History of Wheeling City and Ohio Co. WV - Biographries-9



LUTHER WESLEY BLAYNEY may be rightly considered one of the most prominent 
men of Roney's Point and its vicinity, where he has been carrying on a 
flourishing business since 1893, and has also been very active in 
political circles. 

Mr. Blayney is a son of John Blayney, who established, in 1870, a 
prosperous business at Roney's Point, and continued to have a good trade 
until 1887. His son Luther was born November 26, 1863. In October, 1883, 
Luther started to Valley Grove, where he purchased the stock of Edward 
Sample, and continued in good circumstances until 1887, when he removed 
his stock to Roney's Point, where he has been well patronized ever since. 

On July 17, 1883, Mr. Blayney was united in marriage with Katie 
Heimberger, a daughter of August Heimberger, who had control of a first-
class hotel at Roney's Point until his death. Their union was blessed with 
eight children, all of whom are living and doing well. They are as 
follows: Nettie O., born in 1884; John A., born in 1886; Thurman, born in 
1887; Carrie, born in 1889; George W., born in 1892; Ross, born two years 
later; Paul, born in 1896; and Marie, born in 1898. 

In political action Mr. Blayney is a Democrat, and has served his 
constituents well. He was county commissioner for one term; has served 
three years as trustee of schools; and was appointed by Governor McCorkle 
as notary public, July 13, 1894. In fraternal circles he is a member of 
the I.O.O.F., Lodge No. 966, of West Alexander, Pennsylvania, is past 
grand, and has been a representative to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania a 
number of times; is also a member of Black Prince Lodge, No. 19, K. of P., 
of Wheeling. He is one of the most prominent Masons in the state, has 
attained the thirty-second degree, and is a Knight Templar and Shriner. 
Through steadfast industry and thrifty methods he has become a prosperous 
and substantial member of the community. 



JOHN WEISS, who is located on a farm near Triadelphia, is one of the 
substantial citizens of the community. He was born in Baden, Germany, in 
1830, and obtained his intellectual training in the common schools of that 
country. 

In 1852 Mr. Weiss came to America, landing in New York City; he was 
employed in various kinds of work in Wheeling until 1859, when he removed 
to Roney's Point, West Virginia. There he began business by going through 
the country, buying produce of the farmers, and selling it in Wheeling. He 
succeeded very nicely in this business, and in 1860 moved to Triadelphia 
where he rented a place, and still continued in the produce business. In 
1862, he purchased a farm on which he lived, and in 1870 rebuilt the 
house, which he has since made his home. It consists of 10 rooms, is well 
arranged and comfortable and makes a pleasant residence. He also owns two 
dwelling houses and eight acres of land, back of the church in 
Triadelphia. During the Civil War Mr. Weiss was commissioned as a captain 
of the state militia, by Governor Pierpont, but was never called into 
active service. 

In 1857 Mr. Weiss was joined in marital bonds with Mary Wetzel, a daughter 
of Conrad Wetzel, who was born in Germany, moved to this country at an 
early day, and died of cholera in 1856 or 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Weiss became 
the parents of seven children, as follows: Mary A., wife of John Zweig, 
who conducts a general store at Bellaire, Ohio: Caroline, wife of George 
W. Dusch, who is in the real estate business in Wheeling; Alois, who is 
identified with her father's business in Triadelphia; Theresa, who married 
Henry Rhine, and died, leaving three children; John G., a plumber located 
at Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Frederick, who is in business with his father; 
and Elizabeth, wife of J. Bestenger, who is proprietor of a saloon at Elm 
Grove. Mr. Weiss and his family belong to the Catholic church. 



MAX L. HESS, proprietor of the finest greenhouses to be found in the Upper 
Ohio Valley, located a short distance from Wheeling Park, is an artist in 
the horticultural line, and has followed the business because he is a 
lover of nature and, particularly, of flowers. The 75-acre tract, the 
major portion of which is utilized by him, was purchased by the Hess 
estate in 1887, and is a part of the old Carter place, well known to the 
early residents of Ohio county. When about eighteen years of age Mr. Hess 
studied floriculture six years with the B. A. Elliott Company, of 
Pittsburg. Then he spent a year in traveling and securing advanced ideas 
to aid him in the practice of his profession. From 1894 until 1896 he was 
at the head of the horticultural department of beautiful Wheeling Park, 
and much of the charm and attractiveness of the park is due to his 
efforts. In 1897 he broke ground for his own greenhouses, and started what 
is justly considered the leading horticultural establishment in the Upper 
Ohio Valley. He soon inaugurated semi-annual floral exhibitions, which are 
society events, and are attended by the best citizens of Wheeling. He 
exhibits chrysanthemums in the fall and Easter flowers in the spring. Mr. 
Hess welcomes all visitors to his extensive and beautiful establishment, 
and has a courteous word for all. Most of the 75 acres of valuable ground 
has been improved and made suitable for the cultivation of fruit, 
ornamental trees and nursery stock in general. He has four greenhouses, 
the dimensions of each being 100 by 22 feet, with a total of over 10,000 
square feet of glass. In the point of construction and adaptability this 
plant is decidedly of the most approved pattern, and is equipped with all 
modern conveniences, such as ventilating apparatus, concrete walks and 
neat and substantial benches; adjoining the greenhouses is a neat office. 
A fine residence, with beautiful grounds, completes a pleasing picture, 
nicely laid out flower beds adorning the lawn. His mother owns and 
occupies this residence, and Mr. Hess has a home of his own on the old 
Carter site near by. 

Max L. Hess was born at Parkersburg, West Virginia, and reared at 
Wheeling, whither the family moved in 1871. His father, Henry Hess, was 
born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1835 and came to the United States 
in 1852, locating in Wheeling. He engaged with Mr. Frobe, a carriage 
manufacturer, and later went into the dry goods business, having charge of 
the Benwood Store. He later engaged with Charles Berey, a junk and rope 
dealer on Water street. During the war he married Anna Reymann, who was 
born in Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, in 1840, and came to Wheeling in 1850, 
with her father, George Reymann. She attended school until her marriage. 
After marriage they moved to Parkersburg, where all the children but their 
eldest were born. There Mr. Hess was engaged in the grocery business about 
nine years, and in 1871 returned to Wheeling, where he started a fancy 
grocery in the Beck Block, which he conducted some years. He then became 
head man for the Reymann Brewing Company, in their office, and continued 
as such until his death, in 1893. Mrs. Hess then lived two years in 
Wheeling, and in 1895 purchased her present home and 50 acres of land on 
the National Road, her land being used in the business of her son, the 
florist. She erected her handsome residence in 1895, her son, Max L., and 
a daughter, Mrs. H. B. Grimm, living near her home. Mrs. and Mrs. Hess 
became parents of the following seven children: Anton, a druggist in 
Chicago; Annie, wife of H. B. Grimm, of Wheeling; Otto, who received a 
technical education at Terre Haute, Indiana, is chief engineer for the 
Reymann Brewing Company, and lives at home; Max L.; Carl, deceased; Henry; 
and Bertha. Mr. Hess belonged to the Arion Association, and was a member 
of the board of education for six years. He was a Republican in politics. 
He was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran church, as is also Mrs. Hess. 

Max L. Hess was united in marriage recently to Anna Hess, a daughter of 
Otto Hess, an old resident of Ohio county, West Virginia, now residing 
between Elm Grove and Triadelphia. Mr. Hess is a Republican in politics, 
and has several times refused the nomination for county commissioner, 
feeling that his time and constant attention must be given to his immense 
business. He is possessed of unusual ability as a business man, and his 
great success is due solely to his own efforts. He is ambitious and a 
tireless worker, and enjoys the highest respect of his fellow men. 
Fraternally, he is a member of Wheeling Lodge, No. 28, B.P.O.E., in which 
he has filled some of the chairs; he also belongs to the Arion 
Association. 



BENJAMIN M. HILDRETH, for many years actively engaged in the glass 
business, was born at Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1854, and is a son of 
Dr. E. A. and Susan L. (McMechen) Hildreth. He was reared and educated in 
his native city, and graduated from Linsly Institute in 1872. 

Mr. Hildreth then entered the employ of Hobbs, Brockunier & Company as 
bill clerk, and was afterward started on the road as a salesman, in which 
capacity he continued until 1888. At that time he associated himself with 
James B. Russell in the glass business, which they carried on successfully 
at Fostoria, Ohio, for about six years, under the name of the Nickel Plate 
Glass Company, in which Mr. Hildreth served as secretary during that time. 
In 1894 he served his connection with the concern and a little later acted 
as secretary of the Beaumont Glass Company for one year. 

He had previously been connected with similar enterprises at Pittsburg and 
Dunkirk, Indiana. For the past few months he has not been in active 
business. 

Mr. Hildreth was united in matrimony with Sarah Catherine Turner, of 
Wheeling, who formerly lived near Wilmington, Delaware. Her father died in 
Maryland when she was a child, and she came to Wheeling at the early age 
of fourteen years, and has since resided here. To Mr. Hildreth and his 
wife one son was born, Eugenius A., who is twenty-one years old. Eugenius 
A. Hildreth is a graduate of Linsly Institute and Lehigh College, and is 
now studying medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia; 
he will probably take a special course in surgery. 

The subject of this sketch is an ardent Republican in his political 
action. He and his family are devout members of St. Matthew's Protestant 
Episcopal church. His residence for the past four years has been at 
Woodsdale, where he erected his present comfortable home. 



JOHN BODLEY, a retired and well-to-do citizen of Wheeling, West Virginia, 
was for many years a partner in the enterprising business firm of Bodley 
Brothers, who manufactured wagons quite extensively in this city. Mr. 
Bodley is the second child, and youngest son, of Joshua and Martha 
(Galley) Bodley and was born in the city of Wheeling, December 17, 1844. 

The four Bodley brothers originally located in Wheeling at various dates 
between 1830 and 1851, and spent the remainder of their lives in this 
city. They were reared in Monongalia county, West Virginia. Two of the 
brothers married Galley sisters, and the other two married ladies named 
Donnelly, who bore the relation of aunt and niece, and were from Greene 
county, Pennsylvania. 

The four Bodley brothers were Joshua, Joseph A., James and Daniel. The 
last three learned the bricklayer's trade, and subsequently became 
prominent contractors in Wheeling. James also engaged in the manufacture 
of brick, and carried on that business with an unusual degree of success 
for thirty or forty years. Daniel Bodley was born in 1833, and came to 
Wheeling in 1851. He married Jane Elizabeth Galley, who is now the only 
surviving member of the Galley family. Her husband's death, which occurred 
April 29, 1893, was the result of an accident. James had died previously, 
and Joseph A. passed to his final rest about 1895. Their loss was felt in 
the community, as they were especially prominent in business circles. 

