OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 375 James C. Mansbarger, who was born at Wheeling, November 17, 1848, is now a well-known citizen of his native place, and prominent in business as a member of the firm of Mansbarger, Lots & McKowan, plumbers and gas fitters. He is the son of Samuel K. Mansbarger, who was born in York county, Penn., in 1811, and came to Wheeling soon after 1830. He was occupied as a mechanical engineer during a long and active career here, during which he gained the esteem of the corn munity,-but since 1888, he has been retired from business, and living with his son at Martin's Ferry. His wife, Nancy Reed, a native of Greene county, Penn., was born in 181 1, and also survives. Of their seven children, six are living. The subject of this mention began learning the trade of plumbing at the age of fourteen years, serving an apprenticeship to William Hare, of Wheeling, and working two years longer at Steubenville for F. A. Hare. He then spent two years with Trimble & Hornbrook, then four years at Canton, Ohio, and was subsequently associated with William Hare, at Wheeling, until in June, 1886, he formed his present partnership with Joseph Lotz and Charles R. McKowan, a firm which is doing a prosperous business at No. 37 Twelfth street. Mr. Mansbarger is a member of the Wheeling lodge, F. & A. M., and the A. 0. U. W., and his wife is a member of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Mansbarger was married in 1886, to Lizzie, daughter of Mary Evans, of Evansville, W. Va., and they have one son, John E. Thomas E. Marker, a well-known young citizen who fills the position of water rents assessor, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, September 23, 1862. His father, Isaiah Marker, a native of Ohio also, was the son of parents who emigrated from Pennsylvania at an early date in the period of settlement. Isaiah, who was a farmer by occupation, was married to Rebecca Arnold, also a native of Ohio. He died in 1866 and the mother in January, 1888. Their two children, Thomas E., and Daniel E., both survive. Thomas E., the subject of this mention, was reared upon his father's farm and received a common school education. At the age of sixteen years he started out, and after sojourns at Carrollton and Canton, returned to Richmond, Jefferson county, and thence came to Wheeling in February, 1880, where he took the position of night clerk at the St. James, now the Windsor Hotel. In February, 1885,.Mr. Marker was appointed assessor of water rents in the city water office, to which position he was re-appointed in 1887 and 1889. Mr. Marker was married in October, 1884, to Katie, daughter of Nicholas Riester, manager of the Belmont mills. To this union two children have been born. Dr. Charles E. Mason, deserving of special mention among the dentists of Wheeling, was born and reared in Portage county, Ohio, where his parents are still living, honored and respected by the community. The father, Lewis B. Mason, now a stock-dealer by occupation, was married to Myra M. Lewis, and to them their son Charles E. was born, April 23, 1856. Dr. Mason was educated at the Hiram college, at Mentor, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1873. He then selected dentistry as his profession, and began its study with J. W. Snyder, 376 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. one of the most eminent dentists of Ohio, who resided at Alliance. After two years' study and practice with this preceptor, Dr. Mason went, in 1875, to Columbiana, Ohio, where he practiced for a year and a half, then entering the New York School of Dentistry, where he remained one year. Then returning to Columbiana, he took charge of a practice. In 1879 he was graduated by the Philadelphia Dental college, and while in that city he also took a course in medicine at Jefferson Medical college. In the spring of 1885 he began a practice at Pittsburgh, which occupied him over two years, after which he returned to his Portage county home. He began his residence at Wheeling in the spring of 1884, beginning at the same time his successful practice here, which in spite of the crowded condition of his profession at the beginning; of his practice, has been most successful, giving him a .leading position among the dentists of the city. In the spring of 1888; Dr. Mason engaged in the drug business, he in partnership with Henry Soneborn, establishing the McLure House pharmacy. The doctor is a member of the First Presbyterian church, and is a prominent Mason, being connected with Bates lodge, Salem chapter, of Ohio, and Cyrene commandery, K. T. Mifflin Marsh, a venerable and highly esteemed citizen of Wheeling, has, for half a century been connected with the tobacco manufacture which has contributed in so large a degree to the prosperity of that city. He is descended from an Irish family, and his grandfather was the first of the family to come to America. His father, William, who became one of the pioneers of Jefferson county, Ohio, was born near York Springs, Penn., and he was married to Ann, a daughter of John Naylor, of the neighborhood of William Marsh's native place. To them were born nine children, of whom Mary, John, Margaret, Susan, Isaac, and William are deceased; and Ann, of St. Louis, Mo., Elizabeth, and the subject of this mention, are living. The parents were members of the Society of Friends. Mifflin Marsh was born at Smithfield, the Ohio home of his parents, in 1818, and in 1831 he removed with his family to Wheeling. Here he learned the cigar-maker's trade in his youth, and in 1840 he opened a business of his own — a cigar factory on Quincy street, between Market and Main. About the year. 1859, he removed to his present location, and nine years latter formed the firm of M. Marsh & Son, by the admission of his son William M.. Mr. Marsh was married in 1841 to Rachel Robinson, a native of Jefferson county, Ohio. She died in 1851, leaving five children, four of whom are living: John, William, Amanda and Ann. In 1852, Mr. Marsh was married to Lucetta Tolliver, and they have one daughter, Margaret. William M. Marsh, who has been mentioned as the business associate of his father in their prosperous establishment, was born in Wheeling, February 19, 1841. Learning the trade of cigar making with his father when a boy, he has always followed that business, and as manager contributes much to the success of Marsh & Son. He was married in 1862 to Louise Wurst, and they have four children: Settie, Bessie Jessie and Lettie. Mr. Marsh has taken an active part in public affairs, and is serving as a represen- OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 377 tative of the Island in the second branch of the city council, having been elected as a republican in 1887, and again in 1889. Edward Henry Meagel, retail grocer, of Wheeling, was born in Washington county, Ohio, August 24, 1862, the son of Frederick and Elizabeth Meagel, now highly esteemed residents of Marietta, Ohio, who were born in Germany, and were married in Washington county after their immigration. At twelve years of age, Mr. Meagel left home and started out for himself, coming directly to Wheeling, where he found employment in a glass factory, learning the trade of an etcher, which he followed in different factories for nine years, attaining a high degree of proficiency in his art of glass etching and decorating. Retiring from this pursuit, he was, for two years employed in a wholesale grocery establishment, and at the end of that time he embarked in business as a retail grocer at No. 122 Eighteenth streeth. He opened his store April 1, 1885, with a stock purchased with borrowed money, and he has met with such marked success that he now carries a stock valued at $5,000, and has a large and profitable custom. On November 18, 1889, he purchased a vacant lot at No. 130 Eighteenth street, upon which , he is preparing to build a new three. story brick business block, at a cost of about $4,000. Mr. Meagel stands high in business circles, and is a member of the board of trustees of the Grocers' protective association. He and wife are members of the German Lutheran church, and he is a member of the German Benevolent society and the Knights of Pythias. He was married April 4, 1885, to Augusta Eberling, and they have two children, Elmer Henry and Edward William. George Mendel, deceased, of Wheeling, lived a life that was a notable illustration of the success that may be attained in this land by men of industry and talent, though unaided at the outset by capital or influence. He came to Wheeling a poor boy, with his trade yet to learn, but by the pursuit of a legitimate business career, rose to the rank of one of the most prominent business men of the city, and founded one of the largest establishments in the state. Mr. Mendel was born at Wellsburkh, Brooke county, in 1812. Coming to Wheeling when quite young, he _learned the trade of cabinet-making, and in 1836 opened an establishment of his own. Subsequently he formed a partnership with Henry Harber, under the style of Mendel & Harber, and that firm afterward being dissolved, he admitted his brother, and the firm was known as J. & G. Mendel. At the close of the war, by the admission of Crawford H. Booth and Curran Mendel, the firm became J. & G. Mendel & Co., as which it continued until about 1873, when John Mendel died, and Curran Mendel sold out his interest, and G. Edward Mendel entered the firm, which was then styled G. Mendel, Booth & Co. A large factory was established on Eoff street, which was at the time the largest in the city. The business was increased from year to year until at the time of the death of George Mendel, January 29, 1875, an annual business of $ioo,000 was done. Aside from this business, Mr. Mendel was active in various channels, being president of the Franklin Insurance company, president of the 378 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. Wheeling Savings institution, director of the Exchange bank, and stockholder and director in various other enterprises in which his ability and capital were interested. In political affairs, however, he took no part as an office holder, though he was an ardent republican. He was married at