OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 475 Among the early residents of Wheeling deserving honorable mention was John White, a native of Kings county, Ireland, who .was born in 1808. In 1831 he was married to Bridget Dunn, who was born in Queens county, Ireland in 1805, and immediately after their marriage they came to the United States, stopping first at Philadelphia. In the next year they proceeded over the national road to what was then the west, and arrived at Wheeling, where the husband found employment in a woolen mill, he having worked in the old country as a wool-comber. Subsequently he acquired the trade of a machinist and local engineer and became connected with the city water works at their construction, and subsequently for many years was employed there. After leaving the water works he was employed as engineer for several establishments, and at the time of his decease was engineer of the water works of the Belmont mill: He took an active interest in the affairs of the city, and during the years of its development he was a valued citizen. Of the Catholic church he was a pioneer at Wheeling, settling there before a church was organized. His death occurred November 30, 1875. His widow is still living. Of the nine children born to them, three are living: Mary A., Ellen G., and John A. John A. White, son of the above, a well-known citizen of Wheeling, is extensively engaged in trade as a wholesale and retail dealer in leather shoe findings and specialtie at No. 1117 Market street. He was born in this city April 18, 1843. He attended school in the basement of the Cathedral until his fourteenth year, after which he studied one year and a half at St. Charles college at Ellicott City, Md. Returning to Wheeling he took a position in a retail grocery store, and subsequently spent two years in the dry goods business as a clerk. He then took a full course at Duff's Commercial college, at Pittsburgh, from which institution he received his diploma on September 4, 1863. He then took the position of book-keeper for the wholesale grocery house of Mr. Reilly, and remained there. until March, 1869, when he took a position with the firm of Berger & Hoffman, tanners and leather dealers. After that firm dissolved in 1876, he was for one year a member of the firm of Berger & White, which succeeded. This latter partnership was dissolved in 1877, and Mr. White then engaged in business for himself at No, 1121 Market street, whence he removed to his present place in 1886. He began on a limited scale, but has gradually increased his business until he now has the leading establishment of the kind in the city. Mr. White was married in 1869, to Margaret E., the oldest daughter of Jacob Snyder, a wholesale iron merchant of Wheeling. She is now deceased, leaving a son and two daughters. In 1883, Mr. White was married to Ellen Girvin, of Wheeling, by whom he has four children. He and family are mem- bers of the Cathedral church. Col. Robert White, a distinguished citizen of West Virginia, formerly attorney general of the state, is a member of a family which has been notable in the history of Virginia. His great-grandfather, Robert White, was a surgeon in the British navy, and at an early period in the settlement of the state made his home in the valley of Virginia. 476 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. His two sons rose to distinction. Alexander, a worthy patriot, became a member of the first congress of the United States. Robert, the other son, a native of Winchester, did patriotic service in the field during the revolution, was an officer in the Continental army and received a severe wound at the battle of Monmouth, though at that time only seventeen years of age. Subsequently he became a successful lawyer; sat upon the bench some forty years, and was president of the old general court of Virginia. John Baker White, son of the latter, was born at Winchester in 1794, and was clerk of the circuit and county courts of Hampshire county from the time he was twenty years until the year of his death, 1862. He married Frances Ann, daughter of Rev. Christian Streit, who from his early manhood during the war of the revolution, down to .1830, the year of his death, was the minister of the Lutheran church at Winchester, Va. Mrs. White was born about 1809; was married about 1831, and her death occurred in 1879. These parent had nine children: Robert, John (deceased) Louisa (deceased), Christian, Alexander (deceased) , Henry, Fannie, Lucy, and one who died in infancy.. The eldest son, whose name heads this sketch, was born in the town of Romney, Hampshire county, then in the Old Dominion, February 7, 1833. He received his early education at the seminary taught by Rev. Dr. William Henry Foote, a celebrated Presbyterian divine, and subsequently entered his father's office as assistant clerk, when about fourteen years of 'age. There he remained, in the meantime reading law, until 1853, when he began attendance at the law school of Judge John W. Brockenbrough at Lexington, Va., where he took two courses. He obtained license to practice March 30, 1854, and opened an office at Romney on April 1, following. He was prospering in his profession, when in May, 1861, being captain of an uniformed militia company, organized some time previous, he was ordered by the governor of Virginia to report at Harper's Ferry for active service. He moved to that place with his command, and joined the forces of Gen. " Stonewall" Jackson, his company being assigned to the Thirteenth infantry, under Col., afterward Gen., A. P. Hill. Subsequently he raised a battalion of cavalry, which was increased to a regiment (the Twenty-third cavalry), of which he was commissioned colonel. He served as such until the close of the war, and then returned to Romney, May 14, 1865. Soon afterward he formed a law partnership with Judge J. J. Jacob, afterward governor of West Virginia, and this firm existed until the election of the latter to that office. He became noted as an attorney, and also took an active part in public measures. Chiefly through his efforts the institution for the deaf, dumb and blind was located at Romney, and he was for several years one of its board of regents and its secretary. He organized and was president of the South Branch Railroad company, the railroad now connecting his native town with the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. In the summer of 1876 Col. White was nominated by the democratic party for the office of attorney general, and was elected in the following October by a majority of nearly 17,000, the largest ever given in the history of the state. Believing OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 477 that the duties of his office demanded his removal to the then state capital, he left Romney April 1, 1877, and has ever since made his home at Wheeling. He retired from office March 4, 1881, and declining a renomination, resumed the practice of law, in which his brilliant talents and integrity of character have conjoined to crown his untiring industry with success. Since removing to Wheeeling he has served one term in the legislature as the representative of Ohio county. He is now senior member of the law firm of White & Allen, and city solicitor of Wheeling. He is an active member of the First Presbyterian church and a ruling elder, and also prominent in the Masonic order. He was first made a Mason in 1856, and is now a Knight Templar; was master of his lodge for a number of years, and is a past grand master of West Virginia. Col. White was married May 26, 1859, to Ellen E., daughter of James C. Voss, of Richmond, Va., and they have had six children, of whom two survive, Marshall V., clerk in the offices of. the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, and Catherine. Daniel Whitehead was a leading business man of Wheeling for many years. His birth occurred in January, 1828, at Mount Pleasant, Lancashire, seven miles from the city of Manchester, England. He received a fair education, and then learned the painter's trade, which he followed in England until January, 1858, at which time he came to the United States. Settling in Wheeling, where George Wood, his brother-in-law lived, he worked at his trade until the breaking out of the rebellion. April of same year his wife and two children joined him in his new home. Enlisting in Company E, of the First West Virginia regiment of infantry of the Union army, he served with them two years and eleven months, fighting valliantly for his adopted country. He received an honorable discharge for physical disability and returned to Wheeling, where he resumed his old trade, continuing in this until his death, August 15, 1886. During his business career he carried on one of the largest businesses in his line, employing from ten to twelve men. The Custom house and the Mt. DeChantall college are specimens of his skill. He was a very well read man, pronounced in his views and having the courage of his convictions. He was a born republican, and his republican sentiments were the chief cause of his coming to the United States from England. He was reared in the Episcopel church and died in that faith. Mr. Whitehead was married in England to Hannah Wood, who still survives him, residing in Wheeling. Three children were born to this marriage: one son and two daughters, one of the latter dying in England; the other one was the wife of James McGranahan, a prominent contractor and builder of Wheeling, Mary H., died in November, 1871. The son is Ralph Whitehead, the subject of this biography. Ralph Whitehead was born in Staleybridge, near Manchester, England,, August 1, 1851. He came to Wheeling with his parents in 1858, and has since lived here. He was educated in the public schools of the latter city, and in 1867 entered St. Vincent's college, where he remained for two years. After leaving college he entered the service of the Western Union Telegraph company as dispatch copier, and in 1871 began to learn the  478 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. brick layer's trade with John Boring, deceased. He served two years with Boring and then entered the employ of Andrews & Kirk, furnace builders and bricklayers and contractors. He was connected with that firm for four years, and in 1877 started into business for himself as a contractor. Mr. Whitehead carried on this business for some four years, at the expiration of which time he entered the Wheeling postoffice, where he remained for three years. He then returned to brick contracting and met with success in this business until 1889, when he again entered the Wheeling postoffice, this time as superintendent of letter carriers, and he still holds this responsible position. Since 1870, Whitehead has been very prominent in political circles. In 1882 he became a member of the Ohio county republican executive committee, and was its chairman in 1886, and again in 1888, and is at present writing, filling this place of honor. He attends all of the state conventions as a delegate. In 1888 he removed from the Fourth ward to a handsome new residence on the Island. Mr. Whitehead is a member of, and the master of Ohio lodge, No. J, F. & A. M., Excelsior, No. 40, I.O.O.F., is also a member of the Bricklayers' Union, which organization he was a delegate to in 1889, in the international convention held at Cleveland, Ohio. He was married March 21, 1874, to Miss Lavinia Combs, of Wheeling. They are the parents of four children: Mary, George, Edmund and Stella. Ludwig Wilhelm, a prominent citizen of Wheeling, is a native of Saxe-Weimar, Germany, born March 20, 1832. He was reared in his native land, and on June, 1852, he landed at Baltimore. He was married July 17, 1853, to Bertranda Mihm. They proceeded directly to Wheeling, where Mr. Wilhelm found employment in trimming and finally in the saddlery trade. In November, 1857, he opened a saddlery store on the south side, and has ever since continued to deal in harness, trunks, saddles, etc., his place being now one of the oldest and most prominent in the city. Subsequently he turned his attention to grapegrowing, and in about 1865 purchased four or five acres of land, and planted a vineyard, which he has carefully cultivated and improved until he now has one of the most productive vineyards of this region From the product of the vineyard he manufactures annually a large quantity of fine domestic wines, in which he deals at wholesale. The land which he took as a vineyard was, at the time of its purchase, a wilderness, but he has made it a most attractive spot. Mr. Wilhelm is a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic church. - By his marriage, above mentioned, he has had thirteen children, five of whom are living: Josephine, Bertrand, Magnus; Matilda, wife of William Vogler, and Louis. Albert L. Wilkie is a member of the extensive dry goods firm of George M. Snook & Co., doing an immense business in the city of Wheeling and vicinity. Mr. Wilkie is a native of Wheeling, having been born in that city, April 8, 1859. He is the son of John and Elizabeth Wilkie. The father is deceased, but the mother still survives. Mr. Wilkie received his education in the German and public schools of the city, and when but thirteen years old entered the em- OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 479 ploy of Henry Rcemer as a cash boy and remained in his service for seven years.. His aptitude for the business was soon manifested and he was gradually promoted until at the time he left the firm he was one of the best clerks in the establishment. After leaving Mr. Rcemer's employ, Mr. Wilkie became connected with the firm of George E. Stifel & Co., as a clerk, and remained in this capacity for four years, he then became a member of the firm. In 1884 he embarked in the dry goods business with George M. Snook and George Rentsch, the firm name being George M. Snook & Co. This house has become one of the most popular concerns in West Virginia. Its members are all self-made men, and like all men who have made a true success in life, they are energetic and of knoWn integrity. George E. Wilkinson, manager of the Riverside forge and bar mills, was born at Cambridge, Mass., March 11, 1852. He is the son of Col. Nathan Wilkinson, deceased, a prominent citizen of Wheeling, who is mentioned elsewhere. Coming to Wheeling when about two years of age, Mr. Wilkinson has ever since made his home at this city. He received his education at the Linsly institute, and at Pleasant Hill seminary, West Middleton, Penn., after which, in September, 1867, he entered the employment of the Riverside Iron company, beginning as an iron worker. He perfected himself in his craft and rose gradually in position in the mill, until in 1881, he was made manager of the bar mill. In 1885 he was given charge of both the forge and bar mills, a position he has since held, having under his supervision over 180 men in the two mills and the coal mines. The duties of this responsible post he has discharged to the entire satisfaction of the corporation, and he is popular with all with whom he is associated. Mr. Wilkinson is a resident of the Sixth ward of the city, and is well-known and influential in various channels. He was married in 1872, to Frances Gregg, and six children have been born to them, but one of whom survives. Will J. Willis, one of the most successful and enterprising young business men of Wheeling, was born October 1, 1868. His parents are Robert and Fannie (Smythe) Willis, of Canadian and Irish birth, respectively. Robert Willis is a descendant of a very old and distinguished Canadian family, and is at present one of the most extensive agriculturists in his native country. William Willis received his scholastic training in the schools of Stewarttown, Canada, his birthplace, and afterwards graduated from the college at that place. His first business experience was obtained in Toronto, Canada, where he learned the grocery business. In 1883 Mr. Willis came to Wheeling and at once entered the employ of his uncle, R. J. Smythe, with whom he remained until Mr. Smythe's death in 1887. The business was purchased by Conner & Snedeker at that time and operated by them until April 1, 1890. Mr. Willis continued in the employ of Conner & Snedeker until the retirement of Mr. Snedeker when he purchased his interest in the establishment and is now the managing partner. This firm is probably the largest retail grocery house doing business in West Virginia, and Mr. Willis's position in the firm speaks more 480 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. than any words could for his great ability and enterprise. It is seldom that so young a man attains such a marked success. At a time when the average man is but entering on his business career Mr. Willis has placed himself in a position for speedily becoming one of the most prominent commercial men in the upper Ohio valley, and it is safe to say that should he continue as he has begun it is but a question of a few years before he will take his stand in the very front ranks of the business men of Wheeling. He is a communicant of the Episcopal church, and a 'staunch supporter of the republican party. Andrew Wilson came of old pioneer stock. His grandfather was Alexander Wilson, who was Scotch-Irish, and came to what is now Brooke county, W. Va., prior to the Revolutionary war. Samuel Wilson, son of Alexander, was the father of Andrew. He was a farmer and slaveholder, but manumitted his slaves before his death. He was married three times. His second wife was Mary Patterson of Brooke county. She was the mother of Andrew, who was born at the old homestead, May, 1810. The early life of Andrew was passed on the farm with but limited educational advantages. He served an apprenticeship as a millwright, but never worked at the trade. On attaining his majority he commenced taking cargoes of flour to New Orleans, and found it very remunerative. He was afterward engaged in the steamboat business. In 1837 he moved to Jackson county and engaged in the saw- and flour-mill business. In 1838 he married his cousin, Mary Patterson, daughter of Robert Patterson, of Jefferson county, Ohio,who was a member of the Ohio legislature for many years. She died in 1843, leaving two children, one of whom died in childhood. Her son, Robert P. Wilson, was educated in Wheeling, and in 1861 was appointed second lieutenant of the Seventeenth United States infantry. He served through the war with the " Army of the Potomac," and in January, 1865, was promoted to a captaincy, and the following March was brevetted Major in the Tenth United States infantry for "gallant and meritorious service during the war." His military reputation was that of a " brave and skillful officer, with great coolness and self-possession under fire." In his private life he was genial, quiet and gentle in his manners, and a great favorite with his family and friends. After the war he was transferred to the Indian frontier, and was in command at Fort Richardson, Texas, at the time of his death, which was caused by the accidental discharge of a shotgun in an ambulance while returning from a hunting expedition. His remains were brought to Wheeling and interred in Greenwood cemetery with military and Masonic honors. He never married, and was in his thirty-ninth year when he died, March, 1878. Andrew Wilson came to Wheeling in 1847, and engaged in the lumber business, and continued in that occupation until within a few years of his death. He was much interested in the public schools, and was a member of the board_ of education from its organization until his death, and for several years previous to his death he was president of that body. He was prominent in city affairs, and guarded faithfully every public trust. The following extract on his death is from OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 481 the Wheeling Intelligences: "He was a man of vigorous intellect, strong convictions, and great moral courage, which made him a public leader time and again. He was one of the delegates to the convention of Union men of West Virginia, which met in Wheeling, June II, 1861, which took the first step in the foundation of the state of West Virginia. Before that time he had held several positions of trust and honor. He was repeatedly elected to both houses of the legislature, and was prominent in many of the most important measures which have agitated the state. His memory was remarkable, and when he made an assertion, was always prepared to substantiate it. He was a life-long democrat, having cast his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson in 1832, and his last for Gen. Hancock, in 1880. He was for many years president of the Citizen's Railway company, was also president of the Fire and Marine Insurance company, and a director of the Belmont Nail mill, and of the People's bank. Andrew Wilson was married the second time, October, 1854, to Elizabeth C. Updegraff, daughter of Israel Updegraff, Sr. They had six children, four of whom survived him. He was noted for his generous hospitality and indulgence to his family. His friends were always welcomed to his house. He died April. 