History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 157

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 157

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P HILIP C. FISCHER, who has been a dealer in shoes, continuously, in Mar- ietta, for more than half a century, conducts an establishment at No. 246 Front street, and enjoys the patron- age of the leading citizens of this vicinity.

Mr. Fischer was born near Coblenz, Prus- sia, and is a son of John and Sophia Fischer. who came to Marietta about 1858. Both died in 1873, the father at the age of eighty-eight years, and the mother at the age of seventy- eight years. They were parents of the follow- ing children: Christ, a farmer, who died at Williamstown, West Virginia, in 1892; John ;

George, who was engaged in the shoe business, and died in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in 1887; Katherine: Peter C .: Henry, the oldest shoe dealer of Parkersburg: and Elizabeth, who died in 1893. The last-named was the wife of Jacob Volkwein, by whom she had nine children, as follows: Charles and Henry, who are in the shoestore of Mr. Fischer, in Marietta : George, a bookkeeper, of Columbus, Ohio: Lizzie ( Haberling ), of Columbus ; Em- ma ( Mendenhall), of Wheeling, West Vir- ginia ; Rosa ( Bolte), of West Marietta ; Ka- tie ; Anna ; and Tillie ( Donahue), who died in Pittsburg.

Philip C. Fischer was nineteen years of age when he came to Marietta, in 1850, and immed- iately thereafter started in the shoe business with his brother, John, who had located in Marietta in 1848. They established the busi- ness on Front street, and in the time that has since elapsed, have moved but once. During the Civil War, they were engaged in both wholesale and retail business, manufacturing boots and shoes. They dropped the manu- facture of shoes in 1870, but the brothers con- tinued together until 1879 .- in all 29 years. John Fischer is now eighty years of age, and resides in Williamstown, West Virginia, in vicinity he owns a farm. Since 1879. Philip C. Fischer has conducted the store alone, and has met with great success in every way

Mr. Fischer was first married to Elizabeth Feik, who was born in Germany, and was a baby when brought to Washington County. Three children were born to them, two of whom died in infancy. The third, Emma, married Dr. F. W. Fishbach, of Newport, Kentucky, by whom she has two sons,-How- ard, aged sixteen years : and Victor, aged seven years. The subject of this sketch formed a second matrimonial alliance, wedding Anna A. Wendelken, whose father, Martin, first came to Marietta in 1851. The latter died in April, 1902, at the age of seventy-nine years. This union was blessed by the birth of five chil- dren, namely: Nellie, wife of J. W. Dysle, a druggist of Marietta ; Dr. F. W., of Newport, Kentucky: Flora, wife of L. D. Strecker ;

J. S. H. TORNER.

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Harry, a member of the firm of Fischer & Graesle, photographers ; and Selma, who died, aged seven months. The subject of this sketch is a Republican in politics. Religionsly, he has been a member of the German M. E. Church for the past forty-five years. He is an efficient officer of the church, and has served as local minister for over twenty years.

S. H. TORNER, superintendent of the city water works, and an oil pro- ducer, of Marietta, Ohio, is one of the ablest business men of the city. He was born January 6, 1853, at Stock- holm, Sweden, and is a son of Victor Torner. Victor Torner was born at Stockholm, Sweden, and his wife, whose maiden name was Weiss, was born at Gothenburg, Sweden. She was of a prominent Swedish family, and her brother, D. W. Weiss, who came to America. when a young man, was one of the first presi- dents of the Lincoln Society, of New York. lle was identified with the Ulster Iron Com- pany, of New York, with offices at the corner of Broadway and Wall streets. Victor Torner was educated for the ministry, his father being a minister of the Lutheran Church, but instead of occupying the pulpit he became superin- tendent of the estate of the King of Sweden. Ile brought his family to New York in 1855. but soon removed to Lewis County, ( West) Virginia, where he purchased a large tract of land and farmed for two seasons. Not find- ing his farm as profitable as he anticipated, he moved to Parkersburg, ( West) Virginia, and one year later, in 1861, located in Belpre. Washington County, Ohio. He retained his West Virginia interests until 1884. when he disposed of them. At Belpre he engaged in the oil business, which he followed until near the time of his death, December 29, 1801. He was also engaged in the milling business at Newport, Ohio, for some years. Politically he was an active Republican, having filed his (leclaration to become a citizen of the United States as soon as he arrived in this country. Ilis wife died June 15, 1800. They reared three children, as follows ; Elvira ; J. S. Hugo,

the subject of this sketch; and William V. Elvira Torner, who was born in Jannary, 1850, married J. R. Dye, of Marietta, and died in July, 1890, leaving three children, viz. : Lulu E., who was born in Washington County in 1872, and is the wife of R. J. Mechling, an oil producer, of Newport, Ohio : Victor Hugo, who attended Marietta College, is a graduate of the Baltimore Medical College, and is now practic- ing his profession ; and Hilda E., aged 13 years, who is at school. William V. Torner was born in January, 1859. and is in the milling business at Newport, Ohio. His sketch and portrait appear elsewhere in this work.