Joshua, the father of John, was born in 1812, and in 1830, while still a 
youth, sought his fortune in Wheeling. He learned the blacksmith's trade, 
and later engaged in the manufacture of wagons, and followed that vocation 
the whole of his active life. His marriage with Martha Galley, a daughter 
of John Galley, took place in Wheeling and they reared three children,-- 
two sons and one daughter. In 1832 Joshua Bodley established a wagon 
factory, which he conducted alone for several years, when he took in David 
Richards as partner. They did business for a number of years, Later, in 
company with Thomas M. Galley, Joshua Bodley established another wagon 
factory, and Mr. Galley attended to the sale of the product up to the time 
of his last illness. After the death of his partner Mr. Bodley continued 
the business by taking his son, James W., into partnership during the war, 
and later his son John, the subject of these lines, assisted him in the 
business. Upon the death of his father the business passed to these two 
sons, James W. and John, who continued the manufacture of vehicles under 
the name of Bodley Brothers until 1891, when John Bodley retired from the 
business. The concern was incorporated about that time as the Bodley Wagon 
Company, and its location was changed to Staunton, Virginia. This company 
is in successful operation at the present time, under the careful and 
skillful management of its president, James W. Bodley. 

John Bodley has one sister, Mary, who married David R. Brooks. Her husband 
died several years ago, and Mrs. Brooks lives in Wheeling, having a 
comfortable residence on Fifteenth street. 



JOHN E. WAYT, a prosperous farmer located in Ohio county, West Virginia, 
is a native of this county, the date of his birth being December 17, 1841. 
He is a son of James Wayt and grandson of Nathaniel Wayt. 

John Wayt, uncle of Nathaniel, came to America between 1770 and 1780, and 
the old homestead now in possession of the family is a part of the 400 
acres entered by him. James Wayt was also born on the old home farm, in 
1812, and followed farming all of his life. He was a strict Presbyterian 
of the John Knox school. He was father of four sons, namely: John E.; 
Robert B., a stock dealer in Wheeling; James H., a farmer and stock 
raiser, owning 150 acres; and Francis, a stock raiser in Washington 
county, Pennsylvania. He was also the father of four daughters, namely: 
Barbara A.; Sarah Louise; Mary Rosine; and Laura B. John E. Wayt attended 
the common schools and West Liberty Academy, the latter institution having 
since been made a state normal school. He then moved on a farm, and has 
made a great success of his avocation. 

In addition to general farming, he raises considerable stock of a high 
grade, especially hogs. He is a Republican, and served as school trustee a 
number of terms. He is a member of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. 
He attends the Presbyterian church. 

In 1867 Mr. Wayt was joined in marriage with Rosanna Morgan, a daughter of 
Joseph and Mary Jane Morgan. Joseph Morgan, a son of Mordecai Morgan, and 
grandson of Edward Morgan, was a well-known stock raiser and wool grower. 
This union resulted in the following offspring: Joseph M., who was born in 
June, 1868, and died in his eighteenth year; Mary Z., who was born in 
December, 1869, and died in 1881; James H., who was born in 1873, and died 
in 1880; and Edgar J., who was born in 1878, and died in September, 1890. 
Mrs. Wayt died in April, 1881. Mr. Wayt's second wife, to whom he was 
married in 1887, was Catherine Shorts, a daughter of David Shorts. Three 
children were born to them, namely: John, who died at the age of eight 
months; J. E., born in 1893; and David F., born in 1899. 



GEORGE E. SISSON is a prominent farmer residing near Triadelphia, in Ohio 
county, West Virginia. He was born on the old homestead of the family, 
about two miles from the farm on which he is now located, and is a son of 
John E. Sisson. 

John E. Sisson was also born on the old homestead, in 1813, and lived 
there until his death, August 4, 1900. This farm was purchased late in the 
eighteenth century by his father, who came here from Fairfax, Virginia, 
where he was born. This property has remained in the family up to the 
present time, a period extending over a century. John E. Sisson married 
Ann Maria Woodyard, who is still living at the advanced age of eighty-two 
years, in the enjoyment of good health. They had the following children: 
Horace, who was born in 1840, and died in 1872; Louisa B., who was born in 
1861, and died in 1864; Louis P., born in 1845, who is solicitor for the 
Jewett Car Company; George E.; Emma M., wife of W. McCoy, who operates a 
planing mill at Bellaire, Ohio; and Charles W., who lives in Boston and is 
solicitor for an iron foundry. Mrs. Sisson also has a step-daughter, 
Eveline, who is married. 

At the solicitation of his mother, George E. Sisson moved from the old 
homestead to his present farm about one mile from Triadelphia. He lived on 
the old estate for a period of thiry-five years, and his mother for more 
than fifty years. Mr. Sisson is a progressive farmer, keeping his land 
under a high state of cultivation and the buildings in good repair. He has 
made a success of his vocation, and stands high in the community. 

Mr. Sisson was joined in Hymen's bonds with Mary Wadell, who was Born in 
West Virginia, and is a daughter of Elijah Wadell, a native of Virginia 
and a farmer all his life. Her great-great-grandfather, John Wadell, was 
born in Scotland and came to Virginia in the eighteenth century. Nearly 
all of his descendants followed the occupation of farming. Mr. and Mrs. 
Sisson became parents of the following children: Laura B., who was born 
February 11, 1876, and died January 27, 1882; Susan May, born March 16, 
1880; Wilma Virginia, born September 10, 1882; and John Edward, who was 
born May 10, 1885. Mr. Sisson is a public-spirited citizen, and has always 
been deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare of his 
community and county. 



SAMUEL JACOB EBERHARD, a responsible and trustworthy engineer at the 
Riverside Blast Furnaces, at Benwood, West Virginia, has been under his 
present employers for eighteen years, and has, during his life, pursued 
several different occupations. 

Mr. Eberhard was born April 22, 1855, and is a native of Greenville, Ohio. 
His father was a native of Switzerland, who came to the United States in 
1835 or 1840, and located in Ohio, where he followed cabinet-making; he 
died in the spring of 1891. Mr. Eberhard's mother, whose maiden name was 
Catherine Phillips, was a native of the Keystone state, and departed this 
life in 1887. 

Samuel J. Eberhard is the eldest of a family of four children. His 
brother, Gottlieb, was born in 1857, and died at the age of sixteen years. 
His sister, Anna, was born in 1861, and is now the wife of Frank Ashworth, 
of St. Clairsville, Ohio. His only living brother, Charles F., was born in 
1863, and is a resident of Belmont county, Ohio. 

When sixteen years old Mr. Eberhard began a two years' service as a mule 
driver on the Tuscarawas canal, between Trenton and Cleveland, after which 
he learned the trade of a mechanical engineer. During the winter of 1868-
1869 he drove a coal wagon at New Philadelphia, Ohio, in connection with a 
portable sawmill, and subsequently worked on a farm for a brief period. In 
the fall of 1870 he went to Bridgeport, Ohio, and worked for a time as an 
engineer and roustabout in "Billy" Armstong's brick-yard; then he became a 
teamster and hauled coal from the mines, after which he spent two years as 
engineer in Isaac Cline's cooper shop. Subsequently he worked for a while 
in Williams' sawmill, where he "tail-blocked," after which he finished 
sawing the lumber for the Aetna and Ohio City mills. Falling ill with 
Typhoid fever, caused by overwork, he was incapacitated from labor for 
fourteen weeks. After his recovery he worked for more than three years in 
the blast furnaces at Martin's Ferry, and afterward spent some time 
working in the puddling furnaces at the Ohio City mills. The next five 
years were spent by Mr. Eberhard in agricultural pursuits, at the close of 
which period he returned to Martin's Ferry, where for two years he ran an 
engine in the blast furnaces, and later spent some time at carpenter work 
for a subcontractor. In 1883 he did his first work at the Riverside Blast 
Furnaces in the capacity of an engineer, and with the exception of a short 
time spent elsewhere he has been engaged there ever since. He is regarded 
as one of the most reliable engineers employed at the works, and 
superintends all repairs on engines about the plant. 

In 1885 Mr. Eberhard married Emma Bick, a daughter of William and Rachel 
Bick, and four children have blessed their union, namely; Charles F., born 
March 29, 1886; William, born December 15, 1887; Bertha, born June 25, 
1894; and Alfred, born July 18, 1897. Mrs. Eberhard was born in 1855. Mr. 
Eberhard is a Democrat. He has liberal ideas on the subject of religion, 
and he and his family attend various churches in the city. Fraternally his 
is affiliated with Fort Henry Lodge, No. 2, Shield of Honor; the A.O.U.W.; 
and the I.O.R.M. 



HENRY G. HOFFMANN, one of the prominent merchants of Wheeling, is also one 
of those typical German-Americans who have made a success of adopted 
conditions. He was born in Germany, July 5, 1869, and is a son of Gustave 
Hoffmann, also a native of Germany. 

Gustave Hoffmann was a merchant tailor by occupation, and in his native 
land married Miss Eckhart, a native of Germany. With the hope of enlarging 
his sphere in life he came to the United States in 1870, but did not long 
survive the changes from which he expected so much, for his death occurred 
at his home in Wheeling, in 1873. 

As the only child in his father's family, Henry G. Hoffmann enjoyed the 
average advantages in his youth, his education being acquired for the most 
part in the public schools. When old enough to assume responsibility, he 
began to work for the grocery firm of H. F. Behrens, and the fact that he 
remained with the firm fourteen years is a guarantee of his faithfulness 
and reliability. In 1894 he sought to benefit himself by independently 
applying his years of experience, and opened a store at No. 3527 Eoff 
street, in which locality he remained for two years with fairly good 
results from the time and labor expended. He then opened his present store 
at No. 3700 Jacob street, and his large and constantly increasing trade is 
still centered around this desirable business locality. A large stock of 
general merchandise is carried, and in his selections Mr. Hoffmann has 
consulted the needs and tastes of his many patrons. Off from the large and 
well kept store is a place for the storage of surplus goods. More 
ambitious than the average merchant, Mr. Hoffmann also has a general 
merchandise store at Viola, West Virginia, 18 miles from Wheeling, and 
this enterprise is on a successful and paying footing. It is estimated 
that the combined stocks carried amount to $6,000. 

On January 1, 1900, Mr. Hoffmann married Lizzie Bentz, who was born in 
Wheeling, in 1867. Mr. Hoffmann is a Republican in national politics, but 
believes in voting for the best man in elections of local importance. In 
the fraternal circles of Wheeling he is well and favorably known, and is 
identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Shield of 
Honor. With his wife, he is a member of the Third Presbyterian church. The 
business integrity, desire to please, and all around enterprise manifested 
by Mr. Hoffmann in all of his relations with the commercial public insure 
a continuation of his present popularity and success. 



THE CURTIS FAMILY, of West Liberty, West Virginia, descended from Sir 
James Curtis, of Wales, John Curtis, the head of this branch being a 
lineal descendant of Sir James. 