2, 1883, and is buried in Greenwood cemetery. Andrew U. Wilson, the secretary and treasurer of the Wheeling Steel works, was born in Wheeling, June 20, 1857. His preliminary education was obtained in his native city. For some time he was a student at Morgantown university, but did not graduate owing to circumstances beyond his control. His first business venture was made in 1873, when he entered the lumber business. Continuing in this for three years he then became connected with the People's bank as a clerk. His first knowledge of the iron business was obtained while in the employ of the Belmont Nail company. In May, 1886, he accepted the position of general secretary and treasurer of the Wheeling Steel works, in which capacity he is still engaged, having risen to this responsible position by strenuous effort and the strictest integrity in all his dealings with men. His marriage to Miss Virginia C. Pendleton, daughter of the late Joseph Pendleton, was solemnized in the year 1888. One child is the result of this marriage: J. Pendleton Wilson, born June 2, 1890. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Episcopal church, and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he is prominent. He is a staunch democrat, and for some time served as a member of the board of education, but resigned while serving his second term. Mr. Wilson is regarded as one of the most successful iron men in the upper Ohio valley, and doubtless has a bright business career open before him. William P. Wilson, born in Delaware, 1800, died at Wheeling, 1873, was during the period of his active career prominent as a citizen, and efficient as a civic officer, of Wheeling, to which city he came in 1822. After being there a short time he learned the trade of carpenter with George Vennum, and subsequently was engaged in contracting and building in his own name until 1852, when he entered the firm of 31—A. 482 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. McLure, Dunlevy & Co., boat builders. He served for a considerable period on the city council, and also one of the board of supervisors or commissioners of the county. He was a member of Ohio lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M., of Wheeling commandery, and was treasurer of the Grand lodge of West Virginia from its organization until his death. He was a director of the old National Insurance company and of the Savings' Insurance institution. His wife, Sarah, to whom he was married November 1o, 1832, was born at Wheeling, in 1803, the daughter of George Pannell, an early citizen. These parents had seven children, two of whom are living, Mrs. G. W. Martin, of Brookfield, Mo., and William A. Wilson. The latter, who was born in this city July 3, 1842, began when fourteen years of age to learn the trade of ship chandler, which he subsequently worked at until 1864. In that year he took a position as clerk on a boat running on the Ohio and Cumberland rivers between Pittsburgh and Nashville. He then severed his connection with the river business in 1865 and became bookkeeper for Hanes & Blair, of the Union planing-mills, from which position he rose in July of the following year to that of a partner, purchasing the interest of Mr. Blair. The new firm, known as Hanes & Wilson, continued until 1875. Then J. E. Hanes, son of the senior partner was added, the firm becoming Hanes, Wilson & Co., and adding paint and oil to their trade. In 1881 Mr. Hanes withdrew from the paint business, which went into the hands of Mr. Wilson, and the mill into the hands of C. Hanes & lthough Mr. Wilson retained his interest in the latter. In 1883 Co., Mr. W. H. Chapman became a partner in the paint store, and the firm of Wilson & Chapman, then formed, is still a leader in the paint and oil trade. The old firm of Wilson and Dunlevy, in 1867, added to its boat yard business the manufacture of nail kegs. In 1873, the elder Wilson died, and six months later W. H. Dunlevy also, and the business thus fell to W. A. Wilson and H. H. Dunlevy, who wound up the old branch of the business and continued the manufacture of kegs until 1887, when Mr. Wilson bought out the Hanes planing-mill business and consolidated the two, which are now conducted by the firm of Wilson & Dunlevy. Mr. Wilson is also a stockholder in the Benwood Iron mill, the Wheeling Iron and Nail company, the Fire and Marine Insurance company and the Commercial bank. As evidence of his public activity it may also be stated that he is and has been for a number of years a member of the city council for the First ward, has served ten years on the board of education for the Washington district, is president of the Young Men's democratic club, was first president of the Y. M. C. A., and is president of the Builders' Exchange of West Virginia. He is a member of the North Street Methodist Episcopal church; his Masonic membership is with Nelson lodge, No. 30, of which he was a charter member, Cyrene commandery, K. T., and Osiris temple, Mystic Shrine. Mr. Wilson was married June 11, 1867, to Texana, daughter of Jacab Arndt, of Wheeling, and they have three children. A. G. Wincher, a leading retailer of boots and shoes at Wheeling, has been for fifty years a resident of this city, and is prominent in its 483 - OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. business circles. He was born at Eckhartsberga, Prussia, June 29, 1830, one of seven children of Christian and Dorothea (Kobe) Wincher. The father and mother and their four children then born, immigrated to the United States in 1839, in the spring, and after a voyage of forty-five days landed at Baltimore. Thence they came to Wheeling in wagons over the national road, a fourteen days' trip, and here Christian Wincher, who was a cooper by trade, endeavored to find work, but was compelled for some time to take odd jobs. Finally engaging in his trade, he for years made cooperage quite extensively, and sold it all over the adjacent country, on several occasions also, makings trips with his goods as far as St. Louis. He and wife were members of the German Methodist church, and were highly esteemed. He died in 1874, at the age of seventy-two years, and his wife in 1886, at the age of seventy-eight. From his ninth year A. G. Wincher was reared at Wheeling. His educational advantages were very limited, as his parents were too poor then to send him to school and pay the expenses, and the school law of Virginia at that time denied the privileges of free schools to children of those who possessed a trade. Learning the cooper's trade with his father, he worked with him until 1852, when he entered the wholesale grocery story of Pollock & Donlon. He remained with one wholesale grocery house or another until 1860, when he found employment with the shoe house of McClellan & Knox, and remained with that firm and its successors until 1885. In the latter year he opened his well-known retail establishment at No. 1123 Main street, one of the leading stores of the city. In 1885 Mr. Wincher made a visit to his native land, and re-visiting his native town after an absence of forty-six years, was able without assistance to find the house in which he was born, and recognize many once familiar faces and places. He spent three months in Germany and Switzerland. Mr. Wincher was married in 1852, to Fredericka Beisser, of Monroe county, Ohio, a native of Germany, and they have had ten children, five of whom survive. He and wife are members of the German Methodist church. He is one of the self-made men of the city, and his rise to prominence in business, unaided by aught save his industry and integrity, have won for him the esteem of all. Frank A. Woeber, Jr., city receiver of Wheeling, is a son of Frank A. Woeber, one of the veteran business men of that city. The latter, a native of Bavaria, came to the United States about 1849, and proceeded directly to Wheeling, where in a few years he embarked in the grocery business, in which he has been prominently engaged for thirty-four years, now doing business at No. 2311 Market street. He is now in his sixty-fourth year. He was married after coming to this city to Rose Snyder, who was born in Hesse, Germany, but came to this country with her parents when three months old. She is now fifty-three years of age. She and her husband are members of the St. Alphonsus Catholic church. Of the nine children born to them four sons and three daughters survive. Their son, with mention of whom this article begins, was born in Wheeling, May 15, 1858. He attended the St. Alphonsus school until he was thirteen years of age, 484 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. and subsequently until he was eighteen years of age he assisted his father in his store. He then entered Frasher's Business college, and completed his education. Taking then a position as city salesman with the wholesale grocery house of Joseph Speidel & Co., he remained in that capacity six years, and at the end of that period accepted a similar position with Simon Barer's Sons, in the same business and continued with them three years. With Kraft Bros., and Rosenberg he then occupied a like position until February, 1889. Previous to this date he had been ,a candidate before the city council for the receivership, as the caucus nominee of the democratic party, but had failed of election. In February, 1889, however, the council