J. S. H !. Torner attended the Washington County schools, Martha Institute and Has- brook's Classical and Commercial Institute, in Jersey City, from 1868 to the fall of 1871. He then returned home, and within a few days went into the oil business, operating in the Cow Run field. Ile has since been a constant operator and successful producer, and now has extensive oil interests. His father-in-law. Moffit Dye, together with John Newton, drilled the first well in the Cow Run field. Mr. Tor- ner spent about 10 years with the Standard Oil Company, and was also six years with the West Virginia Transportation Company, with headquarters at Marietta, which has been his home for some years past. He now has large interests both in Washington County and in West Virginia. He is vice-president of the Pioneer City Building & Loan Association, which was organized July 25. 1893. the in- corporators being as follows: Thomas Ewart ; A. L. Gracey : George Worrell ; Willis Morris : and John Kaiser. The first officers were J. S. Simpson, president ; Willis Morris, vice- president ; George Worrell, secretary; D. T. McEvoy, treasurer; and Thomas Ewart, at- torney. The present officers are-J. S. Simp- son, president; J. S. Il. Torner, vice-presi- dent : O. P. Hyde, secretary and treasurer ; and 1 J. C. Brenan, attorney. The Board of Direc- tors consists of the following gentlemen: A. L. Gracey: N. Moore: J. S. Simpson; J. S. H. Torner: W. Il. H. Jett: S. J. Hathaway ; J. W. Williams; HT. E. Smith; D. S. Boyle; I. O. Mcorn; W. S. Dve ; and S. 11. Plummer.

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

The authorized capital stock is $2,000,000 and more than $400,000 is loaned. The corpora- tion has been most successful, never having had a foreclosure, and its mission, to assist poor people in building homes and husbanding sav- ings -- has been fulfilled. Mr. Torner is vice- president of the German National Bank, sec- retary of the Marietta Electric Company, was formerly president of the Union Investment Company, and is interested in the Crystal Ice Company, the Ohio Valley Wagon Company ind other business enterprises. Ile has proba- bly had as full and varied an experience in the oil business as any man of his age in the oil region. Ile served as clerk of Lawrence town- ship two terms, and as treasurer three terms, without soliciting the offices, and was a mem- ber of the School Board for ten years. In July, 1890. he accepted his present position as super- intendent of the Marietta City Water Works, which was also unsolicited.

January 12, 1875, Mr. Torner was married in Washington County, to Lucy J. Dye, who was born and reared in Marietta, and is a daughter of Moffit Dye, formerly of the firm of Turner, Dye & Company. Mr. and Mrs. Tor- ner have five children, as follows: Fred W., who was born June 21, 1879, graduated from Alarietta College at the age of 19 years, took a business course in Eastmen's Business Col- lege at Poughkeepsie. New York, and is now bookkeeper for the Marietta Electric Company ; Mabel, born April 11, 1881, who is a graduate of the High School, and is in the junior year at Marietta College: Ada E., born December 11, 1883, also a graduate of the High School, who is in the freshman year at Marietta Col- lege : Howard T., born May 17, 1886, who is a freshman in the High School; and W. Ray- mond, born October 8, 1888, who completed the grammar school course in 1902. Frater- nally, the subject of this sketch is a Scottish Rite Mason, belonging to American Union Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M .: American Union Chapter, No. 1, R. A. M .: Marietta Com- mandery. No. 50. K. T .: Marietta Council, No. 78. R. & S. M .: Cincinnati Consistory. S. P. R. S .. 32nd degree: and the Eastern Star Chapter, No. 59, of which Mrs. Torner is also

a member. Mrs. Torner is a member of the Congregational Church. The family residence is at No. 420 Fifth street.

AMUEL KIRBY STEELE, who is the leading merchant of Bartlett, Ohio, successfully carries on a busi- ness which was established here by his maternal grandfather more than a half century ago. He was born in Wesley township. Washington County, Ohio, in 1872.