During the War of the American Revolution John Curtis served with 
distinction in the 1st Maryland Regiment as sergeant under Capt. Nathaniel 
Smith and Colonel Matross, from the spring of 1776 until the fall of 1779. 
He was wounded in action, for which he received a pension in his latter 
years. Early in the nineteenth century he changed his residence from 
Baltimore to West Liberty. He died at the latter place in 1843, at the age 
of ninety-three years, and was buried in that historic old graveyard at 
West Liberty where lie more heroes of all the wars of the country,--the 
Indian wars, War of the Revolution, War of 1812, Mexican War and Civil 
War,--than can be found in any other acre in the United States excepting 
the National Cemetery. 

John Curtis married Ealsy Wilkins, a descendant of Lord Wilkins. Their 
children, five in number, were: Josiah; George Washington; Priscilla; 
Ealsy; and Rachel. George Washington remained single during his life. 
Priscilla married James Woods, of Wheeling, Ealsy married Jesse Wheat, of 
Wheeling, and Rachel married James Darling. 

Josiah Curtis, son of John, married Hester Earnsparger, and their were: 
William Baker; Alice; Jacob E; and George Washington. Alice married 
William McFarland; Jacob E., Malissa Kerr, and for his second wife, Sarah 
Kerr; George Washington remained single. 

Jacob E. Curtis was in the mercantile business for some years at Bethany, 
and has served for years as a trustee of Bethany College. He is now a 
resident of Wellsburg and is the owner and editor of the Panhandle News. 

George Washington Curtis served during the Mexican War under Gen. Zachary 
Taylor, and afterward went west with the old "forty-niners," and while 
there took a hand with the "vigilantes" in clearing Jackson and Sutter 
Creek, California, of bad characters. He even made his way to Australia 
and the Fiji Islands,--cannibalism being rampant in the latter in those 
days,--and he and his partner lived in a hut with no white man nearer than 
50 miles. Before and at the outbreak of the Civil War he held a commission 
as a brigadier general in the Virginia Militia, western section, and was 
constantly planning, on paper, fortifications and the movement of troops. 
He was a student at Bethany College when the call to arms was sounded by 
North and South. After deliberating for days as to which side was right 
and which was wrong, and after he had been forced by the Home Guards of 
Wheeling to deliver up the arms of his old company at Bethany, and 
finally, after having been attacked one night in the street by two men who 
were employed as laborers on the new college building, he decided to cast 
his lot with the South, and immediately set out for Richmond, Virginia, 
where he enlisted as a private in the 23d Virginia Regiment, 3d Brigade. 
William B. Taliaferro commanding,--in "Stonewall" Jackson's command. He 
was speedily promoted to be a lieutenant, and almost immediately afterward 
was promoted to be a lieutenant colonel of the same regiment. In the "War 
of the Rebellion," official records of the Union and Confederate armies, 
his name is mentioned in various places: First, at Kernstown, Virginia, as 
being wounded in that battle. Second, engagement near McDowell, Virginia: 
"To Cols. &c., Curtis, 23d, my thanks are due for the gallantry they 
displayed and the coolness with which they directed the movements and fire 
of their men." - (William B. Taliaferro's report). Third, engagement at 
Port Republic, Virginia, June 13, 1862: "Colonel Curtis kept his command 
closed up and well in hand." Fourth, at the battle of Cedar (or Slaughter) 
Mountain, August 9, 1862, Col. A. G. Taliaferro in his report particularly 
mentions Lieutenant Colonel Curtis: "The 4th & 23d, Lieutenant Colonel 
Curtis, likewise fell back under my orders." *** Lieutenant Colonel 
Curtis, commanding 23d Regt., Va. Vol., fell mortally wounded while 
gallantly leading his men into action. He came to the regiment in 
September, 1861, from Brooke county, Virginia, a private, and a refugee 
from the tyrants of the Northwest, and in the reorganization he was called 
to the position he so gallantly filled." A fit testimonial by the officers 
to his gallantry and good conduct: "He has fallen far from his home and 
friends, but will long be remembered by all associated with him in the 
cause of liberty." Again,--same battle,--report of S. T. Walton, 
lieutenant colonel: "When in 400 yards of the enemy's line of fire was 
opened on them and continued for some time, when we were ordered to fall 
back a short distance (the 37th Va. having already done so) in order to be 
out of reach of a cross-fire upon our left flank, which was very close and 
very destructive. It (23d Va.) fell back in some confusion. It was during 
this retreat and while attempting to stop it that the lamented Lieutenant 
Colonel Curtis received his mortal wound." 

William Baker Curtis, a hero of the Civil War (Gen. William B. Curtis, 
better known in West Virginia as Colonel Curtis), a son of Josiah Curtis, 
was born April 18, 1821, at Sharpsburg, Maryland, on the now historic 
ground where the great battle of Antietam was fought. The family removed 
to West Liberty in 1832. William B. learned the cabinetmaker's trade, 
which he followed for some years, and then entered into mercantile 
business. In 1844 he married Hannah M. Montgomery, a lateral descendant of 
General Montgomery, who fell at Quebec. Twelve children,--four sons and 
eight daughters,--were the result of this marriage, viz: Josiah 
Montgomery; Eugene H.; Hester; Clinton K; William H. C.; Anna M.; Ella F.; 
Nancy L.; Caroline W.; Jessie L.; Alverda; and Maude O. 

Josiah Montgomery Curtis (Lieutenant, afterward Dr. J. Mont, Curtis), 
married Emma Walker; Eugene H., Fannie Cunningham; Clinton K., Mary Rose 
Vaughan, of Norfolk, Virginia; and for his second wife, Louise H. Perkins, 
of Norfolk, Virginia; William H. C., Jennie Shannon; Anna M., Rev. John 
Trussell; Ella F., Zach Springer; and Nancy L., Charles Jerome. The second 
wife of Clinton K. Curtis is a lineal descendant, on the maternal side, of 
Gen. Thomas Mathews, a hero of the War of the Revolution, who commanded 
Fort Nelson at Norfolk, Virginia, when forced by overwhelming numbers of 
the British to evacuate. He also served at the siege of Yorktown. On the 
paternal side she is the lineal descendant of Alexander Whitaker, who 
performed the marriage ceremony of Pocohontas. Resulting from this union 
of Clinton K. and Louise H. (Perkins) Curtis is one child, Cornelia 
Montgomery, born July 8, 1897. In 1848 William B. Curtis was elected 
justice and continued in office until 1862, when he entered the army. He 
was a firm supporter of the government at the outbreak of the Civil War, 
and was a member of the Wheeling convention which organized the Restored 
Government of Virginia in 1861. A price was set on the head of every 
member of that convention by the governor of the old state of Virginia. 
Each one cast his lot and his vote on the Union side risked his life, his 
property and his all, on what was then a doubtful result, yet that lot and 
that vote were cast fearlessly by William B. Curtis. August 21, 1861, he 
was commissioned captain of a company he had raised, and in 1862, when a 
call was made for 300,000 men, he recruited a company and took it to Camp 
Willey, where it was mustered into service as Company D, in the 12th West 
Virginia Regiment. He commanded this company until June 17, 1863, when he 
was promoted to be major. On January 26, 1864, he was promoted to be 
colonel, and in October, 1864, was given command of a brigade, consisting 
of the 1st, 4th and 12th West Virginia regiments. In December, 1864, the 
brigade was reorganized,--the 1st and 4th West Virginia regiments being 
withdrawn, and the 54th Pennsylvania and 23d Illinois (the latter 
Mulligan's old regiment) taking their places. This brigade did hard 
fighting until the close of the war, was in front of Richmond and 
Petersburg, and was in at the finish at Appomattox Court House. 

Thirteen battles fought, of greater or less severity, make up the war 
record of this fearless old soldier. At Winchester, New Market, Piedmont, 
Lynchburg, Snicker's Ferry (or Ford), Kernstown, Cedar Creek, Opequon, 
Fisher's Hill and Hatcher's Run, in front of Richmond and Petersburg, but 
above all, at Fort Gregg, he was the leader not only in rank of his 
brigade but also in fact. He served under the brilliant and glorious Phil. 
Sheridan throughout the great campaign of 1864, in the Shenandoah Valley. 

Grant in his "Personal Memoirs" calls the assault on Fort Gregg, in front 
of Petersburg, Virginia, "desperate." In this assault 715 officers and men 
were killed and wounded on Sunday, April 2, 1865, yet William B. Curtis 
with his brigade, captured the Fort. His old regiment, the 12th West 
Virginia, had three color-bearers killed in planting the flag in the 
works. After he had ordered the charge, General Foster, commanding the 
division, regarded its success as impossible and ordered a halt, but that 
order was too late, and no halt was made; the brigade had started in to 
capture the Fort and it did it,--the men rushing through chevaux-de-frise 
and ditch and throwing themselves on their faces against the sandy fronts 
of the ramparts. General Foster remarked when they refused to about face,--
"Well, go on, you will all be killed anyway." 

The corps commander, General Gibbon, called the assault on Fort Gregg,--
"If not the most desperate, one of the most desperate assaults of the 
whole Civil War." Some days after, at a grand review at Richmond, one 
officer and two privates were called to step four paces in front of the 
line of troops. A general order was read commending them for conspicuous 
personal gallantry in the assault, and soon afterward bronze medals were 
presented them by Congress, with the inscription,--"Presented by the 
Congress of the United States for gallantry and meritorious conduct in 
battle at Fort Gregg, Va., April 2d, 1865." The officer who was called to 
the front was that brave and fearless soldier, Lieut. Josiah Montgomery 
Curtis, a son of General Curtis. 

For that part that he took, the colonel's eagles upon the shoulder straps 
of Colonel Curtis were replaced by the general's stars by the President of 
the United States. The official record of the promotion in the War 
Department reads:--"For gallant conduct in the capture of Fort Gregg, Va., 
April 2d, 1865." 

General Curtis' old regiment, the 12th West Virginia, for the part it 
took, was presented with a bronze eagle to surmount the flag staff. It 
bears this inscription:--"Presented to the 12th Regiment, West Virginia 
Vol. Infantry, by their corps commander, Gen. John Gibbon, for gallant 
conduct in the assault upon Fort Gregg, near Fort Gregg, near Petersburg, 
Va., April 2d, 1865." 

Richmond was immediately evacuated when Fort Gregg was taken, and Lee 
began his retreat toward Appomattox Court House. General Curtis' brigade 
followed in pursuit of Lee and marched 35 miles on April 8th to get 
support from Sheridan, who was in front of Lee with cavalry. General 
Curtis was present, witnessed the surrender, and had the honor of 
receiving the arms and colors the first day. After this he returned to 
Richmond with his command, and was discharged with his old regiment, the 
12th West Virginia, at Wheeling, at Wheeling, June 20, 1865. 

He was elected as a delegate from Ohio county to the legislature in 1866 
and served one term. In 1870 and 1871 he was warden of the West Virginia 
Penitentiary at Moundsville. He was aide to the department commander of 
the G.A.R., of West Virginia, in 1887 and 1888, and was aide on the grand 
commander's staff of G.A.R. in 1988 and 1989. 