being democratic, he was elected 'for a term of two years from February 13, 1889. He was married May 16, 1888, to Caroline Vierballer, of Wheeling, by whom he has one son. He and wife are members of the St. Alphonsus church, and he is a member of the Knights of St. George, and vice-president of the Arion singing society. John William Wolvington, a prominent flour and -grain merchant, of Wheeling, was born in Jefferson county, W. Va., the son of David R. and Mary T. Burkett Wolvington. The father was born in Shenandoah county, Va., in 1798, and the mother in Jefferson county, W. Va., about 1800. They were married in 1818, and had seven children: Eliza Margaret, John William, James Washington, Ann Elizabeth, Sarah Jane, David Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. James W. is a real estate agent at Baltimore, where he was formerly, for many years in the wholesale tobacco trade with his brother-in-law, Gerard S. Watts. The latter married Ann Elizabeth Wolvington, and he is now extensively interested in mining and manufacturing. Sarah Jane is the wife of James Morrison, a carpenter of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. David H., a painter, was twice married, and died about 1873. Thomas Jefferson, a machinist, was married at Lafayette, Ind., and died February 28, 1885. John William Wolvington, the subject of this mention, when a child, accompanied his parents to Morgan county, W. Va., and thence after the death of his father, he removed with the remainder of the family, to Cumberland, Md., where he learned the occupation of a locomotive engineer, which he followed until 1864. December 29, 1851, he was married to Mary L., daughter of Alpheus B. Beall, of Allegheny county, Md., and in 1853, he removed to Wheeling. His wife died January 7, 1860, leaving four children: Alvin Alpheus, deceased; Virginia Ann, Minerva Beall and John William. On May 12, 1861, Mr. Wolvington wedded Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Loudenslager, of Marshall county, W. Va., by whom he had five children: Alpharetta, Loudenslager, Mary Cecilia (deceased), Thomas Jefferson and Ger- ard Watts (deceased). With his wife's father, Joseph Loudenslager, Mr. Wolvington was engaged in milling at Loudensville, Marshall county, from 1864, until 1870, when they removed to Baltimore, near where Mr. Wolvington farmed for a year. They returned to Wheeling in 1871, and the next year, Mr. Wolvington embarked in the wholesale tobacco trade, which occupied him until the spring of 1883, when he established his present business at No. 37 Thirty-third street. Mr. OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 485 Wolvington is prominent in business and influential in municipal affairs. .He served as a member of the first branch of the city council from 1879 to 1883. Joseph J. Woods, attorney, of Wheeling, W. Va., well-known throughout the state as speaker of the house of delegates during two sessions of the legislature, is of a family prominent in the history of Ohio county from a very early day. His great-grandfather, Andrew Woods, was sheriff of Botetourt county, Va., under a commission bearing date, October 18, 1777, signed by -Patrick Henry, an interesting document now in the possession of Mr. J. J. Woods: His grandfather, Col. Archibald Woods, a native of Botetourt county, Va., entered the Continental army when a mere boy, near the close of the Revolutionary war, and served until peace was gained, being wounded at the decisive engagement at Yorktown. About the year 1790, he, with two brothers, came to the Ohio valley, then the western frontier, and the colonel settled on land two miles east of the site of the present city of Wheeling, the brothers also settling within the present bounds of Ohio county. Col. Woods was a man of much force and integrity and was a member of the Richmond convention, which ratified the constitution of the United States, and for many years was president of the old county court of Ohio county. His death occurred in 1847, when he was aged eighty-five years. His wife, whose maiden name was Ann Pogue, lived until 1856. Of the large number of children born to them, not more than-four or five reached maturity. One of the younger of these, John Woods, was born in 1807. He was raised as a farmer and followed that occupation during life. He was married to Ruth H., daughter of Dr. Joseph Jacob, an early physician 61 the county. She is still living, and has her home on the farm that Col. Woods purchased a century ago. In the spring of 1888 her husband died. Six children were born to them, of whom four survive: Archie, Joseph J., George W. and Hamilton, all residents of Ohio c0unty. Joseph J. Woods was born December 15, 1851. He received an academic education while a boy, and then entered Princeton college, where he was graduated in 1872. Choosing the profession of law as his vocation, he entered the office of Judge James Paull, of Wheeling, and after the election of the latter to the court of appeals, he went into the office of J. H. Good, with whom he read law until 1874, when he was admitted to the bar. He then began the practice of law with Mr. Good, and after that gentleman's death, continued in the practice alone, and has achieved success and an honorable position in the bar of the county. Mr. Woods is distinguished for his long and valuable service in the legislature of the state, to which he was first elected in 1878, as a member of the senate, for a term of four years. Upon the expiration of this term he declined a renomination, and became the candidate of his party for the house of delegates, as a representative of Ohio county, and was elected for a term of two years. Upon the organization of the chamber in 1883, he was elected speaker, an office that he filled with notable tact and ability. In 1886 he was again nominated and elected to the house of delegates, and 486 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. was again elected in 1888, and for a second time in 1889, presided as speaker of the house. He has represented faithfully and efficiently the interests of his county and his admirable discharge of the duties of presiding officer, have earned for him many friends throughout the state. Alfred D. Work, of Wheeling, prominent among the retail grocers of that city, was born in Perry county, Penn., October 27, 1842. He is a son of Washington and Sarah Work, both natives of Pennsylvania, the latter of whom died when Alfred was about twelve years old. The father died in 1863 from disease contracted in the service of the Union army. Mr. Work was reared on the farm home of his parents until 1860, when at the age of eighteen years he went to Pittsburgh and worked for six months in a rolling mill. He then came to Wheeling, which has been his home since March 20, 1861. He found employment in the LaBelle Iron works for a time, but on May II, 1861, enlisted in Company B, First Virginia infantry, U. S. A., with which he served three months. At the battle of Phillippi he was wounded by a ball just above the right knee, and this confined him in the hospital one month. This wound was the first received by a private soldier in battle in the war of the rebellion. After his recovery Mr. Work returned to Wheeling, and soon re-entered the LaBelle Iron works, and there and in the Belmont works was engaged until March 13, 1865, when he re-enlisted in the Union army as a private in Company C, First West Virginia cavalry, with which he served until the close of the war. Subsequently he was engaged as a huckster a few months, aid he then again became associated with the LaBelle mills, where he has ever since been employed. By continuous industry he amassed considerable means, and in 1889 he erected a handsome brick business block at No. 3114 Eoff street, in which he now conducts a completely equipped grocery store, owned by Mr. Work and his son, H. H. Mr. Work is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and of the G. A. R. and the A. O. U. W., and politically is a republican. He has sat upon the city council one term and has served as a member of the board of education six years. October 27, 1861, he was married to Mrs. Margaret Culp, by whom he had six children: Ida M., Francis M., Harry H. Edward W., George E., and Minnie E., the latter deceased. Mrs. Work, whose maiden name was Malia, by her first husband, Joseph Culp, who died in 1859, had two children, Mary A. and Anna L. John Wright, for many years prominently identified with the iron and nail manufacture of the city of Wheeling, was born in Pittsburgh, 'Penn., September 19, 1824. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Ward) Wright, natives of England, who came to America in the early part of the present century, and were subsequently married at Pittsburgh. The father was a skilled mechanic, and assisted in building Sonneberger's Iron works at Pittsburgh, in 1824, and was engineer of those works during a period of forty-five or fifty years. Subsequently removing to a farm a few miles from Pittsburgh, he died there a few years later, and that is now the home of his widow, OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 487 who is in her ninety-second year. The subject of this mention, when a small boy, was employed as an assistant engineer of the Juniata works, and remained there until the fall of 1849, when he came to Wheeling, and took charge of the engine of the Belmont Nail works. This position he held until 1852, when he became one of the organizers of the company which established the La Belle Iron works. When the institution was started he took the position of engineer, and so continued until 1876, when he retired from active life. Mr. Wright has been a director of the La Belle Iron works since it was changed to a stock company, and for several years he served as a director of the Jefferson Iron works, of Steubenville, Ohio, owned by the La Belle company. He is also a stockholder of the Street Railway company and the Wheeling & Belmont Bridge company. Since his retirement from business Mr. Wright has enjoyed the fruits of his active career at his home, a large and handsome residence, formerly the home of George Caldwell, deceased, and