John W. Steele, his father, was born in 1840. in Amanda, Ohio, and was the son of Rev. John W. Steele, a minister in the Method- ist Church, who was born at Newtown, Vir- ginia, in 1813, and died in 1900. At the time of his death he was the oldest 1-horer in the field of the Ohio Conference, ha ing been in the ministry for 64 years. His faithful work brought many into the church and he was ad- mired and revered by his brethren, as well as by the members of the different churches where he served as pastor.

John W. Steele was one of the youngest soldiers of the Civil War. Ile enlisted at the age of 14 years, first in the 120th Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., and later in the 2nd Reg. Ohio Vol. Cavalry. Realizing that he could not secure his parents' permission to enlist, he left home without it, and served for three years, making an excellent record. Upon his return he learned the carpenter trade, and in 1868 came to Washington County, located in Bartlett, and engaged with the produce firm of S. B. Kirby & Co. In politics Mr. Steele has always been an ardent Republican, and in 1888 he was elected recorder of Washington Coun- ty, and was re-elected in 1891. His term of service covered six years. Ile has also been a justice of the peace in Wesley township, is a well-known member of the Bartlett Masonic lodge, and is a leading supporter of the Meth- odist Church. Mr. Steele was married to Lu- cinda Holloway, who was born in Flushing, Belmont County, Ohio, in 1849, and is a daughter of Elisha and Lydia Holloway, the

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former of whom died in 1884, at the age of 05 vears. The maternal grandmother of Samuel Kirby Steele was a woman of more than or- dinary force of character and business ability. She was born in Belmont County, Ohio, in 1820, and died in 1898. In 1840, she mar- ried Elisha Holloway, and some years later. they moved to Chester Hill, in Morgan Coun- ty, where they opened up a general store. In 1859. they moved the business to Bartlett. where she ably assisted her husband by her good judgment and business sense. She and her husband were mutual owners of the busi- ness, and she remained active in it until her death. when her son, Samuel, took her place. Few residents of this locality did more earnest or effective work in promoting the objects of the "Underground Railroad." They made no concealment of their true sentiments. They were most highly esteemed, and are still re- membered with respect and affection.

AAlthough Mrs. John W. Steele was reared in the principles of the Society of Friends, in which she had a birthright membership, she later in life joined her husband in the mem- bership in the Methodist Church. They had three children, namely: Horatio, Samuel Kirby and Rufus. The last named is the head bookkeeper for the Dime Savings Bank, of Marietta, while the eldest brother is associat- ed with the subject of this sketch in business.

Samuel Kirby Steele obtained his mental training in the public schools, and spent the five subsequent years in a general store in Flushing. Belmont County. In 1892, he came back to Bartlett and entered the general store of S. B. Kirby & Co. In the spring of 1898 he bought a half interest in the business, and upon the death of Mr. Kirby, in 1901, pur- chased the interest of his heirs, and is now in full control. Mr. Steele carries a large and complete stock of all goods usually found in village stores, selected with careful discrimin- ation which assures ready sales. To the shrewd tutelage of his grandmother, Mr. Steele attributes much of his success, as it was under her good management that he gained his knowledge of business.

In August, 1898, Mr. Steele was united in marriage with Elma Leota Morrow, who was born in Bartlett, in 1872, and is a daughter of Capt. J. C. and Lucy (Swayne ) (Van Law) Morrow. The latter was formerly the widow of Dr. Samuel Van Law. To this union was born a daughter, Lucy Melva, in 1901. Mr. Steele and his wife belong to the Methodist Church. In politics, the former adheres to the Republican party. The subject of this sketch is a young man of excellent business ability. of pleasant and winning manners, and most successfully conducts an old business house, which has always been conducted with integ- rity.

H. McCONNELL, general manager of the Marietta Manufacturing Com- pany, was born October 31. 1848. at Marietta, and is a son of James and Hannah McConnell, the mother being originally from western Virginia, where the Ogden oil fields are now located.

James McConnell. the father of J. H., was a cooper by trade, and was born in Ohio. He also followed the river, handling produce and commodities as far as New Orleans, until 1856, and was then employed by Captain Gurley, on the ferry across the Muskingum River. He died in 1800. Previous to their arrival in Marietta, the family lived about four years at Williamstown. Mr. McConnell's only broth- er, W. H. McConnell, was born at Williams- town, and is now superintendent of the Cov- ington Machine Company.