Wheeling to Sarah Richardson, a native of Wheeling, who is still a resident of the city. To them five sons and three daughters were born, all of whom are living, viz.: Celia G., wife of Crawford Booth, of Texas; John R., of Pittsburgh; Belle M., of Wheeling; G. Ed.; of Wheeling; Mrs. John- H. Myers, of Milwaukee; James V., of W heeling; Charles L., of Minneapolis, and Harry J., now of Wheeling, but for eight years a resident of Texas. G. Edward Mendel, now the head of the firm founded by his father, was born at Wheeling, April 16, 1849. After receiving his education at the public schools and Linsly institute, he entered the furniture factory as a workman-in 1865. After learning the trade he entered the store as a salesman, and was advanced through various positions until 1873, when he was made a.partner in the business. He is also a stockholder in the Union Glass company, of Bellaire, a member of the firm of Elson, Gloss & Co., of Martin's Ferry, a stockholder in the Fire and Marine Insurance company and Franklin Insurance company, director of the State Fair association, of which he was an original stockholder and projector. Mr. Mendel is a Mason of Bates' lodge, No. 33, and is a member of Wheeling Union chapter, and Wheeling commandery and Wheeling consistory, No. 16. He was married October 9, 1873, to Lizzie, daughter of John Handlan, who died in February, 1875, leaving one daughter. August 15, 1883, he was married to Mary Wheeler, daughter of Grattan H. Wheeler, of Hammondsport, N. Y., and they have one child. After the death of George Booth, the previous firm name was continued until 188o, when. Mr. Booth retired and went to Texas, and the business was continued by G. E. Mendel until January; 1888, when McHugh Sterling and M. Kirchner became associated in the firm of G. Mendel & Co. Charles J. Menkemeller, a well-known druggist of Wheeling, is 'a, native of the city, born April 16, 1856. His father, Henry Menkemeller, who was born at Bielefield, near Berlin, Prussia, was there married to Mary Bruhn, and in 1854 came with his family to America. He resided for a .brief period at New Orleans, but soon came to Wheeling, and being a skillful craftsman, became a nail plate shearsman at the Belmont Nail works, where he has ever since been engaged, occupying the position of foreman. His father and brother were both killed in the Franco-Prussian war. He has reared a family of seyen children: Charles J., Harry, George, Henry, William, Mary and Emma. Charles J. Menkemeller was reared in this city, and having a liking for the drug trade, found employment in 1872 in Bocking & Carrol's drug store at the corner of Twenty-fourth and Chapline streets, where he remained a year and a half. He then was engaged for four years with Edmund Bocking, and in the fall of 1874 went to Philadelphia and entered the employment of Dr. Vernon, in his drug store. At the same time he was taking a course of pharmacy OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 379 in the Philadelphia college of pharmacy, at which he was graduated in 1876. After taking charge of a West Philadelphia drug store for eight months he returned to Wheeling and became a clerk for C. Schenepf for eighteen months. In the summer of 1878 he embarked in business for himself, succeeding Hugh I. Roberts at the Central drug store, and since 188o he has occupied his present business location, where he has built an extensive and lucrative trade. He is secretary of the West Virginia Pharmaceutical association, and is a member of the Masonic order. He was married in 1884 to Clara L., daughter of John W. and Kate (DeRolf) Stevens, of Barnesville, Ohio, and has two children, Gertrude and Earl. John F. Merriman, the popular agent of the Adams Expregs company, at Wheeling, was born in Southerington, Hartford county, Conn., January 20, 1837, the son of Samuel G. and Jane (Frost) Merriman, both natives of Connecticut. The father was the son of John Merriman, a descendant of one of the pilgrim families that settled in Connecticut. John Merriman was a soldier in the war of 1812, and after the war he embarked in business in his native state, and was thus engaged until his death, which occurred about 1840. His two sons were Samuel and Franklin. Samuel, who was born in 1810, received his early schooling in the common schools of Connecticut. and afterward learned the trade of a machinist. He was identified with the invention of the cotton-gin, and several other important inventions. The greater part of his life he held a high position in public life, having at one time been elected to the state senate. He filled this distinguished position for two terms, and he subsequently filled several minor offices. His two children are John F. and Homer F., the latter a resident of New York city. The father's death occurred in 1883. His wife had passed on before him in .1847. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools and afterward the state normal school, at New Britain. After leaving school he went to New York city and accepted a clerkship with a large importing house, and remained with them until 1863. At this time he went to Philadelphia and was there employed as a telegraph operator for two years. He then moved to Pittsburgh, where he was engaged in the newspaper business for one year. In 1867 Mr. Merriman entered the service of the Adams Express company, coming to Wheeling the same year. In 1871 he was made the agent of the Adams Express company, and has since filled that responsible position with great efficiency. He was married in 1875 to Miss Sallie Donlon, daughter of John Donlon, a prominent citizen of Wheeling. John D. is the result of this union. Mrs. Merriman is a member of the Second Presbyterian church, and of various different charitable organizations. Mr. Merriman is a Mason, being a Knight Templar and a Scottish Rite. His political faith is nailed to the democratic standard. He is a stockholder in the Riverside Glass works, of Wellsburgh. Mr. Merriman has been con= nected with the Adams Express company for over twenty-three years, a fact that speaks volumes for his integrity and business ability. John A. Metcalf, assistant postmaster of Wheeling, W. Va., was 380 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. born in that city June 18, 1857. He is the son of the late Joseph A. Metcalf, grandson of George Metcalf, and great-grandson of Allan Metcalf, who was born August 22, 1753, and moved from Berkley county, Va., and settled in Ohio county in November, 1783, and died in that county February 7, 1796. He was one of the pioneers of the Pan Handle of West Virginia. His daughter, Priscilla, was married to Gen. Benj. Biggs, August 27, 1795. George Metcalf, the son of Allan Metcalf, was one of the early settlers of Ohio, being associated with the Gombars (one of whom he married), who were among the first white people to make a home at Cambridge, Ohio, and built one of the first houses in Guernsey county. He was born April 13, 1783, in Berkley county, Va., and died at Cambridge, Ohio, October 5, 1867. He was married three times, first to a cousin of Gen. Winfield Scott, his second wife was Susanne Gombar, who was born December 7, 1792, and died October 22, 1820. His third wife was Sarah Holler, who was born January 17, 1801, and died February 9, 1872. Joseph Allan Metcalf, son of the late George Metcalf, and his wife, Susanne Gombar, was born in Cambridge, Ohio, August 20, 1817. He moved to Wellsburg, Brooke Co., Va., in 1846, and was the founder of the Wellsburg Herald, afterward he was a member of the firm of Metcalf, Miller & Co., manufacturers of glassware. He removed to Wheeling in 1855, and engaged in the iron business, as representative of several Pittsburgh iron manufactories; he established what is now the iron house of W..T. Burt & Co., and until his death was senior partner of the firm of Metcalf & Burt, with branch houses at different times at Indianapolis, Ind., and Cambridge, Ohio. He was one of the organizers, and for several years president of the Wheeling Hinge company, and was interested in various other enterprises. In politics-he was a republican, and being active in local affairs, sat in the first branch of council for several years, and was also a member of the board of education. He was at the time of his death and for some years an elder in the First Presbyterian church. He died at his old home farm near Cambridge, Ohio, July 31, 1874, where he had moved with his family in 1872 iri the vain hope of recovering his health. His wife was Miss Mary Burt, of Brooke county, Va., who was born July 14, 1820, at Wellsburg, Va., and was married there May 18, 1842. Five children was the result of this marriage. Two of them died, William B., the eldest, died in 1844, and Sally B., the youngest daughter, in 1876. Martha Burt, the eldest daughter, is the wife of J. H. Woodward, of Woodward, Ala., son of the late S. H. Woodward, one of the founders of the La Belle Iron works, Susanne Goinbar, a resident of Wheeling, and Joseph A. Metcalf. The latter attended the public schools and Linsly institute of Wheeling; later he entered Muskingum college, at Concord, Ohio, where he remained about a year until called away by the death of the father. The family returned to their home in Wheeling in 1876; in 1877 he went to Philadelphia, where he remained some time; returning to Wheeling, he was engaged there till the winter of 1879, when he went to Taylor, Texas, and remained in that vicinity till the fall of 1880. After his OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 381 return to Wheeling he was engaged as book-keeper at the Center Foundry company, Boyd & Co., and Neill & Ellingham. After a few months in the real estate business as successor of Alexander Bone, he sold out his interests to W. H. Rinehart, and resumed book-keeping with the Riverside Iron works, where he remained until he received his present appointment, June I, 1889. Mr. Metcalf is a member of Wheeling lodge, No. 9, I. O. O. F., Nelson lodge, F. & A. M., Wheeling Union chapter, No. 1, and Alpha lodge, K. of H., and a member of the First Presbyterian church. He was married June 7, 1882, to Mary A. McFadden, daughter of J. D. McFadden, a builder and contractor, now residing at Omaha, Neb. Jeremiah Alexander Miller, ex-mayor of Wheeling, and prominently associated with its business and financial affairs, is a native of the vicinity of Martinsburgh, W. Va. His father was John F. Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania about the year 1812, the son of a Pennsylvania German, a native of Franklin county, Penn. John F. Miller removed to Virginia, and there married Rosanna Ellenberger, daughter of John A. Ellenberger, of the valley of Virginia. The father settled there and followed the vocation of a teacher until his death in 1852. The mother removed to Wheeling in about 1863, and resided there until her death at the age of fifty-one years in 1874. To these parents were born three children, J. A., John M., now living in Springfield, Ohio, and Anna Eliza Bell, who died July 1, 1880. The subject of this mention was born December 9, 1844. He attended school at Martinsburgh, where he was reared. He then found employment as a clerk at that place until his eighteenth year of age, when he removed to Wheeling and obtained a position in a retail grocery store. He then went upon the road as a traveling salesman for James L. Hawley, wholesale dealer. In 1868 he began business for himself in fine groceries and confectionery, and was so engaged until 1883, when he retired from the same, to go into the wholesale boot and shoe business with George E. Boyd. This firm, with the style of Boyd, Miller & Co., succeeded the firm of Boyd & Co., and Mr. Boyd was connected with it until 1885, when he retired from the shoe business. Mr. Miller has taken an active interest in municipal affairs, and in 1878 was elected a member of the board of education, of which he has ever since been a member, and is at present, president. In 1883-4 Mr. Miller served as mayor of the city. He is prominently interested in various enterprises, being president of the Citizens' Rail- way company, president of the West Virginia Printing company, president of the Wheeling Ice & Storage company, director of the bank of the Ohio valley, and director of the Peabody Insurance company. He is,also considerably interested in real estate. Mr. Miller is a member of the Wheeling lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M.; of Cyrene commandery, No. 7; Albert Pike consistory, of Washington; of Mecca Temple, Mystic Shrine, of New York, and was grand commander of West Virginia Knight Templars, in 1888-9. He is also a member of the Wheeling lodge, No. 9, I. 0. 0. F., and was grand master and grand patriarch, in 1777. During the administration of 382 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. Gov. J. B. Jackson, 1881 to 1885, Mr. Miller served by appointment as aide-de-camp on the staff of the governor, with the rank of colonel. John C. Miller, an influential citizen of Wheeling, and one of the leading dry goods merchants of the city, was born in Westphalia, Germany, in September, 1832. In about the year 1846, when about fourteen years of age, Mr. Miller came to the United States, accompanying an uncle. After remaining a short .time at New York, he proceeded to Cumberland, Md., and was there engaged in a brick yard for about one year. His next occupation was on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad as a fireman, and after two years of this employment he was promoted to engineer. He was engaged with the Baltimore &. Ohio until 1858, when he accepted a position as engineer on the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad, running an engine on that line about six months. He then came to Wheeling and engaged in the grocery business, in which he was successfully engaged until 1883. At the latter date he turned that business over to his oldest son, Charles R., and thereafter confined himself to the dry goods trade. He now conducts a large dry goods store at 2337 Chapline street. Mr. Miller has always been one of the best-known citizens of Wheeling, and has taken an active interest in the public affairs of the city and county. During the war he was a candidate for the city council against Jacob Snyder, but the gentlemen receiving an equal number of votes, neither qualified. Since then he has represented his ward in the council at various times for at least six terms. During the war he served as overseer of the poor, at the time that was an office elective by the people. For twelve years he was a member of the school board, filling that as well as the other offices with ability. Mr. Miller was married at Wheeling, on September 9, 1856, to Mary Lynch, and nine children have been born to them, eight of whom survive. He and family are members of St. Joseph Catholic church. John F. Miller, a successful and prominent manufacturer of cigars and Wheeling stogies, at 2151 Market street, Wheeling, was born in Germany, December 31, 1851. He was left an orphan by the death of his father, about two years later, and the widow and two sons then immigrated to America, and came directly to Wheeling. They had been here but a short time, when in 1854, the mother died, and John F. left alone in a strange country, was adopted by Frederick Newman,, of Wheeling, with whom he remained until he was eighteen, when he bought his release. During this period of adoption he learned the trade of a baker, but subsequently found employment with his uncle, John Schneider, and learned the craft of a cigar maker. He worked for his uncle six months, then at Parkersburgh a year for his brother, in the cigar trade there, then again for his uncle, and subsequently for his brother, who had removed to Wheeling. After four years of this latter employment, he bought out his brother, and has ever since been in business for himself. His first establishment was on the corner of Market and Twenty-second streets, but in 188o, he . removed to his present location. Beginning with two hands, his busi- OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 383 ness has increased until he now employs on an average, twenty hands, and the product of his facctory meets with a hearty welcome by the public. His success in life has been his own achievement, and it is a matter of much credit to him that in spite of the adverse circumstances, narrated in this sketch, he has been able to achieve such substantial success. He is prominent in the affairs of the Fifth ward, and aids in public enterprises but has so far declined official position. He is a stockholder in the West Virginia Tobacco company. In October, 1883, Mr. Miller was married to Lena, daughter of Herman Renner, of Wheeling, and they have two daughters: Carrie and Eva. Peter Miller, who has for a considerable period been engaged successfully in the retail grocery business in Wheeling, was born in Gesial Hessian by Fulda, Germany, November 1, 1832. His parents, John and Anna Maria Miller, are both deceased, the father having died when his son was a small child, and the mother having passed away in Germany, in 1889, at the age of eighty-eight years. Peter Miller, after engaging in farm work in his native land, embarked in 1852 at Bremen, and after reaching this country, proceeded at once to Wheeling, which has since been his home. Here Mr. Miller was first employed as an apprentice to Christian Hesse, a tailor, and continued with him three years, receiving $io the first year, $20 the second and $40 and a suit of clothes the third. As a journeyman tailor he then worked ten years, quitting his trade on March r, 186o, to engage in the grocery business. His store at first and for five years, was at the corner of Second and Main streets, and from there in 1865, he removed to the corner of Third and Main streets, occupying a brick business block which he erectcd at that place. There he still conducts a profitable business. Mr. Miller was married November I, 1857, to Christina Heil, a native of Germany, who came to America in the same year as did her husband. They have nine children: Lewis J., Christina, Rosa, Mary, Emma, Peter W.,'Catherine, Loretto and Carl B. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Catholic church, and he is associated with the St. Alphonsus society. Po litically he is a democrat. Alexander Mitchell, treasurer of the Mutual Savings Bank, and a well-known citizen of Wheeling, was born in Ohio county, W. Va., March 19, r847. His father was Zachariah S. Mitchell, who was a son of Alexander Mitchell, one of the pioneers of West Virginia. Zachariah S. Mitchell was born in Ohio county, W. Va. and for many years was a very prominent man in the community. Va., married Miss Ann Baird, daughter of George Baird, Esq., a sister of Dr. George Baird. Mr. Mitchell died about 1881, his wife having gone on before in 1853. Alexander Mitchell was reared in Washington, Penn. In 1867 he was graduated from Washington and Jefferson college, and the same year came to Wheeling to study medicine with Dr. George Baird. In about 1868, however, he abandoned his studies and entered McLain Brothers' drug store, and two years later he entered the service of the B. & 0. railroad, in the freight department. In 1876 Mr. Mitchell accepted a position with the National bank of West Virginia, 384 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. serving in the capacity of book-keeper. Subsequently, in 1881, he became the book-keeper of the People's bank, and in 1887 he organized the Mutual Savings bank in connection with W. G. Wilkenson, of the Exchange bank, of this organization he was made treasurer. Until April, 1889, the institution was open for business only during the evening, and Mr. Mitc'nell filled the positions of treasurer of the Savings bank, and book-keeper and teller of the People's bank also. But at this time he left the People's bank, devoting his whole attention to the Mutual bank, and has since operated this bank, which is the only one of the kind in the state, with great success and benefit to the community. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Title, Insurance and Abstract company, of Wheeling, and vice president of the Wheeling Insurance and Bond association. In 1880 he was married to Miss Delia G., daughter of Joseph C. Harbour, deceased, a leading citizen of Wheeling during his life. Three children have blessed this union, two sons and one daughter. Mr. Mitchell stands high in the community, both for his abilities as a financier and as a mail of strict integrity. Alexander Mitchell, one of the earliest settlers of Wheeling, was a native of Pennsylvania. He came to the Wheeling region in the times of Indian warfare, and settled upon land six miles northeast of the site of the city. As an Indian scout in the government employ he rendered valuable service. He was a great lover of horses, and had the reputation of owning the fastest horses in the country. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Kelley, the following children were born: Samuel, Isaac, Alexander, Zachariah; Nancy, who married Zachariah Jacob; and James. The latter only is living. Isaac W. Mitchell, one of these children (born in 181o, died in 1866), was a farmer by occupation, and was also engaged for a time in pork-packing. He was a prosperous man, owned at one time 640 acres of land, and was tlie largest sheep owner in the county, having at one period 1,800 Merino sheep. Under the old Virginia law he became sheriff by purchase, and held that office in Ohio county for eighteen years successively. His wife was Sallie, daughter of John White, who died in 1848. They had five sons: Alexander, John W., Zachariah J., Andrew W. and Samuel. Alexander removed to Lexington, Mo., and engaged in banking, and died there. in 1879. Zachariah is now an attorney-at-law in St. Louis. Andrew was a cotton broker of St. Louis, and died in 1867. Samuel is now clerking in St. Louis. John W. Mitchell, now clerk of the circuit court of Ohio county, was born at Wheeling, December 31, 1838. He received his education at Mt. Olive, N. J., and at an Episcopalian school, near Alexandria, Va., and then selecting the profession of law as his vocation, read law with his uncle, Zachariah Jacob, until the outbreak of the war, when he went south, and joined the confederate army. He enlisted as lieutenant in the Twenty-seventh Virginia regiment, of the Stonewall brigade, and after four years' service, was mustered out as major. In 1865 he returned to Wheeling, and was appointed deputy under Sheriff George R. Tingle, with whom he served, and also under OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 385 Sheriff C. P. Brown, about two years. In December, 1883, he was appointed clerk of the circuit court to fill a vacancy, and after serving four years was elected in 1887, to the same office, as the democratic candidate, for a term of six years. He is a popular official and the office has been ably conducted under his management. Mr. Mitchell was married in 1865, to H. Grace Woods, daughter of Andrew P. Woods, one of the old citizens of Wheeling, and four sons and one daughter have been born to them, of whom but one son, Elbert, survives. David G. Morgan, manager of the Washington Insurance company, Providence, R. I. and also resident agent at Wheeling of the St. Paul Fire and I., company, Reading Insurance company, Fireman's Fund Insurance company, of San Francisco, and the Metropolitan Plate Glass Accident Insurance company, was born in Wheeling, W. Va., in May, 1844. His parents landed in Richmond, Va., in 1832, and came direct to Wheeling, where the father was engaged in the coal business. The father was a native of Wales and the mother of Ireland. The former died in 1859, after having lived a life of probity and usefulness. Mrs. Morgan is still living. Of the nine children born to them five still survive. D. G. Mo'rgan started life without the advantages of a liberal education, having been compelled to begin the active affairs of life when but nine years old. At this time he went to work in the iron mills of his native city. Mr. Morgan was employed in the old Top mill until the breaking out of the war. His life and services were offered to his country, October 22, 1861, when he enlisted in Company I, Sixth West Virginia Volunteer infantry, and served with bravery and faithfulness until November, 1864. His army record is unstained by any cowardly or disloyal act, ever having the interests of his country at heart. After the war he returned to his old home and employment, remaining in Wheeling for five years; at this time Mr. Morgan removed to Elmira, N. Y., where he engaged in the iron business. Returning to Wheeling in 1872, he one year later embarked in the grocery business, in which he continued until the year 1882. In the last named year he became the local agent for the /Etna Insurance company of Wheeling, and remained in this capacity until 1885, he then- accepted the managership of the Providence Washington Insurance company of the state of West. Virginia, and later became the resident agent of several prominent insurance companies. Miss Amelia M. Glessner, daughter of Christian Glessner, of Wheeling, became his wife in the year 1872. Their home has been brightened by the advent of four children, named as follows: David Goring, Flora May, Doretta Augusta and Alexander Hamilton, the latter deceased. Mr. Morgan is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Morgan is a communicant of the St. Johns Lutheran church. Mr. Morgan is in sympathy with the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Few men make more of life from an humble beginning than has David. G. Morgan. He is widely known throughout the state, and wherever known is honored for hts unbending integrity and undoubted ability and enterprise. His agency is, 25 — A. 386 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. one of the largest in the state, and its success is entirely due to the untiring energy of its manager. Jacob Edward Morris, an enterprising young citizen of Wheeling, was born at that city July 15, 1857, the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Morris, well-known and highly esteemed residents. After receiving his education in the city schools he was engaged during three years of his youth as a clerk in a grocery store, where he gained his first acquaintance with a business in which he has since had a considerable degree of success. At the age of seventeen he began, however, to learn the trade of carpentry, and that occupation engaged his attion until 1886. On the 1st of June of the latter year he embarked in the grocery trade, in which he has since been engaged, having at No. 119 Sixteenth street one of the most attractive establishments of the kind in Wheeling. He holds a creditable rank as a business man, and is a member of the Grocers' Protective association. He is also affiliated with the order of Odd FelloWs. In April, 1882, Mr. Morris was married to Mary E., daughter of John Henderson, formerly a prominent citizen of Wheeling, and to this union two children have been born: Albert Russell and Mary Elizabeth. John W. Morris, M. D., a well-known member of the medical profession at Wheeling, is a native of the city where he has been engaged since 1876 in the practice of medicine. Dr. Morris was born February 15, 1853, the son of Jacob Morris, one of the early residents of Wheeling, now erigaged as a contractor in this city. He was reared in Wheeling and was educated in the, public schools and in Linsly institute. Deciding to adopt the profession of medicine, he began the study in 1872 with Dr. R. F. Turner, as preceptor, and 1874-5, attended lectures at the Detroit Homeopathic college. In the fall of 1875 he entered Puke Medical college, at Cincinnati, and was graduated from there in 1876. Returning home immediately afterward, he began the practice at Wheeling, and has since met with marked success. He is a member of the American Institute of. Homeopathy. Dr. Morris is distinguished as a member of the Masonic fraternity which he joined in 1880. He is a member of Nelson lodge, No. 3o, F. & A. M., of which he is past master and present secretary; is past high priest of Wheeling Union chapter, No. 1, and is serving his fourth term as eminent commander of Wheeling commandery, No. 1, K. T. He also holds the positions of grand secretary of the Grand Royal Arch chapter, of West Virginia, and deputy inspector general for the state, of Thirty-third degree Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, for the southern jurisdiction of the United. States. Dr. Morris was married in 1878 to Annie, daughter of G. W. Pumphrey, of Wheeling. Father Joseph Mullen, pastor of the church of, the Immaculate Conception, of Wheeling, was born in county Louth, Ireland, September 12, 1841, the son of James and Ellen Mullen, natives of that land. He was reared to manhood in his native country, and received his classical education at St. Patrick's college, in the city of Armagh. In 1867 he came to America, arrived at Baltimore March 19th, and immediately entered St. Mary's seminary at that city, where he was OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 387 a student in theology and philosophy eighteen months. At the end of that time he went to Wheeling, and in St. Vincent's college pur- sued his theological studies until August 31, 1871, when he was ordained priest. Subsequent to his ordination he was retained at St. Vincent's four years, two years as a professor and two years as the president of the institution. He afterward engaged in the mission work of his churcH in southwestern Virginia, his headquarters being at Wytheville. His present work was taken up by him on the 18th of December, 1885, and in this function he has labored faithfully and devotedly. Wesley D. Murphy, a well-known citizen of Wheeling, was born at Freeport, Harrison hio, July 17, 1854, the son of William A. and Mary (Steadman) Co.,Murphy. His father lost his life while in the military service of the Union, May 9, 1864, and his mother died May 8, 1867. Mr. Murphy was reared in his native place, laboring upon a farm and attending the common schools. In youth he went to Fairport, Belmont Co., Ohio, and was there employed at farm work until November, 1884, when he came to Wheeling, which has since been his home. He found employment in driving a milk wagon for John Patton until February 12, 1886, when he engaged in the milk trade on his own account, with less than $5 capital, going in debt for his first two milk-cans. He began by delivering on foot to his customers, but they increased