situated on the old Caldwell estate on Caldwell run. He was married in April, 1852, to Eleanor Madden, of Wheeling, and seven children have been born to their union, six of whom are now living. Mrs. Wright is a member of the United Presbyterian church. In political affairs Mr. Wright has never taken a prominent part, but has been since its organization a staunch member of the republican party, and during the war period he was an active supporter of the Union. Among the younger of the enterprising grocers of the city should be named Adam J. Yahn, who was born in that city June 15, 1860, the fifth of eleven children of Conrad and Catherine (Blum) Yahn. His parents, natives of Germany, came to America in the spring of 1847, and were married at Wheeling in 1851. The father is now sixty-five and the mother fifty-five years of age. Their children, all of whom are living, are as follows: Agnes, Mary, Theresa, Joseph A., Adam J., Elizabeth, William C. and John A. (twins), George E. and Emma (twins), and Edmund. The father ,conducted a grocery store at Wheeling, and in this, at the age of thirteen years, Adam J. Yahn began his apprenticeship in trade, and at about the same time he began the learning of cigar making, in a factory conducted by his father. He remained in the grocery business with his father until 1884, when he succeeded his father as proprietor, and has since, at No 158 Seventeenth street, conducted one of the prosperous grocery establishments of the city. Mr. Yahn was married September 29, 1885, to Dorothea, daughter of ,George and Katherine (Kapitz) Werner, natives of Germany, who at the time of her birth resided at Grafton, W. Va., but now have their home at Wheeling. Mr. and Mrs. Yahn are members of the Catholic church. He is also associated with the Knights of St. George, Arion Singing society and the Grocers' Protective association. Energetic in the conduct of his business, and courteous in his relations to the public, Mr. Yahn is meeting with well-deserved success in his line of trade. Well-known among those engaged in that popular Wheeling industry, the manufacture of cigars, is Joseph Yahn, a native of Ohio 488 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. county, born March 10, 1858. He is a son of Conrad Yahn, who was born in Germany, and emigrated thence in about the year 1849, and soon afterward settled at Wheeling, where he has since resided. His wife also survives and they have a family of eleven children, all of whom are living. .Parents and children are members of St. Alphonsus Catholic church. Joseph Yahn was reared in Wheeling and received Ills education in the Catholic schools. When about thirteen years of age he began to learn the trade of cigar making, at which he has ever since been engaged. He embarked in the manufacture independently in 1879, and in April, 1888, removed to his present advantageous place of business, at the corner of Eighteenth and Jacob streets, where he manufactures a general line of cigars, making a specialty of the stogies. He is one of the popular citizens of the Fourth ward, and was chosen some four years ago to fill au unexpired term in the city council. In January, 1889, he was elected as the representative in the council of the Fourth ward. Mr. Yahn was married in 1880 to Louisa Heimiller, of Wheeling, and they have four children. He and wife are members of the St. Alphonsus Catholic church. Alexander T. Young, a leading druggist of Wheeling, was born at that city; July 3, 1853. He is the son of John Young, who emigrated to America from England, his native land, at an early day, with his father, William Young, one of the pioneer glass blowers of Wheeling. In the family of William Young were three children: William, John and Caroline, the latter of whom became the wife of John Laughey. John Young was reared and educated at Wheeling, and learned the trade of pattern-maker. He is now the manager of the Centre foundry, of Wheeling, an extensive institution. He was married to Hannah Gillogly, a native of Greene county, Penn., daughter: of Thomas and Nancy (Callahan) Gillogly, of Scotch-Irish descent. Their only son, Alexander T. Young, received his early education at Wheeling, and then entered the University of Michigan, where he was graduated in pharmacy, in 1875. He then embarked in business for himself, opening a drug-store at his present location, and though starting with little, he has built up a lucrative business, which has steadily increased from year to year. Thoroughly imbued with that spirit of enterprise which is so rapidly advancing the city, he has contributed to many manufacturing undertakings, and is a stockholder in the leading iron mills and glass works of Wheeling and the Ohio valley,, is one of the directors of the Centre foundry, is a director of the Warwick China company, and is also largely interested in real estate. Taking an active interest in municipal affairs, he has been twice elected to the city council by the democratic party. He is a member of the Masonic order and a Knight Templar. Mr. Young was married in 1880, to Mary E., daughter, of William and Elizabeth (Tantum) Odbert, of Wheeling, by whom he has three children: Delphia, Harold and Nellie. One of the early German residents and pioneer brewers of Wheeling, was Fred E. Zeigler, who was born in the fatherland about the year 1821. In that country he became a millwright by occupation, OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 489 and on coming to this country and settling at Wheeling in 1854, he continued to work at his trade for some time. He subsequently was engaged, in succession, in flour-milling at Portland, Ohio, then in the hotel business on Main street, at Wheeling, and in the bottling business. He then founded what was the beginning of the Schmulbach brewery at the head of Thirty-third street, and was engaged in brewing until he sold out to the Nail City Brewing company, and retired from active life. He died in 1886. He came to Wheeling possessed of but little means, but his career was characterized by such persistent and effective industry that he became one of the substantial citizens of the city, respected by the entire community. He was a member of the German Lutheran church. His wife, Hannah Schwertfeger, who survives, gave to him the following children, Lizzie, Annie, Emma, Mary and Frederick E. The latter is now a well-known business man of Wheeling, a member of the firm of Kyle & Zeigler, plumbers. He was born September 20, 1864, at Wheeling, and was there reared and educated, completing his studies at the Commercial college. In April, 1888, he engaged in plumbing and gas-fitting business with Robert Kyle, having previously learned the trade, and the firm of Kyle. & Zeigler are now doing a profitable and extensive business. Mr. Zeigler is a member of the Lutheran church. Rev. Paul Ziegelmeyer, pastor of Zion's German Evangelical Lutheran church, of Wheeling, is a native of Europe, but has been a resident of America since June, 1885. He was born at Strasburg, Alsace, September 23, 1861, and remained at his native city, pursuing his studies until he had reached his nineteenth year, when he enlisted in the German army and served one year. He studied at the universities at Strasbourg and Leipzig, then entered the German Lutheran seminary at Kropp, where he remained three years. At the end of that period he came to the United States, and at Leechburgh, Penn., in the latter part of August, 1885, he was ordained by Prof. Herman Gilbert, of the Pittsburgh, synod at the meeting of that body. In the meantime he had, immediately after his arrival in this country, become pastor of the congregation he is now serving, and he was duly called in the following September. He has since remained with this church, and his earnest and devoted efforts have contributed to its prosperity. On March I, 1886, the Rev. Ziegelmeyer was married by Rev. William Berkemeier, to Alma Wettern, also a native of Germany, and they have one child, Elizabeth Mary Sophia, who was born December 9, 1886. During the summer of 1889, the pastor and his wife and daughter visited Europe, and passed several months with relatives and friends in Germany and France. The following sketches came too late to appear in their proper alphabetical order: Of the many old and prominent families of the upper Ohio valley probably not one is more widely known and respected than the List family, members of which have been conspicuously identified with the commercial and banking interests of Wheeling for over half a 490 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. century. The first of the family to locate in Wheeling was John List, Sr. who was a native of England, where he was born in the year 1757. He came to the United States about 1806, bringing his family with him, and after a brief residence in New York came direct to Wheeling, where he died in 1828. John List, Jr., his son, was born near the city of London, England, about the year 1790, and was between sixteen and seventeen years of age when he accompanied his father to Wheeling. In the year 1809 he entered the store of Joseph Caldwell, one of the pioneer merchants of Wheeling, with whom he remained as a clerk until January 1, 1814. At this time he was taken into partnership with Mr. Caldwell for a period of three years, and at the expiration of that time the partnership was renewed on January 1, 1817. When the Pioneer bank of Wheeling was organized in 1819 Mr. List retired from the mercantile business to accept the position of book-keeper for the bank. Subsequently, when this institution was succeeded by the Northwestern Bank of Virginia, he became the teller of the same. Upon the death of Thomas Woods, brother of Archibald Woods, the president of the bank, in 1832, Mr. List became the cashier of the bank, and held that position until his death in May, 1848. Mr. List was cashier of this bank at the time it was robbed of $70,000 in 1832, the particulars of which robbery, and the subsequent recovery of a considerable portion of the money by Mr. List, is still fresh in the minds of the older citizens of to-day. Mr. List was twice married, the first time to Miss Hannah