J. II. McConnell attended the public schools of Marietta in his early youth, but at the age of 12 years began to be a wage-earn- er, having entered the machine shop of Put- nam Sons & Co., on Fort street, where, dur- ing the war. he was employed in the bucket shop. For two years he worked in the foun- dry and machine shop of .A. T. Nye. He then went to the oil fields of Pleasants County, West Virginia, where he followed engineering for several years, and then worked on the steam- boat "Argo," on the Ohio River, for one year.

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

After the death of his father, T. J. Pattin was appointed his guardian, and by his advice he attended school during the folowing year at Marietta.

In 1869, Mr. McConnell engaged in busi- ness for himself, forming a partnership with Austin Alcock, in a machine shop at Harmar. In 1871 he bought Mr. Alcock's interest, and conducted the business alone until 1879 when hie consolidated with J. M. Blair, and also took in J. G. Hall and Frank Barnes. This strong combination of practical young men bought the Knox foundry, and made it the Harmar Foundry & Machine shop. Hard work and too close application, broke down Mr. McCon- nell's health, and in 1881 he sold his interest in this business, and in 1882 went as far west as North Dakota, locating above Grand Forks. near the Canadian line, and in that neighbor- hood, was engaged in farming for a year.

Home ties are strong, however, and in 1883, Mr. McConnell found himself back in Marietta. Here he was employed by W. F. Robertson & Co., as draftsman and pattern- maker, and later, as foreman, a position which he filled until 1890, when he bought Mr. Pres- ton's interest. Later, another combination was formed, Mr. McConnell, with Messrs. Lashley and Robertson, buying out Mr. Mc- Atee, and the new firm continued to prosper. Then Alla Winsor bought Mr. Robertson's in- terest, and the concern became the Marietta Manufacturing Company. In January, 1900. W. S. Dye bought Mr. Lashley's interest, the business being carried on under the

same name. The officers of this con- cern are : Alla Winsor, president; W.

S. Dye, secretary and treasurer ; and J. H. McConnell, general manager. The output is stoves and machinery of all kinds, machinery for steamboats being a specialty. This house has equipped some of the best tow- boats on the rivers, for parties in Cincinnati and Pittsburg, as well as other places, the ex- cellence of its work taking the trade from the larger cities. The company employs about 65 men. This is one of the leading industries of Marietta, and it is interestinig to note how it

has grown, through the enterprise of one strong, persistent, persevering man.

Mr. McConnell married Sarah Smith, who was born at Marietta, and is a daughter of William Smith, who formerly conducted a sawmill in this county. He resides with his son-in-law, and has reached the age of 84 years. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McConnell, three of whom are liv- ing, namely: J. P., foreman of the Marietta Manufacturing plant, who married Mary Johnson, and has one daughter, Faye; Edna, an accomplished young lady, who assists her father in his drafting; and Clarence A., who is employed in the company shops.

Mr. McConnell has served several years as Water Works trustee, being president of the board during the greater part of the time. He has also served as a member of the School Board and has been a member of the Council, at Har- mar. In a fratenal connection, he belongs to Harmar Blue Lodge, No. 390, F. & A. M .; Union Chapter No. 1; Marietta Commandery, No. 50; and Syrian Temple, at Cincinnati. He is a Shriner; and also a member of the Eastern Star, and was instrumental in the up- building of the lodge and chapter. His relig- ious membership is in the Congregational Church.

ILLIAM M. STILWELL, secre- tary, treasurer, and general man- ager of the Ohio Valley Wagon Company, of Marietta, Ohio, is a man of good judgment and practi- cal ability, and possesses the kindly regard of the people of his adopted home. He was born in Franklinville, Cattaraugus County, New York, and is a son of Lewis E. Stilwell, who carried on a manufacturing plant at that place, making carriages, buggies, and surries, so that the subject of this sketch learned thoroughly every detail of the business which he afterward made his own.

William M. Stilwell has traveled all over the United States, picking up ideas here and

CAPT. JAMES B. SHOOP.

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there and utilizing them in his business. He has been employed at Jacksonville, Florida ; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Cincinnati, Ohio; and in different cities in Kentucky, etc. When still a young man, he was interested a short time in the oil fields at Bradford, Pennsylva- nia, but entered business in his own name at Marietta, about four years ago, at Church and 4th streets, where he occupied the building used by the Ohio Valley Wagon Company as a repository, that company having been the outcome of the business first started.

The subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Miss Martin, of Clarion County, Pennsylvania, and they have two children,- Garnett, now a stenographer for the Ohio Val- ley Wagon Co., and Isabelle, attending school. They reside at their beautiful residence at No. 431 Third street. The Presbyterian is the fa- vorite religious denomination of the family.