so rapidly on account of his fair dealing and earnest attention to business, that he was soon among the foremost in his line of work, and a popular and well-known dealer. This business he still continues, but he also, in the fall of 1888, started a grocery store, which he has since conducted quite successfully at No. 34 Zane street. He is a member of the Senior Order of American Mechanics, and in is a republican. On January 14, 1879, Mr. Murphy was married to Sarah J. Huntsman, of Fairport, Ohio, and they have six children, Albert O., Ross W., Eva I., Mary M., Estella M. and Wilbur D., the eldest and youngest of whom are deceased. Errett Campbell Myers, M. D., notable among the physicians of Wheeling, is a son of Andrew E. Myers, who was prominent in the religious and educational history of West Virginia. The latter was a native of middle Tennessee, born in 1822, son of John Myers, a native Virginia. In 1851 he began attendance at Bethany college, Brooke county, having been attracted there by the fame of Alexander Campbell. Having previously attended good schools in the south, he completed the course at Bethany after a year or so, and then entered the ministry of the Christian church. About the same time he was married to Charity Ann Cox, the daughter of Isaac Cox, whose wife, Susan Brown, was a cousin of Margaret Brown, the first wife of Alexander Campbell. The father of Isaac Cox was one of the pioneers of Brooke county. After Andrew E. Myers had for a year or two performed evangelistic work in the ministry of the Christian church, traveling often with Bishop Campbell, he settled near West Liberty, Brooke county, and served for thirty years as the pastor of 388 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. Dutch Fork church, in Pennsylvania, near the West Virginia line. He was regarded as a fine pulpit orator. Having much public spirit as well as devotion to his church, he was prominent in various ways, and for twenty years was one of the trustees of Bethany college, holding the position of treasurer at his death, which occurred January 16, 1889. His grave is within a few feet of that of his famous teacher and leader, Alexander Campbell. His widow, the .mother of their two sons and two daughters, passed away January 25, 1889. Of these children, three are living, mentioned below: John A. Myers, Ph. D., director of the government agricultural experiment station of West Virginia, was graduated at Bethany college, in 1865, and then taught for one year in Butler university, Indiana. He then went to Europe, and pursued his studies in Germany, also spefiding three years in travel. On his return he taught chemistry during one year at the University of Kentucky, at Lexington, a position he resigned to accept that of professor of chemistry in the Agricultural and Mechanical college, of Mississippi, being also appointed to the office of state chemist. That professorship he resigned to accept his present. position. Professor Myers was born in 1853. Dr. Errett Campbell Myers was born in Ohio county, January 3o, 1856. He was educated at Bethany college, and studied medicine with Dr. John H. Cox, an uncle, as preceptor. In 1876 he entered the Miami college, but after one year's study there entered the University of Maryland, at Baltimore,-where he was graduated in 1879. He was then appointed resident physician of Bayview hospital, at Baltimore, where he remained several months. In 188o he made his home at the Island, Wheeling, and began the practice of his profession, which has since continued, with notable success. He was the first health officer of Ohio county, under the new law, and is a member and president of the medical societies of the city of Wheeling, the county of Ohio and of the state. Dr. Myers was married in October, 1883; to Anna C. Campbell, a daughter of Thomas Campbell, ex-sheriff of Ohio county. She died in September, 1884. Miss Irene T. Myers, the third of the surviving children, was born in Louisiana, and was educated at Hamilton college, at Lexington, Ky., and at Bethany, taking the first honors in both institutions. William Myles, for many years a resident of Wheeling, is a pioneer in photographic art at that city, and has also been prominent in public affairs, holding at present the office of city collector. He was born in county Cork, Ireland, June To, 1835, the son of John and Mary Myles. In November, 185o, he landed at New Orleans, having made the ocean voyage unaccompanied by friends, and he came up the river to Wheeling, where relatives resided. He found employment on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad construction, and assisted in driving the spikes to connect the two parts of that line. He was then occupied in a large stone quarry in Ohio, where stone was. being obtained for railroad bridges, and after a year of that occupation, returned to Wheeling where for seven years, he was engaged in mills. His leisure hours, during this period, he devoted to the study of the OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 389 daguerreotype process, making his own experiments, and he also made himself familiar with the ambrotype. Retiring from mill work, he engaged in distilling alcohol, and was the first and the last man to successfully distill alcohol at this city. In 1862, Mr. Myles became an operator, at Wylke's gallery, and some of the first photographs made in the city were of his production. He opened a gallery of his own in Center Wheeling in 1865, and continued in that business until 089. Mr. Myles has been prominent in municipal affairs, has represented the Fifth ward for twelve years in both branches of the city council, and was twice elected to the board of county commissioners, serving as president in his second term. In 1884-5, he represented the county in the state legislature. He was elected city collector in 1889. Mr. Myles' parents joined him at Wheeling in 1854, and here they died, the father in 1882, aged eighty-four, and the mother in 1885, aged ninety years. John W. Myles, son of the above, was born in Wheeling, in 1857. He received a good education in his native city, and pursued the study of art under Costiggena, the celebrated artist who is completing the art work in the national capital. He is now engaged in portrait work, at No. 2154 Main street. Samuel G. Naylor, a retail grocer of Wheeling, W. Va., was born near Wellsburg, Brooke county, Va. (now West Virginia), March 13, 1841. His father, Joseph R. Naylor, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, December 25, 1817, was twice married, the second time May 1o, 1840, to Hester C., daughter of John Kimberland, who was a pioneer of Jefferson county, Ohio. She was born in that county December 12, 1817. To this marriage were born ten children, of whom Samuel G. was the oldest. His father died October 2, 1887, and his mother August 19, of the same year. He was well educated in his youth in the Wellsburg schools, and at an early age chose teaching as a profession, which he followed for some ten years, during which time he was principal of the Brooke academy and afterward principal of the female seminary at Wellsburg, and in 1864-5 was principal of Madison school at Wheeling, which position he resigned on account of failing health. He then for several years engaged as traveling salesman for Wheeling wholesale houses, and in 1882 became a member of the firm of Naylor, McCammon, & Co.; wholesale dealers in queensware and glassware. He severed his connection with the firm in the spring of 1886 to engage in the grocery trade. By his industry, energy and enterprise he has buiit up a-profitable business, his establishment at the corner of Virginia street and Broadway being one of the popular grocery houses of the city. Mr. Naylor is a member of the Christian church, of which he has been an elder for several years; his wife is also a devoted member of the same church. He is an earnest and active Sunday-school worker, at present having charge of an interesting mission school, cornier of Jacob and Thirty-first streets. Mr. Naylor was married February 13, 1862, to Addie, daughter of Henry and Alzina Melvin, of Wellsburg, \V. Va., and they have had six children: Annie B., Joseph C. (deceased) , Mattie M., Birdie (deceased), Carrie L., and Grafton R. 390 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. John Niehaus, one of the oldest grocers of Wheeling, was born in Prussia, March 25, 1828, the only child reared by John and Elizabeth Niehaus. With them he came to America in 1846, embarking at Bremen June 6, and landing at Baltimore, whence they came directly to Wheeling, reaching there in the latter part of August, 1846. At that city the father died July 31, 1862, and the mother in April, 1869. Mr. Niehaus was first employed at Wheeling, in the Top rolling mill, from August, 1846, until May, 1861. During the following three years he was employed in the Belmo-nt Iron works, after which he was in the Top mill another period of two years. Meanwhile he had established a grocery store on Main street, of which he has since been the proprietor. From 1862 Until r866, the business during his absence was conducted by the family. In the latter named year he retired from the mill work and has since given his whole attention to the grocery trade, doing business ever since on Main street, and occupying for the last nineteen years a two-story brick building at No. 400, which he erected in the winter of 1869-70. Mr. Niehaus was married October 18, 1857, to Elizabeth Habig, who was born at Wheeling, the daughter of Amatus and Anna Mary Habig, natives of Germany. She is the oldest of their eleven clildren, of whom three sons and four daughters are living. Her father died April 18, 186, from injuries received in an explosion at the Top mill. Mr. and Mrs. Niehaus have had the following children: Henry, John, Joseph, Mary (deceased), Dorothea; Amelia (deceased), Peter, Andrew (deceased), Edward, George and Bernard. Parents and children are members of the Catholic church. L. H. Nowviock is one of the well-known citizens and landscape gardeners of Wheeling. For the last fourteen years he has been engaged in that business, carrying on a florist business also, in Wheeling, having an