Carter, to which union three sons and one daughter were born. His second marriage was to the widow of William Pallister, an Englishman. Though of a retiring disposition, caring nothing for official position or political preferment, Mr. List was in every sense a public spirited man, and took a deep interest in the public affairs of both his city and state, and could have entered public life at his pleasure. But it was as a financier and- a man of sound judgment and conservative ideas that he was recognized and appreciated, and his influence both in banking and commercial circles was great. He is remembered to-day not as a public man and politician, but rather as one of the safest financiers that Wheeling has ever produced. Mr. List was very active in religious matters, and was a pillar, sound and true, of the Methodist Episcopal church, rendering much aid in progressive church work. Both as a Christian gentleman and a good citizen Mr. List left a name which survives him, serving as a monument to his exemplary life, and as a model for the men of future generations to pattern after. The children born to the first marriage of John List were as follows: John, who was accidentally killed in Wheeling by a provost guard, on July 6, 1865; Mary, now the widow of Robert Morrison, formerly of Wheeling, now of ' Delaware, Ohio; Daniel C., president of the Bank of Wheeling; and Henry K., president of the City Bank of Wheeling. James Maxwell, a well-known citizen of Wheeling, who during a long and successful career was closely identified with the commercial and banking interests and public affairs of the city, and contributed OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 491 much to its growth, development and general-prosperity, was a native of the county and a son of one of its early settlers. He was born on the farm of his father, John Maxwell, at Roney,s Point, February 25, 1821, and his boyhood was passed at his birthplace. Early in youth, however, he came to Wheeling, and became engaged in the boot and shoe business, with the late Ephraim Pollock. Subsequently he was for many years a wholesale dealer in groceries, at the head of the old and well-known houses of Maxwell, Paxton & Donlon, Maxwell, Campbell & Tingle, and Maxwell, Tingle & Isham. In 1881 he retired from mercantile pursuits. Aside from the business associations named, Mr. Maxwell was identified with banking as president of the National bank of West Virginia, and with another very important enterprise as vice president of the Wheeling and Belmont Bridge company. With characteristic public spirit, he sought to advance the interests of the municipality, and rendered valuable service as a member of the common council, the board of education, and the board of county commissioners. In more private channels, also, the influence of Mr. Maxwell was felt for good. With true Christian charity, he never failed to respond to the promptings of a generous heart, where there was poverty to be relieved or distress to be alleviated. He was unostentatious and retiring by nature, and his life was an exemplary one, though without austerity, as his friends found him open and frank, and those in need found him warm hearted and generous. The death of Mr. Maxwell occurred suddenly from failure of the heart on the evening of May 21, 1881. His wife and two daughters survive him. His only son, a bright and promising youth, was drowned September 10, 1881, at Lexington, Va., where he had gone four days before to become a cadet in the Virginia Military institute. LIBERTY DISTRICT. Prof. Robert A. Armstrong, the able principal of the West Liberty Normal school, was born at Frenchton, Upshur Co., Va., September 23, 1860, the son of Jared M. and Eliza (Bennett) Armstrong, who were natives of Virginia. His father was the eldest son. of John Armstrong and was born June 10, 1814. John Armstrong was born in Highland county, Va., the son of William Armstrong, who emigrated from Scotland at an early date. Eliza, the mother of Prof. Armstrong, was a daughter of David and Jane G. (Stuart) Bennett, the former of whom was a son of William Bennett, and he a son of Joseph Bennett. This family was prominently identified with the politics of Virginia, a great uncle of Prof. Armstrong, being at one time auditor of the state of Virginia, and his brother a member of the assembly. Prof. Armstrong was educated in the common schools of Frenchton, and subsequently attended the French Creek academy. When he was eighteen years of age he began to teach, and continued until 1882, when he was appointed a cadet in the state university of West Virginia at Morgantown. He was graduated at this institution June, 1886, and in the meantime had served a short time as county superin- 492 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. tendent of the schools of Upshur county, and for two years had charge of the French Creek academy. In July, 1886, he was elected principal of the West Liberty State Normal school, a prominent position which he has since held, evidently filling the place with ability and credit, as the attendance has doubled during his principalship. Prof. Armstrong has taken a considerable interest in military affairs, having been graduated as captain of the cadets of the university, and during his residence at West Liberty, he has served as captain of the Light Guards. In August, 1889, he was elected major of .the Eighteenth regiment West Virginia National Guard. Samuel Bell, a leading merchant for many years at West Liberty, Ohio county, is a son of Andrew Bell, a native of this state, and a prominent farmer of Ohio county in an early day. He was born in 1783, and died October 13, 1849. His wife, Barbara Wade, the mother of the subject of this mention, died when the latter was a small boy. Samuel Bell was born in Ohio county, October 3, 1828, he was educated in the private schools of his native county, and then engaged in farming, at which he was occupied until 1853, when he embarked in general merchandise at Roney's Point. He did business there two years and then came to West Liberty, of which he has been one of the prominent tradesmen ever since. His long and honorable career has made him one of the conspicuous and highly esteemed men of the town. He has served his fellow-citizens as overseer of the poor one term and as school commissioner. On November 4, 1857, Mr. Bell was married to Mary Bosman, of Brooke county, who was born March 17, 1833. They have tw0 children: Mrs. Emma F. Glass, born December 27, 1858, and Arthur S., born March 20, 1865. M. L. Connelly, a prosperous farmer of Liberty district, Ohio Co., was born in this county, September 29, 1842, the son of Elisha and and Lorena (Edmunds) Connoly. His father was born in Maryland, November 6, 1812, and was married to. Miss Edmunds December 22, 1834. By this union they had four sons and two daughters, one son of whom died in Montana. The father is a prominent farmer of Richland district. M. L. Connolly received his education in the school of this county, and also attended two terms at the West Liberty academy, after which he engaged in farming, which has been his vocation since. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, at Roney's Point. He is influential in public affairs, and has been on the board of education of his district for two terms, and was candidate for the house of representatives on the first prohibition ticket in the county, in 1886. On March 29, 1870, he was married to Mary E. Giffen, who was born in Ohio county, April 1, 1843, a daughter of Robert and Mary J. (Arthur) Giffen. To this union have been born four children: Lena, born January 20, 1871; Frank, born April 20, 1874; Laura, born March 24, 1876; Luther, born February 23, 1879. Mrs. Connelly died October 27, 1885. Among the earliest settlers of the upper Ohio valley,, was Michael Cox, who was born in 1752, and was prominent in this region in the days of border warfare. He died January 14, 1832. Jeruthea, his OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 493 wife, survived him until October 28, 1863, dying in the nineteenth year of her age. Their son, Abraham C0x, prominent in the next generation of the settlement, was born September 20, 1809. In 1843, April 13, he was married to Eliza A. Foster, by whom he had the following children: Annie, born February 13, 1844, died April 24, 1878. Archibald, born July 2, 1845, died January 11, 1851; Wylie, born March 20, 1847; Mary, born August 19, 1848, died January 10, 1851; Elinor, born February 11, 1852; Abraham, born May 19, 1854; Jane E., born July 11, 1855; Linda, born January 6, 1857; Zach Cox, born June 4, 1858; Susan, born October 31, 1859. The father died August 14, 1889. Zach Cox, the youngest son, is now one of the enterprising young men of Liberty district. He was married May I I, 1882, to Mary J. Smith, who was born March 21, 1861, to Theodore and Sarah (Whitnah) Smith, the former of whom was-born in Maryland, and the latter in Berkeley county, Va. Mrs. Cox's father died in the Union army in 1865, and her mother died April 20, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have two children: Lester W., born March 21, 1883, and Harry V., born July 9, 1885. Mrs. Cox is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of West Liberty. Will F. Crow, teacher of the public school of West Liberty, was born in Marshall county, W. Va., November 23, 1865, the son of Martin and Eveline (Davis) Crow, both natives of Marshall county. Martin is the son of Jacob Crow, a well-known early settler of Marshall county, who was born in that county February II, 1797, and died in 1884. He was married October 16, 1824, to Damaris Terrill, who was born at Fairfield, Conn., August 23, 1800, and died October 25, 1886. Her parents removed to West Virginia in 1804. He had nine sons and three daughters. Martin Crow, who was born September 3, 1831, was a farmer in early manhood, and until 1850, when he learned the blacksmith's trade, He then purchased a farm near Glen Easton, where he followed his trade. He was married November 27, 1856, to Eveline Davis, who was born December 8, 1831. She lost, her mother before she was a year old, and was then taken to Ohio, where she lived until near the time of her marriage. By this union she had one son, Will F., born November 23, 1865, and two daughters, Josephine, born March 9, 1859, and Nora, born December 29, 1862. Will F. was educated in the common schools of Marshall county, spending one term at Moundsville, and completed his studies at the state normal school at West Liberty. He was then, in the fall of 1889, tendered a position in the West Liberty school, which he is filling with credit. His family is among the oldest and worthiest in the upper Ohio valley. James Curtis, one of the earliest settlers of the valley of the upper Ohio river, first came to the territory now known as Ohio county in about 1780, and located a settler's claim for the Morgans, other early settlers, and one for himself, but in a short time, being a minor, he was driven from his claim. He then returned to his old home in the east, and there remained until 1786, when he came back to West Virginia with Edward Morgan. He brought his family with him, and in 494 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. 