General Curtis was one of the most capable and serviceable soldiers of the 
Republic. When the Union was in danger he went to the front without 
hesitation, throwing himself into the contest with unsurpassed patriotic 
fervor. He was ready for any duty assigned him, and quickly won the regard 
and confidence of his superiors. 

He had the rare faculty of attaching those he led to himself in unwavering 
confidence, and in that enthusiastic, affectionate, personal regard 
without which no military captain of any degree can be a success. In time 
of peace he was a man of peace. When war came he became a soldier. When 
peace returned again, he returned to the paths of peace. He was a splendid 
type of the citizen-soldier, and his modesty was as conspicuous as his 
gallantry. 

He died at West Liberty, August 25, 1891, from disease contracted while in 
the army. At the end of his "three score years and ten," he left a memory 
to be revered, honored and cherished by all who knew him, and perpetuated 
in the history of a grateful country. 

Josiah Montgomery Curtis, the eldest sun of General Curtis, was a student 
at the West Liberty Academy when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted as a 
private in the company his father had recruited,--Company D, 12th West 
Virginia,--and served side by side with him in all the battles (13) from 
Winchester to Fort Gregg, and up to the surrender of Lee at Appomattox 
Court House. He was promoted to be a lieutenant in the latter part of the 
war, and was an acting aide on his father's staff at the battle of Fort 
Gregg. After the third color-bearer had been killed in the attempt to 
plant the flag on the fort, Lieutenant Curtis seized and held the flag 
there. He had gone into the charge in the front rank of the regiment, and, 
brandishing his sword, cheered the men onward. He escaped unhurt, but 
received two bullet holes in his coat, and a cannon shot from Fort 
Whitworth, or one of the other Confederate batteries, passed between him 
and the flag-staff he held planted, tearing away a portion of the tail of 
his coat. For this act of daring gallantry he was, as before mentioned, 
commended in the general orders published at a grand review of the troops, 
at Richmond, and was presented by the Congress of the United States with a 
bronze medal. 

At the close of the war he was discharged from the service with his old 
regiment, the 12th West Virginia, at Wheeling, June 20, 1865. Upon 
returning to civil life, he pursued the study of medicine, and graduated 
with first honors at the Miami College in Cincinnati. He practiced his 
profession at Pleasant Valley and at Moundsville, West Virginia. 

He was honored and esteemed by all who knew him, and his name goes down to 
future generations in the history of his country as one of its glorious 
heroes. The G.A.R. post at West Liberty is named, in honor to his memory, 
"The J. Mont. Curtis Post of the G.A.R." His name is one among the few 
which appear in the book, "Uncle Sam's Medal of Honor," for conspicuous 
personal gallantry in battle during the Civil War. In this book his 
portrait is given and his daring act of bravery at Fort Bragg is 
described. 

Eugene H. Curtis, the second son, now a resident of Bethany, has been 
engaged in mercantile business at various places since the close of the 
Civil War. During that war, and while going from Harper's Ferry to 
Winchester to join his father, he was captured by Moseby's command and 
sent a prisoner to Richmond. He remained a prisoner for some months, being 
confined in Libby Prison and at Belle Isle before his exchange was 
effected. 

Clinton K. Curtis (now Commander Curtis, U. S. Navy), the third son of 
General Curtis, was born April 25, 1849, at West Liberty, and was too 
young for service during the Civil War, although at the age of fourteen 
years he led a small squad in pursuit of Morgan when he made his famous 
raid through Ohio. He received an appointment and entered the U. S. Naval 
Academy, September 27, 1865, passed, a star member, from the second to the 
first class, in 1868, and graduated June 10, 1869. While at the academy, 
Admiral David D. Porter was the superintendent, and Cadet Curtis had among 
his instructors Admiral Dewey and Rear Admiral's Schley and Sampson. He 
went on a special cruise to Europe and South America on the old frigate 
"Sabine" immediately after graduation, and was promoted to the rank of 
ensign in June, 1870. He served on the "Pawnee" and monitor "Dictator" in 
1871. He was assigned to special service with the "Powhatan" on the 
Atlantic Coast in 1872. He was promoted to be master (now called junir 
lieutenant) in November, 1872. He served on the "Supply" in 1873, and 
again on the "Powhatan" in 1874 and 1876, during which time he commanded 
the monitors "Montauk," "Catskill" and "Nantucket" in transferring these 
vessels to various ports along the Atlantic coast. He was promoted to be 
lieutenant in June, 1876. He served on the receiving ship "Worcester" in 
1876 and 1877, and on the Essex," south Atlantic Station, from 1877 to 
1879, under Commander, now Rear Admiral, W. S. Schley. He served on the 
old battleship New Hampshire" in 1880 and 1881, and on the "Franklin," on 
which Farragut made his last cruise, from 1881 to 1883. He served on the 
"Alert," China Station, from 1883 to 1886, during which time he helped to 
survey the Kuhm and Mok Po rivers in Corea. He cruised all along the coast 
of Japan, China, Siam and as far south as Sumatra, stopping in at every 
place where a landing could be made. Returning from China, he served on 
the receiving ship "St. Loius" and on the "Franklin" from 1887 to 1890, 
and again on the "Essex," South Atlantic Station, from 1890 to 1893. He 
was on shore duty in the U. S. Navy Yard at Norfolk, Virginia, from 1893 
to 1896. He was on the monitor "Terror" from April to December, 1896, and 
on the "Bennington," Pacific Station, as executive officer, from December, 
1896, to June, 1898. He was on that vessel at Honolulu, Hawaiin Islands, 
when war with Spain was declared. He made every effort to be transferred 
to the immediate scene of hostilities, but as some one had to guard the 
Pacific Coast, he was kept on that side to do the duty, along with all 
others who were so unfortunate as to be on that side of the United States 
when war was declared. Returning to San Francisco on the "Bennington" in 
June, 1898, he was detached from that vessel and given command of the 
"Albatross" and the auxiliary fleet of eight vessels for the protection of 
the Pacific Coast. He patrolled the coast from Alaska to San Diego, 
California, during the remainder of the war. He served on shore duty at 
the Mare Island and Norfolk navy yards from October, 1898, to April, 1900. 
He commanded the "Vixen," North Atlantic Station, from April, 1900, to 
September, 1901, during which time he surveyed the harbors of Ports Padre 
and Tanamo, on the northeast coast of Cuba. He was promoted to be a 
lieutenant-commander on February 6, 1898, and to be a commander, December, 
11, 1900. He is now (December, 1901) on shore duty at the U. S. Navy Yard 
at Norfolk, Virginia. 

William H. C. Curtis, the fourth son of the General, attended the law 
department of the West Virginia at Morgantown, and follows the practice of 
his profession in Ohio county. He is a remarkably fine public speaker, 
being blessed with the gift of oratory. 

Of the four daughters of General Curtis, who graduated at the West Liberty 
State Normal School,--Ella F., Caroline W., Alverda and Maude O.,--the 
first three, in succession, took the first honors upon graduation. 
Caroline W. also took the four years' Chatauqua course and graduated. She 
afterward attended Professor King's Elocution College, at Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania, and graduated there in 1895. She has since taken special 
courses ay Cornell University. She is now (December, 1901), and has been 
several years, the first assistant teacher of the West Liberty State 
Normal School. 



J. L. SAWTELL, a scion of one of the old and prominent families of Ohio 
county, West Virginia, is a well known real estate dealer and insurance 
agent of Wheeling. He was born on the old homestead on Short Creek, seven 
miles northeast of Wheeling, in Ohio county, and is a son of George 
Sawtell. 

George Sawtell was born in Somersetshire, England, in 1804, and came of an 
old English family, his uncle having had a command under Wellington during 
the battle of Waterloo. He came to America in 1820, at the age of sixteen 
years, with his father, John Sawtell, who died one year later, in 1821. 
They came in a sailing vessel and were seven weeks out of sight of land. 
George Sawtell purchased three tracts of land in Ohio county from Benjamin 
Mills, who was assignee of his father, Levi Mills. There were 256 acres in 
the estate, and he was engaged in farming throughout his active life, 
dying in the fall of 1893. He held various offices, such as justice of the 
peace, etc., and was overseer of the poor many years. J. L. Sawtell now 
has in his possession some very old and interesting papers which give the 
transfer and title of the land as his father obtained it. One is on 
sheepskin, bears date of May 25, 1802,and is signed by Gov. James Monroe, 
of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The writing on the document, which was 
executed in Richmond, Virginia, and conveys a tract of 128 acres, is most 
plain. The other, dated July 7, 1816, is signed by Gov. Wilson C. 
Nicholas, of Virginia, the tract conveyed consisting of 24 3/4 acres. 
George Sawtell married Eliza Goss a daughter of Gilbert Goss, born and 
reared at Marietta, Ohio. Prior to their marriage Mr. Sawtell had 
frequently driven down the river on the ice to Marietta; the trip was 
attended by great danger, but was shorter and more convenient. Mrs. 
Sawtell died in 1892, in her seventy-fifth year. Although both lived to 
reach a ripe old age, neither was confined to bed more than a few days 
prior to their death. They reared 11 children, eight of whom are living, 
as follows: W. D., who is in the sewing machine business in New Orleans, 
Louisiana; G. F., a farmer of Kansas; S. M. and H. C. (twins), who are 
farmers in Iowa; Mary A. (Gregg), of Baltimore, Maryland; Ann Elizabeth, 
wife of S. T. Hooton, a postoffice inspector, of Baltimore, Maryland; J. 
L.; and Eliz E., wife of J. E. Hooton, an attorney of Moundsville. Of 
those deceased, J. R. and G. G. Sawtell died after reaching maturity, and 
Maria L. at the age of fourteen years. 

J. L. Sawtell lived on the old homestead until the spring of 1895, when he 
removed to Wheeling, where he has since been engaged in the real estate 
business with uninterrupted success. He married Isabelle Garden, who was 
born on North Main street, Wheeling, in 1853, and is a daughter of T. J. 
Garden. They have two children, A. L. and Anna Drusilla, the latter being 
in the high school. A. L. Sawtell was born on the old homestead in 1876, 
and graduated, in 1895, with honors, from the West Liberty State Normal 
School in the academic and normal departments. He graduated in the 
academic and law departments of the West Virginia University with the 
degree of A. B. L., in 1899, and was admitted to the bar of Ohio county in 
the summer of that year. He has displayed eloquence as an orator upon more 
than one occasion, and in 1899 won the gold medal in the oratorical 
contest at Morgantown. 

Politically, J. L. Sawtell is a Democrat. He and his son are members of 
A.O.U.W., and are past master workmen. At the college the latter belonged 
to the Greek letter fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi. Religiously, the Sawtell 
family have always been Methodists, but J. L. Sawtell favors the 
Presbyterian church, of which his wife has been a member for years. Mrs. 
Sawtell's father was from Scotland, and her mother from France. They 
reside at No. 26 Thirteenth street. 