experience altogether in that line of over thirty-five years. He was born in Delaware county, Penn., May 16, 1827. The first of the Nowviock family to come to America was John Godfrey Nowviock, who was a native of Prussia, but of Russian descent. He was a highly educated man and was a teacher and navigator, owning his own vessel, and June I I, 1774, he landed at Philadelphia. He was a distinguished soldier in the Revolutionary war, being aid-decamp to Gen. Lafayette, and was with that general when they went to Washington's relief at Delaware. After the close of the war he returned to. Europe, and brought over his family and the material for building a house. He built one of the first brick houses on Cherry street, Philadelphia, where he opened and taught a classical school, teaching the different languages. He also served in the war of 1812, dying about 1816. Mention of his name is made in one of the histories of Pennsylvania, in connection with the Revolutionary war. He was the father of two sons and two daughters, all now deceased, of whom John Godfrey Nowviock, Jr., was the oldest, and was the father of the subject of this sketch. John Nowviock, Jr., was born in Philadelphia in 1800. When a boy he was bound ont to a Mr. Dallet, and after the death of that gentleman he learned the boot and shoe business with a Mr. Franklin, and later carried on the manufacture OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 391 of boots and shoes quite extensively. From Philadelphia he removed to Delaware county, Penn., where, in 1844, he retired from the boot and shoe business and engaged in farming. Later he removed to Montgomery county, Penn., and engaged in farming more extensively. He left Montgomery county in 1851, and went to Perry county, Penn., where he entered the lumber business, carrying it on in connection with his farming. Here he died in January, 1852. He was married in Delaware county in 1825 to Eliza Hampton, who was born in Chester county, Penn., in 1805. Her ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Pennsylvania, they being of those who settled there before William Penn made his famous treaty with the red men, and aave to that territory his name. Her death occurred in 1851 on the farm at Montgomery's Ferry, in Perry county. They were both Protestants. There were four sons and two daughters born to these parents, all of whom, with the exception of one son, are living. One son and a daughter reside in Perry county, Penn.; one daughter in Dauphin county, Penn., and one son in the state of Iowa:. L. H. Nowviock was brought up in Delaware and Montgomery counties, He was educated in the common schools of the state, and at the age seventeen, began to learn the florist's business, serving his time under two different men named Sherwood and Buest. He engaged in the florist business for himself in Philadelphia, where the park is now situated, in 1847. Two years later he went to Montgomery county, where he remained until 186o, and then went to Harrisburg, Penn., where he acted in the capacity of private gardner. He spent about four years in Lancaster and the adjoining county of Dauphin, and in 1865 went to the oil regions. Afterward he spent four years in the south, but later returned to the oil country. In 1877 he came to Wheeling, and the following year established himself in the florist and landscape-gardening business. About a year and a half later he went to Moundsville where he entered into a partnership with R. B. Curtis in the same business, but in 188o returned to Wheeling and rented-the Seybold property in South Wheeling, and began the cultivation of plants and the sale of cut flowers. In the flood of 1884 he lost all his property, but re-rented the place and continued there until April, 1888, when he abandoned the cultivation of plants and flowers and located at No. 1063 Main street, where he is dealing in cut flowers, imported bulbs, trees and shrubs, also vegetable and flower seeds of all kinds. Mr: Nowviock has always been a democrat, and has always taken an interest in public affairs. Col. Thomas O'Brien, of Wheeling, a gentleman actively and creditably associated with the real estate and financial interests of the city, was born in county Cavin, Ireland, in 1830. He came to the United States in 1851 and almost directly to Wheeling, where he found employment in various humble and laborious capacities for a considerable period. Finally he obtained a position in the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad company as laborer and clerk, and was so occupied when the war of the rebellion broke out. In that emergency he displayed true patriotism and assisted in raising the 392 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. first company of Virginia volunteers for the Union army, whose services were tendered to the federal government for the defense of the national capital. Of this company he was made,second lieutenant, and after a service of four months was honorably discharged. He was then given a clerkship in the Wheeling postoffice, a position he held for three years, or until discharged for voting for General McClellan in 1864. He next embarked in the real estate business and stock brokerage, in which he has since been engaged. During Johnson's administration Col. O'Brien was appointed surveyor of the port of Wheeling, a position he held during that administration. He was appointed to Gov. Jacob's staff with the rank of colonel, and occupied that position for six years. In 1880 he was nominated by the democratic party for the office of treasurer of West Virginia and elected, and this responsible position was honorably filled by him until March 4, 1885. He has also held the office of councilman of the city from the Fourth and Third wards. Col. O'Brien embarked in the banking 'business fifteen or sixteen years ago as a- director of the People's bank, and for some time was its vice-president, and upon the resignation of Mr. Peed, now deceased, Col. O'Brien was elected president of that well-known institution, a position he still holds. He is also connected with the Belmont Nail company as stockholder and director, and is in the same capacity with the Natural Gas company of West Virginia; is president of two building and loan associations, and was one of the founders and first directors of the West Virginia China company, and is now vice-president of the chamber of commerce. Col. O'Brien was married in 1853 to Kate Gillespie, a native of Scotland, and they have had born to them fourteen children, of whom eleven are living. Michael J. O'Kane, one of the most prominent and influential citzens of Ohio county, and one of the oldest-manufacturers and dealers in boots and shoes in Wheeling, was born in county Derry, Ireland, August 20, 1829. He is a son of James O'Kane and Bridget Hagan, both of whom were natives of Derry. In 1834 his father left the Emerald ISle and came to the United States. Selecting .Philadelphia as his future home, he sent for his family, and they joined him there in the spring of 1839. On the first of October, 1849, death visited the family and took from its midst the mother of the subject of our sketch in the fifty-sixth year of her age. Shortly after, February 17, 185o, death again visited the family and took from it the father in the fifty-eighth year of his age. Of the six children born to them, five survive. Michael J. O'Kane, the second oldest of the children, was but ten years of age when he took up his residence in Philadelphia. There he learned the trade of a shoemaker and worked at it a number of years. In 1860 he came to Wheeling, and in 1864 opened up a shop of his own. For four years he worked alone at his trade. His skillful work and upright ways began to be appreciated by the public and he was rewarded with a very liberal patronage. In 1868 he entered into partnership with Jame Divine. For nine years they worked at custom work in a store below the Odd Fellow's hall. OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 393 Year by year their trade steadily increased. In 1877 they moved to the McLain's block and opened up business in one of those large store rooms. Here they continued to make custom work and laid the foundations of an extensive trade in eastern work. This large store room was found too small for their rapidly increasing business, and they moved to more commodious quarters on Main street. After doing business on Main street some years, the partnership was, in. 1887, dissolved and Mr. O'Kane opened up his present large and handsome establishment at No. 1113 Main street, where, besides doing an extensive retail business and carrying somewhat of a wholesale trade he gives special attention to custom work and repairing. This establishment ranks among the largest and finest fitted up retail boot and shoe establishments in the city. Boots and shoes of every style and fashion and at the lowest figures are to be found there. Mr. O'Kane, while conducting his large shoe establishment, has not allowed his mind be wholly engrossed by it, but has ever given due attention to public affairs and is one of the foremost, active and influential citizens of the " Nail city." He is connected with several charitable institutions of the city, and is at present one of the directors of the city hospital. His uprightness, kindness, and other sterling qualities have won him hosts of friends. In 1888 he was elected as a democratic candidate to represent that stronly republican ward, the second, in the city council, a position he now fills. An intense lover of his city, state, and of the country at large, he has a deep affection for the place of his- birth, the Emerald Isle, too. He is ever active in his sympathy for her and in promoting her welfare. Mr.. O' Kane was married at Philadelphia in 1853, to Honora Welsh, a native of county Waterford, Ireland, and to their union nine children have been born, six of whom are living. He, his wife and family are members of the Catholic church, and their oldest son, Robert E., was ordained a priest of that church, February 3, 1890, and is at present stationed at Clarksburg, W. Va. Samuel Ott, one of the pioneer merchants of Wheeling, was born at Woodstock, Va., in 1793, and in 1837, came