1787, made his home on the land which has since belonged to his descendants. James Curtis reared a family of ten children, nine of whom lived to be over eighty years of age. He himself lived. to the age of ninety-one years. Salathiel Curtis, one of the sons of the above, was born in 1782. He became one of the prominent lawyers of Ohio and adjoining counties. Forty years before his death he retired from the practice of law, and devoted much leisure to poetry, composing some very interesting poems, notable among which is one of considerable length, entitled, " The Colonists." The wife of this well-known gentleman was Mary Foreman, whose father, Reuben Foreman, owned originally all the site of West Liberty, west of Main street. Gen. W. B. Curtis was born at Sharpsburg, Md., on the Antietam battle ground, April 18, 1821. He was the oldest son of Josiah and Hester Curtis. His great-grandfather, upon his father's, side immigrated from Wales in the seventeenth century, and settled in Maryland. His grandfather, John Curtis, was a soldier in the revolution, and was wounded in battle, for which he was pensioned during his lifetime. His mother, Hester Curtis, was of German descent. In the year 1832 his family moved to West Liberty, W. Va., at which place his mother died. The year following, W. B. Curtis indentured to Jeremiah Clemens, in the city of Wheeling, for the term of four years to learn the cabinet-making trade, after which he returned to West Liberty and continued in that business. In 1840 he connected himself with the Methodist Episcopal church, and in February, 1844, was married to Hannah M. Montgomery. In the year 1848 he entered into the mercantile business, and was elected justice of the peace, and continued as such until 1862. In the year 1861, when public opinion was so much divided in West Virginia, in reference to the right of secession, he remained a firm supporter of the general government, and was a member of the convention that met in the city of Wheeling, in the month of May, 1861, to organize the state government. After the state of Virginia had passed the ordinance of secession he recruited a company of home guards, and had them uniformed, armed and equipped, and was commissioned as their captain, August 21, 1861, and tendered their services for home protection to F. H. Pier-point, who had been elected governor of the restored state of Virginia. In the year 1862, when Lincoln called for 300,000 more troops he enlisted a company, took them to Camp Willey, on Wheeling Island, elected as their captain, and they were mustered into the service as Company D, Twelfth West Virginia Volunteer infantry. He commanded his company until June 17, 1863, when he was promoted to major, and put in command of the regiment. As major he continued in command of the regiment, being the only field officer with it, and on the 26th day of January, 1864, he was promoted to colonel of his regiment. He continued in command of his regiment until October, 1864, when he was given command of a brigade consisting of the First, Fourth and Twelfth regiments West Virginia Volunteer infantry, doing duty in the valley of Virginia. In the month of De- OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 495 cember, 1864, while in command of the post at Stephen's depot, his brigade was re-organized by withdrawing the First and Fourth regiments, their time having expired and their places filled with the Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania and the Twenty-third Illinois regiments. On the 10th of December he was transferred to the army of the James, and his brigade was consolidated with the Twenty-fourth Army corps, as Second Brigade Independent division of that corps. His brigade participated in the assault upon the rebel works in front of Richmond, in the spring campaign of 1865, and on Sunday, April 2, had the honor of capturing Fort Gregg, near Petersburgh, for which the Twelfth regiment received a bronze eagle, presented to them with the following inscription: " Presented to the Twelfth Regiment, West. Virginia Volunteer infantry, by the their corps commander, Gen. John Gibbon, for gallant conduct in the assault upon Ft. Gregg, near Petersburgh, Va., April 2, 1865. " In this assault there were 715 men and officers killed and wounded. The Twelfth regiment had three color bearers killed in planting their flag upon the parapet. Three of its members, Lieut. J. M. Curtis, Andrew Apple, and Joseph McCauslin, had medals presented them by congress, and Gen. Curtis received his general's commission from the president for gallant conduct in this assault. Richmond was immediately evacuated when this fort surrendered. His brigade followed in the pursuit of Lee, and marched thirty-five miles on the 8th of April to get support of Sheridan, who was in front of Lee with cavalry, and were present and witnessed the surrender, and had the honor of receiving the army and colors the first day, after which he returned to Richmond with the command, and was discharged June 2o, 1865. He was afterward elected as a delegate for Ohio county to the legislature in 1866, and served one term; was superintendent of the West Virginia penitentiary in 187o and '71; was aide to the department commander of the G. A. R., of West Virginia, in 1887 and '88, and aide on the grand commander's staff of the G. A. R., in 1888 and '89, and is now retired. Samuel Finley, Jr., a well-known citizen of Ohio county, and one of the prominent farmers of Liberty district, was born in that district April 30, 1836, the son of Samuel Finley and his wife, Emily Stewart. His father, one of the leading early settlers, was born in May, 1807, on the farm which is his present home. Samuel Finley, the subject of this mention, after receiving his education in the schools of his youth, took up the vocation of farming, to which his life has ever since been devoted. He has been prospered in his undertakings, is now well-to-do, and is highly respected by all. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church. On February T0, 1863, Mr. Finley was married to Rachel Marling, and to this union have been born one son and four daughters. John Gardner, a well-known blacksmith of West Liberty, was born July 10, 1839, in Washington county, Penn. He is the son of Samuel and Jane Gardner, who were born in what is now West Virginia, he in May, 1816, and she in March 27, 1817. Her family name was Noah. To this union were born four sons and six daughters, of whom eight 496 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. are now living. The mother of these children died in 1852, and subsequently the father was married to Margaret Sease, by whom he had five children, two sons and one daughter of whom survive. The father now resides at New Brighton, Penn., where he is engaged in working at his trade as a blacksmith. John Gardner was educated in the public schools of Brooke county, and also in an academy of Washington county, Penn., after which he went to work in a blacksmith shop with his father, and this trade he has followed ever since. On August 22, 1862, Mr. Gardner enlisted in Company C, Twenty-second Pennsylvania cavalry, and followed his trade in the army until he received an honorable discharge at the close of the war, June 1, 1865. He then came to West Liberty, which has since been his home. He is an influential citizen, was elected justice of the peace in 1876, and held the office to the general satisfaction four years, and is now the school commissioner of Liberty district. He is a member of the Masonic order and the G. A. R. By his marriage to Keziah Cunningham, of Allegheny county, Penn., he has had seven daughters and two sons, two of whom are deceased. Melvin T. Hartley, a prominent young farmer of Liberty district, Ohio county, was born in Marshall county, W. Va., April 5, 186o, the son of Thomas and Ellen (Howard) Hartley. The father, who has been a farmer for many years in Marshall, Ohio and Brooke counties, was born in Marshall county, July 7, 1839, and his wife was born in Ohio county, February 14, 1840. They were united in marriage in November, 1858, and nine children have been born to them, six of whom are sons. Melvin T. Hartley was educated at the West Liberty Normal school, and after leaving school he engaged in teaching, a vocation which he followed for two years. He then engaged in farming, which is his present calling. He is a worthy and popular young man and a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge of West Alexander, No. 966, under the jurisdiction of the grand lodge of Pennsylvania. On December 24, 1884, Mr, Hartley was married to Zella R. Faris, a native of this county, and a daughter of John and Rebecca Faris. Norman D. Jobes, M. D., a popular young physician of West Liberty, was born in Washington county, Penn., January 17, 1863. He is the son of Campbell Jobes, a devoted minister of the Christian church, who was born January 16, 1839, in Pennsylvania, and is now a resident of his native state. His wife, Phoebe Mitchell, the mother of Dr. Jobes, is a native of Indiana, and was born May 8, 