JOHN H. ARTHUR. A life into which has been crowded much of worthy 
accomplishment, and one which is entitled to emulation on the part of 
those who would exalt citizenship, is that of John H. Arthur, weigher at 
the city scales on the corner of Seventeenth and McCulloch streets, whose 
portrait is herewith shown. A native of County Cornwall, England, Mr. 
Arthur is descended from an honest and rugged ancestry, and was born 
September 5, 1829. His parents, William and Mary Arthur, were also natives 
of England, and died at the age of eighty and seventy years, respectively. 
The father was a farmer in County Cornwall, and was supervisor of the 
parish roads. In the little hedge-surrounded, ivy-decorated cemetery, in 
England, attached to the Established church of their parish, are the 
graves of these honored parents, together with that of their daughter, 
Elizabeth, who was the mother of seven children. 

Of the children born to William and Mary Arthur, besides Elizabeth,--John 
H. being the second and only surviving child,--William, the eldest, came 
to America in 1848, and engaged business until the breaking out of the 
Civil War. Inflamed with patriotism he enlisted in 1861 in Company C, 22nd 
Reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., and served with courage not surpassed by any of the 
country's native-born sons. He participated in the battles of Island No. 
10, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and many others of equal importance, and met 
the death of a heroic soldier, December 31, 1862, at the battle of Red 
Mound, Tennessee. At that time he was fighting under General Thomas, and 
after being fatally wounded and left on the field, his body was secured 
and buried by the Union forces. 

The boyhood of John H. Arthur was devoid of much of the cheer which we are 
wont to associate with youth, for, at the early age of eight years, it 
became his duty to assist in the support of the family. It is his pride 
that up to the present time he has never called a halt upon the industry 
begun while a lad, for ceaseless energy and conscientious devotion to all 
tasks set before him have characterized his entire life. With his brother, 
William, he came to America in 1848, and arrived in Wheeling September 
10th of the same year. He at once embarked in coal mining and continued 
thus until forced by an accident to seek other channels of activity. His 
foot was caught in the falling roof of a mine, and at first it was 
supposed that amputation of that member would be sufficient for healing 
purposes. Acute inflammation, however, set in, and at the end of three 
weeks of intense suffering in the part of the patient, it was deemed 
necessary to amputate the leg below the knee. Thus handicapped, Mr. Arthur 
waited until time made it possible for him to work again, and as a 
congenial effort to gain a livelihood, he started a little grocery store 
in Marshall county. This was continued until 1863, when he disposed of his 
store and moved to Wheeling. Here he again became interested in coal 
mining, and went to Manchester, where he ran a mine for three years. He 
was afterward weigher for the mine about five years. A later venture was 
the purchase of a horse and cart with which he worked on the street until 
1881, at which time he was elected lockup-keeper, and held that office for 
ten years. For the following four years, he served as watchman at the work 
house, and obtained his present position in May, 1900. 

September 15, 1851, Mr. Arthur married Bridget Farley, a native of County 
Cavan, Ireland, who, in February, 1901, was sixty-nine years of age. Nine 
children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur, six of whom are living, 
namely: Mary; William; John; Elizabeth; Margaret; and James. Mary, who is 
now Mrs. James Lawther, has four children living, namely: James; 
Elizabeth; Catherine; and Margaret. William, who married Minnie Younkers 
for his second wife, has had six children, namely: John; Maria; Helen; 
Lee; Mary; and one who died in infancy. By his former marriage with Alice 
Murphy, who died about 1891, he has four children, viz: Martha; Margaret; 
Grace; and Alice, deceased. John, who is a molder by occupation, is 
exceedingly popular in Wheeling, because of his courtesy, geniality, and 
all around good fellowship. Elizabeth and Margaret are at home, and James 
married Mary McClain, but has no children. The deceased children are: 
Julia, who died at the age of twenty-five years; Thomas, who lived to be 
twenty-four years of age and Joseph, who died when one and a half years 
old. The Arthur family are devout members of the Roman Catholic church. 
Mr. Arthur is widely known in Wheeling, and is esteemed for his 
unblemished personal integrity, his financial honesty and for his large-
hearted humanitarian sympathy. 



THE WHEELING STEEL & IRON COMPANY, whose extensive operations class it 
among the foremost concerns in the steel and iron industry in the United 
States, was formed by the consolidation of the Benwood, Belmont and Top 
mills and the Wheeling Steel works, and was incorporated April 16, 1892. 
The founding and development of the component plants of this corporation 
are as follows: 

The Missouri Iron Works, Wheeling's first iron mill, were built in 1834, 
by Philip Shoenberger and David Agnew, and were located on a portion of 
the present site of the Top Mill. They were operated with varying success 
until 1857, never having more than 14 nail machines. In 1847 E. M. Norton 
and others organized the Virginia Mill, for the purpose of manufacturing 
nails exclusively. It was located on the present site of the Baltimore & 
Ohio Railroad depot, and started with 40 machines. It was subsequently 
moved to Benwood, affording the railroad company more room. The new mill 
was sold under a decree of the court in 1864, and reorganized as the 
Benwood Iron Works, E. M. Norton serving as president. About this time 
Cyrus Mendenhall entered the company, and it thus acquired his blast 
furnace and 50 acres of land at Martin's Ferry, Ohio. In 1883 a monster 
union steel plant, intended to furnish nail slabs for their factories at 
Wheeling, was contemplated, and nearly all the corporations secured 
amendments to their charter, permitting them to invest in incidental 
industries. The Benwood company had projected and begun a plant of this 
kind for its own use, but before much progress had been made in its 
construction the Belmont and Top mills were enlisted in the project. The 
original plans were changed and the capacity enlarged, and in August, 
1886, the first steel was made by this concern, which was known as the 
Wheeling Steel Works. The plant is very advantageously situated with 
respect to transportation facilities, being located near the south end of 
Benwood, about 200 yards north of the railroad bridge, and between the 
lines of the Baltimore & Ohio and Ohio River railroads. The various 
buildings are of iron, and are equipped with the best machinery obtainable 
for the production of soft steel of a high quality. The capacity is 700 
tons per day. The works are well supplied with railroad tracks for 
receiving raw material and shipping steel, the corporation owning three 
locomotives to handle the rolling stock. This is one of the finest 
Bessemer steel plants in the country. 

The Belmont Mill was started in 1849, when E. M. Norton and others 
withdrew from the Virginia Mill. Mr. Norton, with William Bailey, S. H. 
Woodward, Henry Wallace, C. B. Doty, Holstein Harden, F. D. Norton, 
William Hay, Hugh McGiven and John Wright formed a partnership under the 
name of Norton, Bailey & Company, and bought from Joseph Caldwell for $1,
600 two acres of land, on which they built a mill with 18 nail machines. 
Operations were begun in the fall of 1849 with E. M. Norton as president 
and William Bailey as manager. Henry Moore was admitted as a partner about 
that time. Important improvements, relating to the handling of iron, 
introduced just at this juncture, made this an auspicious time to 
establish a nail factory. The Belmont Mill, under skillful management and 
with its new processes, had two years of notable success. Messrs. Bailey 
and Woodward and a number of others sold their interests in the Belmont 
Mill to Henry Moore and started the LaBelle Iron Works in 1852. The firm 
of the Belmont Mill then became Norton, Acheson & Company. Joseph Bell 
became actively connected with the firm in 1853, and by the year 1860 the 
mill had increased its capacity to 80 machines. In the year 1863 the 
partnership arrangement of the company expired by limitation, and the mill 
property was sold at public auction for $127,000, Henry McCullough, of 
Pittsburg, being the purchaser. The company was reorganized under the 
title of McCullough, Acheson & Company. M. B. Cox also at this time became 
a member of the company, and after a brief existence the title of the 
company was changed to Robert Lehr & Company, and still later to the 
Belmont Iron Works, with Henry Moore as president. In the fall of 1865 the 
title was again changed to the Belmont Nail Works Company, under which 
operations continued until June 30, 1879. In 1874, 110 machines were in 
operation, and it was the largest factory in Wheeling, and the third, in 
size, in the United States. In the fall of 1872 the company commenced a 
blast furnace, which was completed in the spring of 1874. It was a model 
of its kind and stands on the river front, near the mill, in the sixth 
ward of Wheeling, on the Baltimore & Ohio, Ohio River and Cleveland, 
Lorain & Wheeling railroads. The present plant, which occupies two full 
blocks on Main street, between Twenty-fifth and Twenty-seventh streets, 
has 152 machines, and an annual capacity of 350,000 kegs of steel nails 
and spikes. It was one of the first companies to resume work after the 
strike of 1885. 

The Top Mill, or the Wheeling Iron & Nail Company, is located in North 
Wheeling on the site of the first iron works established in the city. A 
few years after its inception Mr. Agnew succeeded to the business of the 
firm, and conducted it until 1840, when he failed in business. The mill 
was taken by the former manager, Mr. Grassemer, and the head bookkeeper, 
Mr. Tallant, who were succeeded by E. W. Stevens, in 1845. The latter came 
here from Pittsburg and enlarged the nail department of the plant. He 
induced the Norton brothers to come to Wheeling. The mill was still owned 
by Mr. Shoenberger, and later Johnson, Sweeney & Company and other firms 
operated it. It was burned to the ground in 1857, and the last named firm 
failed. It never had more than 14 nail machines, and its capacity was 700 
kegs of nails per week. In the early days of the War of the Rebellion the 
Belmont company leased the mill and it was occupied for several years in 
the manufacture of gunboat plates. The Shoenberger heirs sold the mill in 
1864 to Acheson, Bell & Company for $44,000, the purchase including about 
50 acres of land, with a river frontage of three-quarters of a mile. The 
new owners added the manufacture of bar iron, and a site for a nail 
factory was also secured by grading out the side of a hill. In 1865 the 
mill suffered from a disastrous boiler explosion. The same year Moses B. 
Cox and the Brockunier brothers were added to the firm, and in 1866 the 
Wheeling Iron & Nail Works were established. The nail factory was 
enlarged, and by the end of that year was running 40 machines. In 1869 
there was somewhat of a change in the ownership of the concern, and the 
company was reorganized with John P. Gilchrist as president; C. D. 
Hubbard, secretary; and Adam Dodson, vice-president. In September, 1871, 
the mill was entirely destroyed by fire, but preparations were at once 
made for rebuilding, the company remodeling the entire plan of the works. 
All the latest improvements in machinery and arrangement of the 
departments were adopted, and every defect which experience had pointed 
out was remedied in the construction of the new works. By the summer of 
1872 the mill was ready to resume operations with 105 machines. In 1878 a 
blast furnace was completed and was developed to a daily capacity of 100 
tons of pig iron. The officers of the company prior to the incorporation 
of the Wheeling Steel & Iron Company were C. Russell Hubbard, president; 
Henry H. Hornbrook, vice-president; and Hon. C. D. Hubbard, secretary. 
These gentlemen, with Messrs. John P. Gilchrist, George K. Wheat, William 
A. Isett and Dr. T. H. Logan, composed the board of directors. The Top 
Mill occupies over six acres of ground, and all its buildings are most 
substantial. A valuable coal tract is included in its property, although 
natural gas is the fuel utilized in the entire plant of the Wheeling Steel 
& Iron Company. The Wheeling Steel & Iron Company was formed April 16, 
1892, and C. Russell Hubbard was elected president, and Joseph Dorsey 
DuBois, secretary, on August 21, 1892. Frank W. Bowers was elected 
secretary in April, 1899. The directors are C. Russell Hubbard, William F. 
Stifel, George K. Wheat, Joseph Dorsey DuBois, George Wise, A. J. Clarke, 
Edward Hazlett, Henrey H. Hornbrook and William A. Isett. The general 
offices of the company are at No. 11 Fourteenth street, and all business 
is directed from this office. 