In politics, Mr. Stilwell is a Democrat of the truest type. In social circles, he is a mem- ber of the Masonic Order, affiliating with the Harmar Blue Lodge, No. 390, American Un- ion Chapter No. I, and Marietta Council, No. 78. For the past twenty years, he has also affiliated with the A. O. U. W. fraternity. He is a practical man. and uses his common sense in all departments of his business, which is rapidly increasing.

APT. JAMES B. SHOOP was born in Marietta. February 2, 1842. About the year 1850 his parents removed to McConnelsville, and in that vil- lage, or vicinity, continued to reside until the beginning of the Civil War.

Mr. Shoop had such opportunities of edu- cation as were afforded by the public schools, but early in life he began work in the cabinet shop with his father. When the Civil War began Mr. Shoop, at the age of 19 years, re- sponded to the first call for volunteers. He enlisted in the first company which went from Morgan County, commanded by Capt. F. B. Pond, and assigned as Company H. to the 17th

Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., at Camp Anderson, near Lancaster, Ohio. With this company he served in what is now West Virginia, during a cam- paign of nearly four months, distinguishing himself by his cheerful. soldierly conduct, which gave assurance of his success.

Returning to his home he promptly re-en- listed for three years or during the war. in Company B, 62nd Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., then forming at Camp Goddard, near Zanesville, under Col. F. B. Pond. His reputation as a soldier was such that ere the regiment left Ohio he had been made a sergeant. His subsequent history was so identified with that of his com- pany and regiment, that their history is his. Without influential friends, on his merit alone, evinced on many a field of battle, he passed through the different grades of non-commis- sioned officers, to the command of a company with the rank of captain.

As early as August, 1863, while first lieu- tenant, he was in command of Company B. in which he enlisted. He participated in the ar- duous campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, in the first battle at Kernstown, or Winchester, and in many skirmishes in other parts of the valley. With his regiment, he helped to cover the rear of Mcclellan's retreating army before Richmond, and was in many skirmishes in front of Harrison's Landing. From the Pe- ninsula he went to Suffolk, and was engaged in at least four skirmishes along the Black Water. Thence he went with his regiment to Newbern, and a little later, in 1863, to the coast of South Carolina, where. on Folly and Morris islands, he was engaged in the siege of Charleston. In the bloody charge on Fort Wagner, on Morris Island, he received a se- vere wound which, however, did not deter him from rejoining his command. after a short ex- perience in the hospital: vet from the results of that wound he has ever been a sufferer, and for the last twelve years, he has been para- lyzed in his lower limbs, and confined to his rolling chair. He rejoined his company in time to take an active part in the long and arduous campaign (which might almost be called one continuous battle) for five or six months, in front of Petersburg and Richmond.

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

At this distance of time it is hard to realize that day after day and week after week, there was ahnost continuous firing in the trenches and on the picket posts before Richmond and that here the soldierly qualities of men were more severely tried perhaps than in some of the bloodiest battles. Within this time the subject of this sketch also took part in some battles that have come down in history as dis- tinct engagements, namely: Those at Cha- pin's Farm, the Darbytown Roads, Strawberry Plains and Deep Bottom Run.

Captain Shoop received many assurances and testimonials of the respect and esteem in which he was held in his command. One of the most cherished of these was an elegant sword, sash and belt, presented to him by his old company, B, at Christmas, 1803, at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

At the close of his term of enlistment the Captain returned to his home in Morgan Coun- ty, and on July 18, 1865, he married Lizzie Koons, of McConnelsville. Eight children were born to this union, of whom seven are still living.

In 1866 Captain Shoop began business as a cabinetmaker, in Amesville, Ohio, and fol- lowed that occupation assiduously until strick- en down by paralysis. While engaged in this business he was singularly unfortunate through losses occasioned by fires. The first fire, in 1870, destroyed his home. In 1873 a building, in which he had stored furniture, was burned; and in 1875 his entire shop and tools were consumed. Yet, all these disasters did not deter hin from again starting in busi- ness, and he was actively engaged as long as his physical strength would permit. He has been an office bearer in the Presbyterian Church, and in the Masonic bodies, of which he is still an honored member. In politics he is a Republican: but although he takes an ac- tive interest in the questions of the day. that interest has been manifested as a patriotic cit- izen, and not as an office seeker. Of him, says his friend. Martin R. Andrews : "He now lives a quiet and retired life in his pleasant home at Beverly, beloved by all his surviving comrades, and honored by the whole community.

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 157

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490