1841. Dr. Jobes received his early education in the public schools of his native county, and subsequently attended the California State Normal school. He completed his literary education by a two years' course at Bethany college, and then deciding to devote himself to the profession of medicine, attended the Eclectic Medical college, of Cincinnati, where he was graduated in January, 1888. While attending the latter college, he practiced three years in the Cincinnati hospital, and after receiving his degree he removed to Claysville, where he practiced six months, thence coming to West Liberty, June 1, 1888. Here he has in a short time built up a remarkably extensive practice, and gained OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 497 the confidence of the community. He is a member of the Christian church, and is highly esteemed socially. The doctor was married February 16, 1888, to Anna, daughter of John and Nancy (Reed) McKibben, of Lima, Ohio. To this union one child has been born: Ida Grace, March 17, 1889. Jesse Lazaer, a well-known citizen of West Liberty, was born in Brooke county, July 17, 1845. He is the son of Jerome B. Lazaer, who was born April 12, 1813, and died in Brooke county, April 12, 1878. He was a school teacher in early manhood, but in later years devoted himself to farming. He was married to Susan J. Keach, by whom he had six sons and two daughters. Jesse Lazaer was educated in the common schools of Brooke county, and then found employment upon a farm. He was engaged exclusively in agriculture until recently, when he took the contract of carrying the mails from Wheeling to West Liberty. In connection with this business he runs a hack between these points. Mr. Lazaer was married November 8, 1866, to Rosanna Biggs, and to this union have been born two sons and one daughther. Mrs. Lazaer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of West Liberty. Robert L. Prall, a resident of West Liberty and a well-known business man of Wheeling, was born January 19, 1848, in Washington county, Penn. He is the son of Benjamin Prall, a native of Maryland, who was, married in 1833, to Catherine Nickerson, a daughter of one of the early inhabitants of what is known as the Dutch settlement of Pennsylvania. Benjamin Prall and wife had six sons and three daughters, of whom three sons survive, and the mother, who resides with her son, Robert L., at his home on Wheeling Island. The latter received his education in the schools of Washington county, and subsequently taught school for five years. He then accepted a situation as salesman for the merchant tailoring establishment of J. H. Stallman & Co., of Wheeling, with which he has been connected since 1871. Mr. Frail was married April 20, 1875, to Ella S. Paul, of Washington county, Penn., who died March, 1876, leaving one daughter. In February, 1881, he was married to Jennie E. Stallman, of York, Penn., by whom he had one daughter. His wife, Jennie, died in December, 1884, and on September 26, 1889, he was married to Julia A. Curtis, of West Liberty. She is a daughter of John Curtis, who was born in this district, May 27, 1787, a son of James Curtis, the famous pioneer, elsewhere mentioned. He was the youngest of ten children of James, and lived until February 9, 1882. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Martin, was born in Ohio county in April, 1800, and died October 14, 1876. Her parents were natives of Maryland. John Curtis and wife were married April 15, 1824, and to their union were born four sons and four daughters. John Curtis was an intelligent and worthy man, and he and wife were among the original members of the Christian church on Long run, founded in 1829. On account of his remarkable age he was in his latter years a conspicuous figure. Mrs. Prall was born May 13, 1848. She lived with her parents until their death, and she then cared for 32 — A. 498 - HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY. her two uncles, T. C. and W. D. Martin, in their declining years. She is a member of the Christian church of West Liberty. Mr. Prall is a member of the Presbyterian church of Wheeling. He is connected with the Merchant Salesmen's association of Philadelphia. V. H. Vanmeter, a venerable farmer and influential citizen of Liberty district, Ohio county, is a son of Joseph Vanmeter, who was a nephew of John and Joseph Vanmeter, who were prominent in the settlement of the upper Ohio valley. The latter named of these built. Fort Vanmeter on Short creek. In 1778 he was killed by Indians or drowned in the Ohio near the village of Tiltonsville, Jefferson Co., Ohio. Forty years afterward his gun barrel was found in the river when low by some boys at play, and was identified by some of the surviving comrades of the pioneer. The name of the latter was given to the father of our subject, who was born in the Shenandoah valley December 3, 1778. In August, 1800, the latter was married to Margaret Whitnah, and nine years later they removed with their family to Wheeling. In 1810 Joseph Vanmeter moved to the farm upon which the subject of this mention now resides, which he purchased in the following year. There he lived until his death, January 14, 1822. He had four sons and one daughter, the latter of whom and two of the sons survive. V. H. was born on the farm he now owns June 7, 1817. He received such education as was available in that day, and then engaged in farming, which has been his occupation through life. Though he has lived in an age of great changes and improvement he has kept abreast of the times, and is one of the county's most esteemed citizens. He was married March 6, 1845, to Margaret A. Whitnah. TRIADELPHIA DISTRICT. One of the leading farmers of Ohio county, John Baird, was born on the farm where he now resides, near Elm Grove, February 6, 1836. He is the son of Josiah Baird, who was born in 1807, and was married in 1835 to Rosanna Merchant, who Was born in 1812. Their union was blessed with five children, two of whom are deceased. Joseph Baird subsequently was married to Elizabeth Chambers, in 1851, and by this marriage had two sons, William C., born March 9, 1852, and Josiah W., born September 21, 1856, and a daughter, Rebecca E. Baird. The father passed away January 26, 1861, and the mother died in September, 1859. John Baird, the oldest son by the first marriage, was married October 26, 1865, to Mary L. Nicoll, of Wheeling, who died November, 1876. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, to the support of which he liberally contributes, and is esteemed by all as an enterprising and public spirited man. William J. Brown, one of the notable men of Elm Grove, Ohio county, has held the position of justice of the peace for Triadelphia district since his first election in 1876, and has made an honorable record. He was born at West Alexandria, Washington Co., Penn., January 31, 1844, the son of George and Sarah (Chisnell) Brown. OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA - 499 The father was born July 4, 1801, in Washington county, and was married April 5, 1838, to Miss Chisnell, who was born January 5, 1815, in Lancaster county, Penn. They had one son and one daughter. The father died April 17, 1859; the mother is still living. William J. was reared in his native place, and was attending school there when the war broke out. He at once enlisted in the Union army as a member of Company B, First West Virginia cavalry, August 23, 1861, and served as became a brave and patriotic man, for three years and three months. His regiment has a notable record among the bravest of the army. It served under the brave Kilpatrick and George A. Custer, and was engaged in seventy-three engagements. It lost two brigadier generals, Bayard and Farnsworth, the latter being killed while leading the right wing of the army in a charge against Hoods' division at Gettysburg. The regiment has to its credit at Washington, eight captured battle flags, three more than was taken by any other regiment of the army. At the close of the war Mr. Brown acquired the blacksmith's trade, and removed to Ohio county, in 1866. Two years later he was elected clerk of the board of education, as which he served two years, and then declined re-election. He is a member of the Mystic lodge, K. P., at Elm Grove, and of the grand lodge of the state. Mr. Brown was married September 28, 1869, to Sarah K. Burk-ham, who was born December 20, 1842, the daughter of Isaac and Nancy Burkham, of Ohio county. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have five children: Nannie J., born September 13, 1870; Georgia, December 4, 1872; W. B., February 29, 1876; Frank, January, 1881; Allen C., November 10, 1885. George Atkinson Cracraft, deceased, formerly a physician of Triadelphia, Ohio county, was born in Washington county, Penn., in 1815. He was educated at a medical college in Philadelphia, where he was graduated in 1848. He at once removed to Triadelphia, and began the practice of medicine, which he continued until 1852. He was at that date appointed postmaster at Wheeling by President Pierce, and he held that office during the Pierce administration. Subsequently he returned to Triadelphia, and practiced there until 1862. During the war period he served in the south as a surgeon of the Nineteeth regiment Virginia cavalry, and at the close of the struggle he returned to his home and practiced medicine until the time of his death, April 17, 1888. He was married in -Washington county, Penn., to Jane Knox, of that county, born in 1814 and died in 1876. Twelve children were born to them, seven sons and five daughters. Three of the sons and three daughters are living, viz.: George Cracraft, who is practicing law at Sterling, Ark.; Emma, living at Triadelphia; W. A., of Elm Grove; Mrs. Mattie Ferrell, of Elm Grove; Mrs. Alice Hornbrook, of Elm Grove; Dr. Frank Cracraft, of Triadelphia, died Oct. 20, 1889, and Homer, of Triadelphia. Dr. William A. Cracraft was born in Washington county, Penn., in 1844. Coming to Triadelphia when a child he was reared there and received his early education at West Alexander academy. In 1861 he went south and entered the confederate army, becoming a member of