MARTIN SCHMIDT, a well-known retail grocer of Wheeling, West Virginia, 
whose store is located at No. 48 Eleventh street, was born in Germany in 
1836. In 1854 he came to America, locating in Wheeling, West Virginia. He 
had learned the trade of a plasterer in his native country, but never 
followed the trade after coming to the United States. He at first engaged 
at work in a saw and rolling mill, spending thirty-three years at work in 
the latter. He worked a number of years in the Belmont Iron Works' Top 
Mill, and for fifteen years was with the Riverside Iron Works, being 
employed as a heater. 

In 1886 Mr. Schmidt engaged in the grocery business at his present 
location. He had but little experience in this business, but by hard work 
and close application to his business he has been very successful. He 
handles all kinds of staple and fancy goods, and is ably assisted by his 
daughter, who attends to the books and assists in clerking. A deliveryman 
is also employed. 

Mr. Schmidt married Catherine Milliger, a daughter of Jacob Milliger, and 
they have several children, namely: George H. P., of the firm of George E. 
Stifel & Company; Addie L.,; Katie, the wife of Otto Schenk, of Wheeling; 
Emma Louise, who is at home; Harry engaged with George E. Stifel & 
Company, Lillie, who assists her father in the store; Arthur, who is 
general bookkeeper in the National Exchange Bank of Wheeling; and John 
Albert, who is employed in the store of George E. Stifel & Company. 

Politically, Mrs. Schmidt is a Republican, and cast his first vote for 
Abraham Lincoln. He is a member of the German Lutheran Evangelical church. 
He has always lived in Wheeling, with the exception of three years spent 
at Steubenville, Ohio. 



JACOB SNYDER, SR., deceased, was the founder of the well-known 
establishment now conducted by the firm of Jacob Snyder's Sons. It is the 
largest wholesale house of its kind west of the Allegheny Mountains, and 
deals in heavy hardware, iron and steel, carriage materials and general 
blacksmith supplies. He was born July 19, 1828, in Alsace, then a province 
of France, and now of Germany, and was a son of Jacob Snyder. 

Joseph Snyder fought under Napoleon from the Italian campaign until the 
battle of Waterloo, in which he was wounded. He was a glass-blower by 
trade, and in 1832 came to this country with his family. They landed in 
Baltimore, Maryland, thence removed to Wheeling and later to Pittsburg. He 
was for a time engaged in the glass business with Mr. Hays. He died in 
1868, at the age of seventy-seven years. 

In 1837 Jacob Snyder began to learn the trade of a glass-blower, at which 
he worked until 1841, when he learned the trade of a puddler in the in the 
Shoenberger Rolling Mill. In 1848 he aided in the building of an iron mill 
in Kittanning, and returned to Pittsburg in 1850. He came to Wheeling in 
1853, and went to work as puddler in the old Belmont Mill. He became a 
stockholder in the concern, and assistant manager of the plant, under Fred 
Norton, general manager. Mr. Snyder afterward succeeded Mr. Norton as 
general manager, and in 1866 sold his interests to the Belmont Nail 
Company, transferring his interest to the Benwood Iron Company, the old 
Top Mill, the Norway Iron Works, and the Bellefont Iron Works, in Ironton, 
Ohio. In 1869 he engaged in the wholesale iron, steel and heavy hardware 
trade at the corner of Main and Fourteenth streets, and later moved across 
the street, where he carried on a large and successful business for 
several years. In 1880 he erected a handsome building at Nos. 1422 and 
1424 Main street. He was interested with M. Reilley and John H. Hobbs in 
the St. James Hotel property. He was also a stockholder in the German Bank 
of Wheeling, and interested in the Central Glass Company and the West 
Virginia Tobacco Company. Mr. Snyder was united in marriage with Mary Jane 
Hughes, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, who died in 1889. Of the ten children 
born to them, six are still living. Mr. Snyder was a Republican in 
politics. He died March 18, 1897, at the age of sixty-nine years. 

The establishment of Jacob Snyder's Sons was first located at the corner 
of Fourteenth and Main streets, where the Wheeling News is now located. In 
1880 the present building, with dimensions of 50 by 150 feet, was erected; 
it was the second iron-front building put up in the city. It is a very 
substantial brick structure, and consists of four floors and a basement. 
With its increased facilities, the business of this firm grew rapidly and 
became the largest of its kind between the cities of New York and St. 
Louis, its patronage being from Ohio, Maryland, Kentucky, West Virginia 
and the western part of Virginia. The company is ably represented on the 
road by Jacob and George Snyder, William Berkle and Lee Hamm. The firm 
purchased the establishments of Mr. Hildreth and Schmulbach, Hanke, & 
Company. Benjamin Snyder is the active manager of the business, and George 
W. and Jacob Snyder, Jr., look after the outside interests. H. A. 
Seabright, who has been connected with the house as accountant for the 
past fourteen years, is most proficient in that department of the work. 
George W. Snyder was born in Pittsburg, February 21, 1852, and makes his 
headquarters and home at Cumberland, Maryland, where he was married to 
Mollie Richards. They have three children, as follows: Fanny, Jessie and 
Ethel. 

Jacob Snyder, Jr., was born at Wheeling, April 14, 1860. In 1882 he was 
joined in marriage with Isabella Greer, a daughter of David Greer, who was 
formerly general manager of the Center Foundry. They reside at No.726 Main 
street, Wheeling, and have three children, namely: Bessie Jepson, J. 
Harold and Isabella G. Politically, Mr. Snyder has been very active, and 
has always been a Republican. He was secretary of the congressional 
committee and chairman of the city executive committee. 

Benjamin F. Snyder was born at Wheeling, December 27, 1857, and in 1877 
was united in marriage with Sarah Vees, by whom he has five children, 
namely: George V., William, Alfred, Marry and Benjamin, Jr. Like their 
father, the three sons have varied and important business interests, being 
identified with banks, glass works and other industries. Benjamin F. and 
Jacob Snyder are largely interested in the new opera house at Wheeling. 
They are all men of rare business ability, and are public spirited 
citizens. 



HENRY C. PETERMANN, notary public, and justice of the peace of Madison 
district since his first election to that office in 1881, is a resident of 
the Island, which comprises one ward of the city of Wheeling, West 
Virginia. Mr. Petermann's location as a magistrate is No. 15 Florida 
street, where his residence also is, and his notarial office is at No.42 
Fourteenth street, where it has been located for the past twenty years. 
Besides his business in general notary work, a large amount of pension 
work is also done by him, and he is a very busy man. Mr. Petermann was 
born in Leipzig, Germany, August 6, 1838. His father was a prominent 
military man of the old country and is long since deceased. His mother is 
still living in Leipzig, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. 

July 3, 1851, shortly before his thirteenth birthday, young Petermann was 
sent across the ocean to America. Comparatively alone, he landed at New 
York City and proceeded to make his way to Cincinnati, where he had an 
uncle, who obtained employment for him. He worked several years for Jacob 
Fell on Main street, of that city, between Eighth and Ninth streets, and 
when that gentleman discontinued business, Mr. Petermann worked for Mr. 
Ehlers a short time in the leather business. 

About 1856, in company with David A. Guerney, he went west to Peoria, 
Illinois, and was in that gentleman's employ for about one year. He 
returned to Cincinnati the following year, on account of having fever and 
ague almost constantly in Illinois. 

Shortly after his return from Illinois, Mr. Petermann went to Pittsburg, 
Pennsylvania, and was engaged in various occupations until 1860, having in 
the meantime studied law for a while with Thomas Marshall, a prominent 
lawyer of that city. Although not a native-born American citizen, Mr. 
Petermann showed a true spirit of patriotism and proved his loyalty to the 
country of his adoption by responding to the first call for volunteers, 
during the Civil War. He enlisted under Capt. J. H. Foster, in Company A, 
13th Regiment reorganized. Mr. Petermann served until the latter part of 
the war, but was taken sick in the South and incapacitated for further 
service. 

Returning to Pittsburg, he in time regained his health, and engaged in 
various business pursuits, working nine years in the Pennsylvania stock 
yards. He was also associated with Mr. Lannahan in the liquor business, 
and was interested in the iron industries. In 1874 he came to Wheeling, 
West Virginia, where he worked at various occupations until he was elected 
justice of the peace. 

While at Pittsburg, Mr. Petermann was joined in marriage with Mary 
Limegrover, a native of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. Three daughters 
and one son blessed this union, and all have long since reached maturity. 
They are,--Josephine, Ida M., Lulu Louisa, and John McPherson. Josephine 
married D. A. Taylor, an employee of Ott Brothers & Company, of Wheeling; 
they have four children,--Catherine, Morgan Ott, Virginia and Eleanor. 
Ida married Robert B. Burt, who is deceased. Mrs. Burt conducts the Island 
Pharmacy, which was her husband's business prior to his death; she has two 
children,--Virginia and Charles P. Lulu Louisa married H. F. Cimiott, Jr., 
of Pittsburg, who travels for a woolen house; they have three sons,--
Harry C., Stanley M., and George. John McPherson, the only son of Mr. 
Petermann and his estimable wife, is a resident of Wheeling, and a 
prominent salesman in the mercantile establishment of House & Herrmann. 

Politically Mr. Petermann is a Republican, having cast his first 
presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, at the time of his first election. 
He was formerly a member of the G.A.R. and the Union Veteran Legion. He 
has served as secretary of the assessment board, and proves his worth as a 
good citizen in many ways. He has one sister living in Berlin (Prussia), 
Germany. 



GEORGE H. P. SCHMIDT, who is a member of the firm known as George E. 
Stifel & Company, dealers in dry goods in Wheeling, West Virginia, was 
born at Steubenville, Ohio, in 1860, and is a son of Martin and Catherine 
(Milliger) Schmidt. Martin Schmidt is engaged in the grocery business at 
No. 48 Eleventh street, in Wheeling. 

George H. P. Schmidt, the subject of this sketch, was reared and schooled 
in Wheeling, to which city his parents had removed in 1861. At the age of 
thirteen years he entered the dry goods business, and was clerk a short 
time for John Roemer. He was then engaged as clerk for C. T. Brues for a 
period of three or four years, after which he attended business college in 
Wheeling. He completed his course there, and was afterward engaged in 
various enterprises until 1878, when he entered the employ of George E. 
Stifel & Company. He became a partner in this firm in 1897. Mr. Schmidt is 
a self-made man in every sense of the word, as he began work for himself 
when very young, and has made his own way in the world since he was 
thirteen years old. 