to Wheeling and formed a partnership with Joseph Pollock in the hardware trade. On Mr. Pollock's retirement three years later, he associated himself with Jacob R. Grier, and the firm thus formed continued for ten or fifteen years. He was also associated for about ten years with John E. Boyd in the wholesale dry goods business. In about the year 1854 he admitted his son, M. L. Ott and Samuel J. Boyd, to a partnership in the hardware businrss, and when four years later Boyd retired, Henry Ott was admitted to the firm, which became known as S. Ott, Son & Co. Samuel Ott died in 1868, and subsequently two sons and William P. Heiskell' became partners in the hardware business, which is still continued under the old firm name, and is one of the prominent and widely known houses of Wheeling. Samuel Ott did not confine his enterprise to his mercantile transactions, but wasalso president of the Wheeling cotton mill, president of the Merchants' and Mechanics' bank, and a director of the Wheeling Savings institution. His wife 394 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. Sidney I., was borri in Winchester, Va., a daughter of John Heiskell, a well-known journalist of that place. She died in 1881 at the age of seventy-three years. Of the seven children born to these parents six are living. Thomas F. Owens, who has for many years been a well-known citizen of Wheeling, was born in county Mayo, Ireland, June 22, 1828, the son of Thomas and Margaret (Foy) Owens, natives of county Mayo, who passed their lives in that country. He was the third born of the ten children of these parents, and the only survivor, beside himself, is a sister, now Sister Mary Joseph, of Parkersburg, W. Va. Three other of the children came to America, but are now deceased, and one of these left a child named Margaret Gallagher. Mr. Owens at the age of nineteen, in 1847, embarked at Liverpool, and landing at Boston, went directly to New Hampshire, whence after something over a year's residence he went to Sheboygan, Wis., where he was married to Rose Lynch. Subsequently he resided at Sheboygan Falls, Wis., until 185o, when he came to Wheeling, which has since been his home. He was first employed here in the construction of the McLure House, in which he subsequently secured the position of second engineer, and six months later was promoted to first engineer. This position he held nearly eighteen years, and then for two years was in the transportation business. He became in 1868 the proprietor of a bottling establisnment, which he conducted until 1870. In the latter year he erected the three-story brick residence at No. 30 Sixteenth street, which he has since occupied. For two years after 1883 Mr. Owens was engaged in the dry goods business, and he subsequently embarked in the grocery business, making a specialty of teas, and this trade he has since continued, with noteworthy success. He and wife are members of the Roman Catholic church, and he' is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and present state treasurer of the order. By his first marriage Mr. Owens had nine children: Mary, Peter, Thomas, Catherine, Edward and Margaret, who are deceased, and Margaret J., Anna and James Joseph, who survive. The mother of these children died March lo, 1872, and on December 29, 1883, he was married to Anna O'Connell, his present wife, who was born December 17, 1848, in Galway, Ireland, by whom he has these children: Mary C., born November 1, 1874; Thomas B., January 15, 1877; Vincent L., July 13, 1879; Agnes Loretta, April 21, 1882; Rose Clare, September 25, 1884,. and John Joseph, May 15, 1887, of whom all survive. Archibald W. Paull, president of the Nail City Lantern company, is a son of Judge James Paull, elsewhere mentioned, and was born at Wheeling, November 26, 1845. He was reared in his native city, and received his early education at the Linsly institute and the select school of Prof. Wilson Harding. In 1861 he entered Washington and Jefferson' college, of Pennsylvania, and was graduated there in 1865. Two years later he embarked in the book, stationery and notion trade at Wheeling, and was so engaged until 1878, when he organized the Nail City Lantern company, of which he has since been 395 - OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. president. Beginning with a modest plant and a few hands, this enterprise has had a wonderful development in a few years, and now gives employment to 200 men. This company manufactures kerosene and railroad lanters of improved construction, and Mason fruit jars, and various other minor products. The establishment now occupies four floors of a building 11ox35. In 1885 a glass house was established in connection with the business. Mr. Paull, who is an enterprising and popular citizen, has evinced in the management and building up of this institution, rare ability as an organizer and business man. He was married October, 1868, to Caroline B., daughter of Samuel and Sidney (Heiskell) Ott, of Wheeling, by whom he has two children, Archibald W. Jr., and Irwin. George Paull, of the well-known wholesale houses of Hubbard & Paull, of Wheeling, W. Va., was born in that city July ro, 1837: He is the son of Thomas Paull, a native of Pennsylvania, who cane to Wheeling at an early period of the city's history, and became one of its leading citizens and pioneer merchants. His career, an honorable and busy one, was ended by death in 1858. The subject of this sketch was reared at Wheeling, receiving his education at the Linsly institute. In 1852 he embarked in mercantile life as a clerk for Jacob Senseny, one of the early merchants, with whom he remained seven years. He was afterward in the retail grocery trade a year and a half, after which he removed to Vevay, Ind., and remained there seven years, conducting a general store. Returning to Wheeling in 1868, he became a member of the firm of. Howell, Bloomfield & Co., which continued under this style until three years later, when Mr. Bloomfield retired, and Josiah St. Clair was admitted, the firm title becoming Howell, Paull & St. Claire. Two yeats later the firm was. dissolved and for over a year and a half Mr. Paull conducted the business alone. In 1880 the firm of Hubbard, Paull & Co., was formed, which continued for two years, Messrs. Hubbard and Paull becoming at the end of that time the sole proprietors. The house is one of the leading wholesale grocery establishments of the city, and is well-known throughout the region, covered by the wholesale trade of Wheeling. Mr. Paull, as a citizen and neighbor, is highly esteemed. He is a member of the Fourth Street Methodist church. In 186o he was married to Lizzie C., daughter of Barnet Zook, of Wheeling. This lady died in 1888, leaving two daughters. Mr. Paull was married a second time, in 1876, to Lizzie M. Parker, who died February 5, 1887. The late Judge James Paull was one of the most prominent members of the old Wheeling bar, and enjoyed a widespread reputation as one of the profound jurists and able public men of West Virginia. He was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1818, the son of George and Elizabeth Paull. He was thoroughly educated in childhood and youth, and after completing preparatory studies in Cross Creek, Penn., he entered Washington college, in that state, at which he was graduated in June, 1835. He then came to W heeling, and choosing law as his profession, read in the office of Z. Jacob, and finished his legal studies in the law department of the University of Virginia. Nearly 396 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. the whole of his career as a lawyer and public man was spent at Wheeling, where he was locally esteemed as an estimable citizen. In 1872 he was elected a judge of supreme court of appeals of West Virginia, a high position which he filled with honor and credit, performing its laborious duties with an industry and application that fatally impaired his health.. His decisions rank with the permanent and valuable contributions to the law of the state. Judge Paull also represented Ohio county during two terms in the state legislature of Virginia. He died May 11, 1875, being at that time a resident of Wellsburg,. Brooke county, to which place he had removed eighteen-months before. Judge Paull was twice married, first, to Jane A., daughter of the late Judge Joseph L. Fry. To this union were born three sons: Archibald W., Joseph F. and Alfred, all citizens of Wheeling. By his second wife, Eliza J., daughter of Samuel Ott, deceased, of Wheeling, Judge Paull had five children, and his widow is now living at Wellsburg. Alfred Paull, son of the above, is now prominently associated with the business interests of Wheeling. He was born at that city October 14, 1854. He was given .a liberal education, preparing for college at the Wheeling schools, and then entering Washington college,. Pennsylvania, where he was a student for over two years. Beginning his active career at Wheeling, he became secretary of the Nail City Glass company, a position he held for several years, leaving it in 1881 to enter the insurance business as secretary of the Manufacturers' Insurance company. In January, 1885, he was elected secretary of the Underwriter's Insurance company, of Wheeling, a position he has since held. He is associated with other well-known enterprises also, being a director in the Nail City Lantern company, the American Insurance company, and the Dollar Savings bank. Mr. Paull is a member of Bates lodge, No. 33, F. & A. M., of Wheeling, of Union chapter, No. 1, of Cyrene commandery, No. 7, K. T., and is a member of Osiris temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. Joseph R. Paull, a prominent member of the bar of Wheeling, was nominated in 1888, by the republican party for the office of judge of the circuit court, for the first judicial district of West Virginia, and was elected, and this position of honorable distinction he now fills in a worthy and creditable manner. Judge Paull was born in Fayette county, Penn., December 9, 1848. His collegiate education was received at Washington and Jefferson college, where he attended two years, and in Lafayette college, where he was graduated in 1871. Selecting the profession