patronized market for the sale of high-grade meats of 
all kinds. He has been in business for himself since 1898, when he first 
established his concern, in partnership with his brother; he has full 
control of his affairs while his brother works at his trade in Wheeling. 
The firm buys all the stock and does its own killing. The first month they 
butchered only five beeves, but since Louis G. Folmar has had the 
management the business has increased until they now butcher from 16 to 18 
beeves per month, from 25 to 35 lambs, and during the season a large 
number of hogs for packing purposes. They run two wagons, one especially 
for the hotels along the National Road and another as a delivery wagon to 
supply their home customers. They make their own sausage by horse power, 
and it is in much demand. 

Mr. Folmar was born in Fulton, West Virginia, December 20, 1872. His 
father, G. P. Folmar, was also a native of Fulton, where he was a 
progressive farmer, but he has retired to Wheeling and lives there at the 
age of fifty-six years. He is now engaged in the real estate business. 
Mrs. Louise (Wolf) Folmar, mother of Louis G., was born in Ohio county, 
and is still living. Our subject's grandparents, on both sides, were 
Germans, and came to the United States in the latter part of the 
eighteenth century, settled in West Virginia, and became prominent 
agriculturists. 

Mr. Folmar's mental culture was limited to the public schools, which he 
attended until he was sixteen years of age. At that time he accepted a 
position with the F. Schenck & Sons Company, of Wheeling, to learn the 
cutting of meats, butcher business. He remained with this firm until 1898, 
when as before mentioned, he went into business for himself with his 
brother, F. Folmar. 

Mr. Folmar was married on September 14, 1896. He chose for his wife Lulu 
Montgomery, a daughter of James Montgomery, of Wheeling, who is at present 
engaged in business as a queensware merchant. Fraternally, Mr. Folmar is a 
member of the K. of P., Lodge No. 24, of Elm Grove. He is a hustling 
manager, and his meats find a splendid market.