Mr. Schmidt married Emma Weber, of Wheeling, and has four children, 
namely: Alma; Herbert; Ida and Margaret. He has an attractive farm at Elm 
Grove, where his family reside. The subject of this sketch is a 
Republican. He is a member and trustee of the German Evangelical Lutheran 
church. 



DR. JOHN R. MANLEY, one of the foremost physicians and surgeons, whose 
excellent reputation and professional honor and skill has been acquired 
through a general practice in Wheeling, is also a proprietor of a fine 
drug store at No. 2928 Chapline street. 

John R. Manley is a son of Miles K. and Helen A. (Drumhether) Manley, and 
was born in Augusta county, Virginia, November 30, 1859. His father was 
born in Virginia in 1829 and is successfully engaged in agricultural 
pursuits at Buckhannon, West Virginia. His mother was a native of 
Albemarle county, Virginia, and was born in 1828. Our subject was one of a 
family of 12 children, as follows: Frank, Hester A., William, Arthur, 
Silas and an infant, all deceased; and James H., Edward, Thomas, Rebecca 
M., all of whom reside in Buckhannon; Ransom M., who is a resident of 
Wheeling, as is also our subject, who is the last of the 12. 

Dr. Manley left Augusta county and came to Ohio county, where he settled 
at Wheeling in 1889. He is married and has a nice little family, who live 
in the same building in which his office and store are also located. 

After his primary education our subject commenced the study of medicine 
under Dr. P. C. Mercer, of Weston, West Virginia, a man capable of 
instructing him fully in regard to his study, and later under Dr. 
Davidson, a noted physician of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He then passed the 
examination of the state medical board of West Virginia (Wheeling) in 
1882, later entering Cincinnati Medical Institute in 1893. There he took a 
special course in operative gynecology, surgery, and diseases of the eye, 
ear, nose and throat. Two years afterward he completed his course, 
graduating in all the branches of medicine and surgery, and carried off 
honors in a class of 144 students, the dean of the faculty complimenting 
him on being the best posted on materia medica of any man in his class. 

The Doctor is a member of many different societies, among which are the 
Ohio State Medical Society, and the West Virginia Medical Society. 

In addition to his numerous duties as a physician, he is the successful 
proprietor of a handsome store where he keeps drugs, etc. He enjoys a 
large and profitable general practice and is regarded as one of the 
leaders of his profession in Wheeling, In politics he is a Democrat. In 
fraternal circles is a member of Wheeling Lodge, No. 9, I.O.O.F. His 
family are active members of the Baptist church. 



GOTTLIEB BAYHA enjoys the distinction of being the oldest living baker in 
the city of Wheeling, West Virginia. He carries on a prosperous business 
at his stand, No. 1161 Market street, where he has been sole proprietor 
since 1870. He is a son of B. F. and Rosanna (Fuchs) Bayha, and was born 
in Wurtemberg, Germany, October 5, 1821. 

B. F. Bayha with his wife and family came to the United States in 1832, 
arriving safely after a voyage of sixty-three days, during which time the 
weather was quite stormy. They landed in New York, where they remained for 
a year and a half, and then came to Wheeling, where Lewis Bayha, a double 
cousin, who is deceased, resided at the time. Mr. Bayha embarked in the 
bakery business, which he had carried on to some extent in Germany; he 
commenced on a very small scale, gradually increasing and enlarging the 
business as his sons grew older. He did not live long after coming to this 
country, however, and died at the age of fifty-four years. His widow 
survived him for a number of years, and lived to the age of seventy-six 
years, both were members of the Lutheran Evangelical church. 

The subject of this sketch was one of a family of many children, the names 
of some of whom follow: Virginia; Lewis; Frederick; Jacob; John; David; 
and Anna B. Virginia married C. F. Hetzel, and is deceased. Lewis was 
twice married, and was engaged in the bakery business. Frederick died in 
Davenport, Iowa, and Jacob, who was a partner in the business with 
Gottlieb for many years, died in 1898: John is a tinner by trade and is a 
resident of Wheeling. David is deceased. Anna B. married Henry Ditmore, 
and is a resident of the Island, in Wheeling. Several children died in the 
old country. 

The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears on a foregoing page, 
was nine years of age when his parents brought him to Wheeling, and he 
attended school as best he could, and assisted his father when needed. His 
teacher was Rev. William McKay, who will be remembered by many of the 
older residents of the city. In 1852, with his brother Jacob, Mr. Bayha 
started in business for himself, with a location on Water street, near the 
wharf, under the firm name of J. & G. Bayha. This firm continued 
profitably until the early "seventies", when the partnership was 
dissolved, and Gottlieb Bayha has continued alone until the present time, 
enjoying the best of trade. These two brothers built the entire block in 
which the bakery business is carried on. Jacob also had his grocery store 
in it until his death. Besides this property Mr. Bayha owns much real 
estate in the city. He has no taste for office, but was at one time member 
of the city council. 

He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Hainer, a native of Washington, 
Pennsylvania, who died in 1896. They had six children, four of whom are 
still living, namely: Clara; Emma; Theophilus; and Elizabeth. Clara is 
still a member of the household. Emma married Rev. George Paul, lives at 
St. Paul, Minnesota, and has four children, namely: George G.; Albert; 
William; and Elizabeth. Theophilus is manager of his father's business. 
Elizabeth married Charles D. Ritter, of Wheeling, and has two children, 
Carl H. and Clara W. they are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church, 
of which Mr. Bayha is an official. He is well known in this part of the 
state. His business career has been all that could be desired, and gives 
him a leading place among the most enterprising and successful men of the 
city and county. 



ROY BENTON NAYLOR. This gentleman is one of the rising young newspaper men 
of Wheeling, West Virginia, and is at present occupying the position of 
telegraphic editor of the Wheeling Daily News. Mr. Naylor was born in 
Wheeling July 22, 1871, and is a son of John and Anne K. (Wendleken) 
Naylor. 

John S. Naylor, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 
Morgan county, Ohio, April 16, 1843. He located in Wheeling in 1864, where 
he entered the wholesale notion store of George K. Wheat. In the course of 
time he became a member of the new partnership formed by Mr. Wheat, which 
was know as Wheat, Isett & Naylor, with place of business on the corner of 
Thirteenth and Main streets. The firm removed to Nos. 1406 and 1408 Main 
street, and the name was changed to that of Wheat & Naylor. In 1890 Mr. 
Wheat retired, and Mr. Naylor became the head of the business, taking into 
partnership L. A. Lallance and James B. Brennan. Mr. Naylor is one of the 
most prominent business men of Wheeling. 

In 1869 John S. Naylor was married to Anne K. Wendleken, a daughter of 
Gerd Wendleken, a native of Germany, who came to this country in 1851. Roy 
Benton Naylor, whose name opens these lines, obtained his first mental 
training in the public schools of Wheeling, and later attended Linsly 
Institute. He also attended Marietta College for a period of two years. 
After leaving college he worked on the Wheeling Graphic, and for the past 
ten years has been on the Wheeling Daily News, doing editorial work, and 
occupying the position of telegraphic editor. He is held in high esteem by 
his office associates, and much confidence is placed in his ability. 
Young, full of energy, and inspired by a determination to succeed in 
whatever he undertakes, his future is indeed promising. 

Mr. Naylor was elected to the second branch of the city council, as a 
Republican, in January, 1901, and has been given a place on important 
committees. He is a member of Wheeling Lodge. No. 114, of the Knights of 
Pythias, and is also a member of a press and literary organization known 
as the Blue Pencil Club. 



EDWARD REID, deceased, was engaged in the wholesale grocery business in 
Wheeling for many years, and was prominent in business circles. He was 
born on Main street in Wheeling, March 10, 1848, and was a son of John and 
Eliza Reid, natives of Ireland. 

John Reid lived a retired life for fifteen years in Wheeling prior to his 
death. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. They had 
five children, as follows: Elizabeth, wife of S. N. Prather, who lives in 
Pittsburg; John and Edward, deceased; Mary, wife of C. W. Cochran, who 
lives in Allegheny City; and William, who died in infancy. Edward Reid was 
a pupil in Harding Academy and in the academy of Eliza Mills, and then 
became a bookkeeper in his father's store. He continued in that position 
for years, and then engaged in wholesale grocery business with the firm of 
Cotts, Simpson & Reid, which style was subsequently changed to Simpson & 
Reid, and finally to Edward Reid. He continued to conduct this store until 
he retired, about 1885; his death occurred January 10, 1898. He was not a 
politician, but was a great reader of literature, and was enlightened on 
general topics of interest, and happenings throughout the world. He was a 
great lover of Shakespeare's works. 

On April 30, 1888, Mr. Reid was united in marriage with Bessie T. 
McCullogh, a native of Ireland, and a daughter of Stephen and Barbara 
McCullogh. Her parents came from Ireland to Wheeling in 1868, and the 
father followed contracting and building. He was a man of high 
intelligence, and was well informed and well read, especially on the 
Bible. Mr. and Mrs. McCullogh were members of the Protestant Episcopal 
church. He was born June 1, 1826, and died June 4, 1898; his wife was born 
August 3, 1827, and died April 21, 1897. They were parents of the 
following children: Sarah, wife of J. Purcell; Mary, wife of John Groves, 
of Wheeling; Anna, wife of Charles Bell; Barbara, wife of Stephen Ripley, 
who resides at Hammond, Indiana; Robert; Harry, who died at the age of 
nineteen years; and Bessie T., widow of the subject of this biography. 

Edward Reid and his wife were the parents of three children: Anna E.; John 
E.; and Lillian M., who died July 11, 1893, at the age of four months. 
Mrs. Reid attends the Presbyterian church, although of the Episcopal 
faith. Mr. Reid, in the various occupations to which he gave attention, 
succeeded well. This could hardly be otherwise, as he was a shrewd and far-
seeing man, of excellent business sagacity, and will be remembered by many 
of the subjects of this volume's biographies as being very practical in 
his views and business ventures, and of a decidedly progressive turn of 
mind. He took little interest in political affairs, and sought no office, 
as his business interests engaged his entire attention. He was one of 
Wheeling's active, earnest and enterprising business men. 



ANTON SPAAR is one of the many prosperous and prominent agriculturists of 
Ohio county, West Virginia. He is a native of Hessen, Germany, where he 
was born November 13, 1836. 

When he was but an infant his father and mother came to the United States 
with him and located in Wheeling, where the father found employment at his 
trade as a basket-maker. In Wheeling the son received his mental training, 
and afterward learned the butcher's trade, and still later engaged in the 
dairy business. 