of law as his vocation, he began the study with Daniel Kane, of Uniontown, Penn., and a year later he entered Columbia law college, where he pursued his studies for one year. In September, 1875, he was admitted to the bar at Uniontown, Penn., and in the following December, he removed to Wheeling, and was admitted to the bar. He then began the practice of his profession in that city, where he has ever since resided. Theodore W. Phinney, a well-known business man of Wheeling, who as secretary and treasurer of the Standard Axle Manufacturing company, is prominently associated with the manufacturing enter- OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 397 prises of the city, was born at Barnstable, Mass., in 1847. He is a son of S. B. Phinney, a native of New England, who is now in his eighty-third year, a retired citizen of Barnstable. He is a well-known man, through his connection with the editorial profession and politics, was proprietor of the Barnztable Patriot from its foundation in 1839, until about ten years ago, and among other honorable public positions has held that of collector of the port. His son, Theodore, was reared at Barnstable, and given a liberal education. When only sixteen years of age he associated himself with his father in the newspaper business, and so continued for five years. He then, in 1867, went to Chicago, and thence in January, 1870, came to Wheeling and engaged in the manufacture of tacks and nails, a business which occupied his attention for a number of years. In 1887, he sold his interest in that business and organized the Standard Axle Manufacturing company, for the production of wagon, carriage and buggy axles, of an improved pattern. Of this company he holds the position of secretary and treasurer, John H. Hobbs, is president and A. D. Howe, manager. The factory is one of the successful institutions of the city. Mr. Phinney is a Master Mason of Bates lodge. He was married in 1873 to Helen Frances Hobbs, daughter of John H. Hobbs, of Wheeling, and they have one daughter, Mary H. Daniel Z. Phillips, justice of the peace of Wheeling, was born in that city June II, 185o. He is a grandson of A. M. Phillips, a native of Pennsylvania. Prior to 1820 he removed to Steubenville, Ohio, and in 1828 or 1829 settled at Wheeling. He was a blacksmith by trade, and soon after his arrival started a machine shop, which he conducted up to 1844. Subsequently he served as inspector of hulls by appointment of President Buchanan, and was removed by President Lincoln. He had the following children: Arthur M., James W., George, Samuel, Hans W., John, Andrew J.; Jane, wife of Junius Beebe; Hannah M., wife of A. Y. Smith; Isabel, wife of Daniel Dunbar; Mary, wife of Lucius Hoge, and Margaret. Hans W. Phillips was a book-keeper in his father's shop and succeeded to the business and conducted it until 1872 or 1873, when he sold out. He was an enterprising man, took an active part in municipal and county affairs, and held the office of justice of the peace for twelve or fourteen years. He married Ann E., daughter of Daniel Zane, who was the son of Ebenezer Zane, one of the original settlers of the present site of Wheeling. By his marriage there were eleven children born, four of whom who grew to maturity: Daniel Z., Robert H.; Ella, wife of W. O. McCloskey, and Marrie L. W., wife of H. L. Robertson. Daniel Z., the subject of this mention, was reared in Wheeling and given a common school education, after which he entered upon a business career, which continued until August, 1882, when he was appointed justice of the peace to fill an unexpired term. Filling the office to the entire satisfaction of the public, he was elected in 1883 and again in 1887. Mr. Phillips was married April 27, 1879, to Emma, daughter of John Burgett, of Monroe county, Ohio, and they have three children: Harold H., Daniel Z., Jr., and Aura W. Mr. Phillips is a member of the North Street Metho- 398 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. dist Episcopal church, and of the order of Knights of Pythias and A. O. U. W. John H. Pipes, M. D., a prominent citizen of Wheeling, distinguished in the medical profession, is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born in Greene county, May 22, 1839. He secured his literary education at the Greene aacdemy and at Waynesburg (Penn.) college. He first devoted himself to teaching, and beginning the profession in Pennsylvania in the fail of 1858, he taught there until the breaking out of the rebellion, when he came to West Virginia, and located at Cameron. He there resumed teaching and also took up the study of medicine, In 1864 he entered the medical college at Cleveland, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1866. He then practiced for a time at Cameron, and continued his studies, graduating in 1873 at the Bellevue Medical college at New York. In the following May ' he made his home at Wheeling, where he has since resided, and has gained a successful practice, and the confidence of the community. He is a member of the board of censors of the Western Reserve Medical college, at Cleveland, a position to which he was appointed in 1888; a member of the medical societies of the city of Wheeling, and of the county of Ohio, the latter of which he has served as president. He is a member of the state medical society, in which he has held various official positions, and is a member of the American medical association. Dr. Pipes retains that interest in educational matters which characterized his younger years, and is now serving the city for the thirteenth year as a member of the board of education, to the presidency of which he was elected in 1887. In 1889 he was appointed a member of the local board of United States pension examiners, and was chosen president. John R. Pipes, M. D., a prominent young member of the medical profession of Wheeling, was born at Cameron, Marshall county, W. Va., July 6, 1865, a son of J. H. Pipes, M. D., a sketch of whom appears in this work. Dr. Pipes came to Wheeling.with his parents in 1873, and was there educated. After graduating in the public schools of the city he entered Linsly institute, where he took a preparatory course of four terms. In October, 1884, he entered the Medical department of the Western Reserve college of Ohio, and there received his degree after an exhaustive course of study in March, 1888. While in college he gave especial attention to surgery and the diseases of women, and was assistant to Dr. G. C. E. Weber, one of the most celebrated surgeons of the west, and to Dr. C. B. Parker, professor of diseases of women. Also during the summer of 1886 he held the position of house physician of the Cleveland city hospital. Returning to Wheeling after graduation, Dr. Pipes began his practice there April 25, 1888, and in the comparatively brief time that has since elapsed has built up a practice in general medicine, and has gained repute as a surgeon, to an extent that highly commends his ability. The doctor is a member of the State Medical Society of West Virginia. OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 399 * Work wins. From early in the morning until late at night, " day in and day out," a notable figure in the business circles of Wheeling may be seen seated at his desk in his office on Water street of that city. No man in that thrifty, driving locality is more regular in his business habits or more attentive to his own and the general interests of the community in which he lives. Not tall, but compactly and well proportioned; a full round head thickly covered with slightly gray hair and moustache to correspond; a strong nose; a large and fjnely developed forehead; pleasant countenance, and in personal intercourse a courteous and dignified gentleman. H is bearing is that of a man of resolute action, able to carry through important undertakings and impress his individuality upon those with whom he associates. Although possessed of wealth, his life is as unostentatious as that of the humblest citizen of his adopted state. This man is Augustus Pollack. He was born in the country home of his parents, Joseph and Bertha Pollack, on the outskirts of Bunde in the beautiful Weser valley of Westphalia, July 5, 1830. His father, who was chifly devoted to agricultural pursuits and the importation and sale of horses and Holstein cattle, entered Augustus, at the age of fourteen, at the Bunde Gymnasium (college) and after a three-years' course of study, he was apprenticed at the commercial house of Edward Gerson at Soest. While there, during the revolutionary and unsettled condition of 1848, he was offered and accepted a position with Hambleton & Sons; Baltimore, Md. Accordingly, April 5, 1849, he sailed from Bremen-haven in the London bark Margaret," arriving at Baltimore, May 18, of that year. He started business for himself in the sale of notions and fancy goods in Baltimore, in 1852. Upon the solicitations of friends he removed his business in 1854 to Wheeling, Va. March 31, 1855, he married Miss Rosalie Weinberg, at Baltimore. Six daughters and two sons were born to them. In 1858-9, when the Northwestern Virginia railroad was completed, Mr. Pollack purchased property at Grafton, erected a dwelling and store house, and in connection with the business of the Adams Express company, conducted a general store. In 186o, he established a wholesale notion house at Wheeling, which he continued until 1871, when he founded the Cigar and Tobacco Factory on Water street, where he still remains, and where he has employed over 100 hands regularly in the production of " Crown Stogie " cigars. His Grafton buildings were tendered to the government at the outbreak of the rebellion and'acknowledged by the secretary of war in. the following letter: " WAR DEPARTMENT, " WASHINGTON, June 7, 1861. " Augustus Pollack, Esq., Wheeling, Virginia: " DEAR SIR:— I have the honor to acknowledgqi the receipt of your letter of the 18th ult., addressed to the PresidenT and by him referred to this department, tendering the use of your property to the service of the Government; and in . reply beg leave to return to you the thanks of .the Department for the patriotic and liberal offer, and * By Hon. George W. Atkinson.