In 1861 Mr. Spaar was united in matrimony with Catherine M. Bromer, who 
was born in Wheeling, May 16, 1841, and is a daughter of Fr. and Rocina 
(Fulmer) Bromer. Her father came to the United States when only nineteen 
years of age and made Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his home, but later 
removed to Wheeling. There he was engaged at his trade, that of a baker, 
and married Rocina Fulmer, a native of Germany. They reared the following 
children: Margaret; Tillie; Henry; Elizabeth; George; Catherine M.; 
Johannah; Philip; Fred; Amelia; Louis; John; and Tena. Henry, Elizabeth, 
Philip and Amelia are deceased. Mr Spaar and his worthy wife have had 
eight children, as follows: Henry; Philip, deceased; William; Fred; 
Jeannette, who is the wife of Mr. Myers; Tena, deceased; Louis; and 
Nellie. The family are members of the German Evangelical Lutheran church. 

Mr. Spaar cultivates 94 acres of good ground in Ohio county and has a fine 
farm; the farmhouse is of brick, has six rooms, and is two stories high. 
Mrs. Spaar takes particular pride in her greenhouse on the farm, which is 
filled with most beautiful flowers of many different kinds, and which is 
justly deserving of praise. 

In politics Mr. Spaar is a Democrat, but takes little interest in 
political matters. He and his wife are highly esteemed in the surrounding 
country, and are among the dutiful and reliable citizens of the county. 



CHESTER G. WHITHAM, a farmer at Clinton, Ohio county, West Virginia, is a 
native of this county, and was born October 22, 1858; he is a son of 
Peregrine and Christiana Whitham, natives of Ohio County, West Virginia, 
and Washington County, Pennsylvania, respectively. 

Peregrine Whitham pursued farming, and had much ability as an 
agriculturist. He was interested in raising stock, and gave considerable 
attention to importing fine sheep and other stock. He first introduced 
registered and imported sheep into the neighborhood. He was born January 
30, 1808, and his death took place November 19, 1883. Most of his life was 
spent in Liberty district. He was first an Abolitionist, and later became 
a Republican; he held the office of justice of the peace, and was well 
known in the county. In early life he belonged to the Free Presbyterian 
church, until after slavery was abolished. His wife was also a member of 
the Free Presbyterian church; she was born November 12, 1816, and departed 
this life August 16, 1881. They had seven children,--three sons and four 
daughters,--as follows: J. D., Sarah J., Luther B., Mary C., Josephine M., 
Arabella M., and Chester G., the subject of this sketch. 

J. D. is a resident of Denver, Colorado. Sarah J. was born in 1837, 
married S. B. Chambers, and died in 1884. Luther B. has recently engaged 
in the lumbering business, and resides in St. Louis, Missouri. Mary C. 
became the wife of J. F. Trovilla, and lives at Aledo, Illinois. Josephine 
M. is now Mrs. J. I. Carson, residing at Washington, Pennsylvania. 
Arabella M. was united in marriage with J. B. Chambers, of West Alexander, 
Pennsylvania. Mr. Whitham attended the common schools and has followed 
agricultural pursuits all his life, raising, also, very fine stock. He 
owns 200 acres of land, all improved, and supposed to have coal under it. 
It is part of the old Marling farm. 

Mr. Whitham married Margaret E. Marling, a native of Pennsylvania, on June 
21, 1883. She is a daughter of John and Margaret (Harrison) Marling, 
distant relatives of General Benjamin Harrison. John Marling is still 
living; he was born November 29, 1822, in Ohio county, where he has 
followed farming all his life. His wife died January 16, 1895, in her 
seventieth year. Mr. Whitham's wife was an only child, and after a common 
school education she attended the Wheeling Female Academy. Mr. and Mrs. 
Whitham have one child, Doris Marling, who is well known by her 
acquaintances as a sweet, loving child. Mr. Whitham is one of the best 
farmers of the county, and stands well as a neighbor, citizen and friend. 



M. A. MARPLE not only carries on general farming very successfully on his 
farm in Ohio county, West Virginia, but has quite a reputation also as a 
fruit grower. This gentleman was born in Marshall county, West Virginia, 
April 30, 1865, and is a son of Benjamin and Hannah (Vanaman) Marple. 

Benjamin Marple was also a native of Marshall county, but now lives in 
Pennsylvania; he has followed the occupation of gardener, in which he 
proved successful. Hannah Vanaman, born in Pennsylvania in 1846, became 
his wife, they had 10 children, namely: M. A., the subject of this 
biography; George; Sarah E.; John W.; Melvin R.; Leslie; Mary; Russell and 
two who died in infancy. George and Sarah E. are deceased. 

M. A. Marple pursued his studies very diligently until he attained the age 
of eighteen years, when he left Marshall county, and with his parents 
moved to Ohio county, where he has been on his present farm since 1891. In 
partnership with his brother-in-law, John F. Calvin Garvin, he own 97 
acres of land, which is the old homestead of David B. Garvin. In 1888 Mr. 
Marple was united in marriage with Nannie Garvin, daughter of David B. 
Garvin, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1832, and had been located in Ohio 
county ever since he was one year old, at which time his parents removed 
hither with him. Mr. Garvin died July 13, 1895, aged sixty-three years. 
David B. Garvin's marriage with Mary Anderson resulted in six children; 
she was born in 1836 at Cadiz, Jackson county, Ohio, and at the present 
time makes her home with Mr. Marple. The names of the children of Mr. and 
Mrs. Garvin are as follows: Clara B., deceased; William; Nannie; John F. 
Calvin; Anna Mary, deceased; and Alma. William is a prominent merchant in 
Kirkville, Iowa, and John F. Calvin follows farming in Ohio county, West 
Virginia. 

Mr. Marple and his wife have two children. Mary E. and Irene M. they have 
a very comfortable two-story, eight-room house on the farm, and are 
conveniently situated. Mr. Marple is a Democrat. He and his wife are 
members of the M. E. church. In fraternal circles he is a member of the 
A.O.U.W., and affiliates also with the Odd Fellows. He is widely known and 
has many friends. The energy and straightforwardness of his life have 
truly brought him success and pleasure. 



WALTER T. WORLS, a gentleman of prominence in the city of Wheeling, is 
clerk of the first branch of the city council. He was born at West 
Wheeling, Ohio, and is a son of George W. and Anna (Dixon) Worls. 

George W. Worls was born August 6, 1842, and received his mental training 
in the public schools of Ohio. He was employed in the Belmont Mills until 
the Civil War. He comes of a family which has always been foremost in 
offering its services in defence of the country, and many of its members 
bear honorable military records. 

Milton Worls, the father of George W., enlisted at the age of forty-five 
years and served three years in the Army of the Potomac. He was captured 
at the Second Battle of Bull Run, and was confined in Libby Prison six 
months, after which he was exchanged. He died in 1882, at the age of sixty-
eight years. He had three sons in the army, as follows: Benjamin; Samuel; 
and George W. Benjamin served in the Army of the Potomac from the time of 
the three months call in 1861 until 1864, and now resides in West 
Wheeling. Samuel enlisted at the age of sixteen years, and served 
throughout the war, having re-enlisted twice in the Army of the Potomac. 
He was wounded in the Second Battle of Bull Run, and was disabled for 
life; he is now residing in West Virginia. George W. enlisted July 15, 
1861, in Company B, 5th Pennsylvania Artillery, in the Army of the 
Potomac. His first battle was at Salem, Virginia, and his next at Cedar 
Creek. He participated in every engagement of the Army of the Potomac 
during his service, never missing a duty call, and was promoted to be a 
sergeant. By order of General Auger, commanding the Department of the 
District of Columbia, he was mustered out July 5, 1864, at Camp Reynolds 
near Pittsburg, now a part of the city. George W. Worls was united in 
marriage April 7, 1864 with Anna Dixon, who was born in Belmont county, 
Ohio, January 22, 1843, and they are the parents of two children: Walter 
T.; and Jessie, the widow of William McAdams, who died February 10, 1893,--
she has two sons, William and Walter. Mr. Worls is a member of the Fourth 
Street M. E. church. Mr. Worls has been successfully engaged in the 
millinery business at No. 1058 Main Street for more than twenty years. He 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

Walter T. Worls was one year old when his parents moved to Wheeling, where 
he attended the public schools and pursued branches of study in other 
schools. Upon leaving school he began clerking and has continued thus for 
years. He became a candidate for the council from the second ward, led the 
ticket, both in the primaries and at the polls, and served six months. 
Charles Watson, Sr. resigned the clerkship of the council, and was 
succeeded by Thomas O'Brien, Jr. Mr. Worls was elected to succeed the 
latter in May, 1899, and has been filling that office since. At the last 
city election he was elected to fill that place for a term of two years, 
the term expiring in 1903. He has worked about thirteen years as a clerk 
on Main street, and is well known to the citizens of Wheeling. Fraternally 
he is a member of Ohio Valley Lodge, No. 31, K. of P., and Welcome Lodge, 
No. 6, A.O.U.W. In politics he is an ardent Republican. 



HENRY BIEBERSON, one of the trust-worthy and well-known German residents 
of Wheeling, West Virginia, was born in Hanover, Germany, August 19, 1848, 
and came to America in 1865, with his aunt, Mrs. Mary Vornbaum, and his 
sister, Wilhelmina, landing in New York City. He went at once to 
Bridgeport, Belmont county, Ohio, whence, about two years later, he 
removed to Wheeling, West Virginia, which has since been his home. 

His father, John Henry Bieberson, was a native of Germany, and died in 
that country at the age of seventy-nine years. He served in the army for 
about twenty years and participated in the battle of Waterloo. His wife, 
Louise Bieberson, died at the age of fifty-two years. Of six children born 
of their union, Henry and his sister, Marie, Wilhemina and Lizzie, are the 
survivors. 

Henry Bieberson, on coming to the United States, was employed in various 
lines of business until 1874, when he established a cafe at No. 1429 South 
street, Wheeling, near the Baltimore & Ohio railroad depot. It has an 
excellent location, is complete in all its appointments, and is well 
conducted. Mr. Bieberson has been connected with many of the leading 
enterprises of Wheeling. He has been for many years a director of the 
German Fire Insurance Company of Wheeling, a leading organization of its 
kind in this country, and is a director of the Bank of Wheeling, and the 
LaBelle Iron Works. He is also connected with the Belmont Brewing Company, 
a very successful enterprise, of which he is now the president and general 
manager. He is thoroughly American in his ideas, and has a great 
admiration for American push and energy. A man of great business ability, 
his advice and assistance are frequently sought in regard to enterprises 
undertaken to advance the interests of Wheeling. 

Mr. Bieberson was married, May 22, 1873, to Fredericka Schumacher, who is 
a native of Wheeling, and a daughter of Christoph Schumacher, deceased. 
The latter is well remembered by the older citizens of Wheeling as a man 
worthy of the highest esteem. Mr. Bieberson and his wife have five 
children, namely: Emma, wife of Carl A. Goetz; Lillie; Henry, Jr.; Cora; 
and Anton. The family are members of St. John's German Independent 
Protestant church, of which Mr. Bieberson is vice-president. He is a 
member of the B.P.O.E.. of which he was a trustee for many years, and of 
various other societies. He is also a member of the board of trade.