USA > Ohio > History of the Upper Ohio Valley, with family history and biographical sketches, a statement of its resources, industrial growth and commercial advantages, Vol. I > Part 28
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John A. Boring, a venerable citizen of Wheeling, who has acted an important part, as a leading builder, in its development, was born in Washington, Penn., October 14, 1816. His parents were Ephraim M. and Margaret (Henry) Boring, both natives of Pennsylvania, who settled at Zanesville in 1817, and thence came to Wheeling in 1824. The father was a mechanic of considerable skill, and followed at various times stone masonry, bricklaying, tailoring and carpentry. During the war of 1812, he occupied the position of fife major. His death occurred in Christian county, Ky., April 21, 1858, at the age of fifty-eight years. Nine children were born to him, of whom seven grew to maturity: Charlotte, wife of Jacob Robinson; John W .; Sarah, wife of Mr. Clark; Ellen, wife of William Hercules; Eliza, wife of Henry Smith; Martha, wife of Thaddeus Bell, and George W. John W., the subject of this mention, who was reared in Wheeling, and engaged in business there as a bricklayer and manu- facturer, in which he was occupied for forty years. Among the build- ings which he erected are Washington Hall, built in 1852, First ward school building, in 1869, Fourth ward school, in 1870, and many others, including dwellings and warehouses. Mr. Boring has been prominent socially throughout his career, and has been for thirty years a member of the Baptist church, and is a veteran member of the I. O. O. F. He has taken an interest in public affairs, and in the government of the city, having served seventeen years faithfully and honorably as a member of the city council, and ten years as a member of the board of county commissioners. He has also acted four years as a member of the board of education. Mr. Boring has been three times married: first to Louisa Stevenson, of Virginia; second, to Eliza A. Snyder, of Cincinnati, and lastly, to Josephine,
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daughter of Peter Zillars, of Wheeling, by whom he has four chil- dren: Retta, Eliza A., Mary M. and John W., Jr.
Adolph Bott, an enterprising retail grocer of Wheeling, was born at Borbels, by Geisa, Sachsen Weimar Eisenach, Germany, Febru- ary 19, 1852. His parents, Joseph and Katharine Bott, both died while he was a child, the mother when he was six, and the father when he was fourteen, years old. He worked on a farm at his native place until he was seventeen years old, when, in the year 1869, he embarked at Bremen, on September 4, and reached Baltimore on October 10. Coming direct to Wheeling, he arrived at that city Octo- ber 12, 1869, and there has made his home ever since. He was first employed at farm work near the city for two years, and he was then for six years engaged in coal mining, after which in 1877 he became interested in the dairy business, which occupied him for seven years. He engaged in the grocery trade at No. 263 Eoff street, in 1884, and has there done a successful business ever since. He is a popular busi- ness man and has many friends. On January 15, 1874, he was married to Elizabeth Shaedler, who was born in Hauswurtz, Hessen, Germany, March 20, 1856, the daughter of Joseph and Dorothea Shaedler, and came to America with a sister in 1872. Mr. Bott made a visit to his native land in the summer of 1886, and on his return brought with him Bertha Schwert, his sister's daughter, who has a home in his family. Mr. and Mrs. Bott are members of the Catholic church, and he is a member of St. Alphonsus society, and the German pioneer society ..
Judge George E. Boyd, a well-known member of the bar of Wheel- ing, and prominent among the jurists of the state, is a native of Cumberland, Ohio, and is a son of John E. Boyd, who was one of the early merchants of Wheeling. The latter was born at Alexandria, Va., in 1812, and in about the year 1830, removed to Washington, Guern- sey Co., Ohio, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. Thence he subsequently removed to Cumberland in the same county, and from that place in about 1849 he came to Wheeling and formed a partner- ship with Samuel Ott. Under the firm name of Boyd & Ott these gentlemen did an extensive business in wholesaling dry goods. About the year 1861 John E. Boyd removed to Philadelphia, and embarked in the banking business, and established and served as president of the Gold Exchange. Retiring from business in 1868 he made his home at Chase City, Va., and is there engaged at farming at present. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Endly, was married to him at Washington, Ohio, some fifty-five years ago. She is a native of Maryland, and is a daughter of Jacob Endly, of German descent. Three sons and two daughters were born to these parents, of whom one son is deceased. Judge Boyd was born in Cumberland, Ohio, December 29, 1839, and after the first ten years of his life spent in his native place he became a resident of Wheeling, where he has ever since remained. He received his literary education at the Linsly institute, and at Washington college, Pennsylvania, at which latter in- stitution he was graduated in 1858. He then applied himself to the
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study of law, and after completing a course of study and receiving his degree from the Cincinnati law school in 1860, he was admitted to the bar in 1861. A few years later, in 1868, he was honored by elec- tion as prosecuting attorney of Wetzel county, and held that position until 1870. His practice continued with much success and honor to himself until 1876, when he was elevated to the bench as judge of the Ohio county court, and this position he filled until the court was abolished. In 18So he was elected by the democratic party as judge of the first judicial circuit of West Virginia, his election being notable from the fact that his party was in the minority in the district. In the practice in which Judge Boyd is at present engaged, his son, George E., is associated. The latter was born January 24, 1866, and received his education at the University of Virginia. He studied law at the University of West Virginia, and was graduated at that insti- tution in 1887, and in the same year admitted to the bar. The wife of Judge Boyd, to whom he was married June 18, 1864, is Anna, daughter of Alfred Colwell, a distinguished lawyer. The other chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are Alfred Colwell Boyd, now aged twenty years, and a daughter, Beulah Boyd.
Rev. Adeodat Boutlou, of Moundsville, in charge of the Catholic church at that place, was born in Brittany, France, in the year 1850. He was educated in his native land for the priesthood, and was or- dained as a priest for the diocese of Rennes in 1875. In December of the following year, at the call of Rt. Rev. Bishop Kain, of Wheel- ing, he came to the United States, and after remaining at Parkers- burgh for a few months, where he obtained an acquaintance with the English language, he was sent to Charleston. There he attended the Kanawha missions for five years. In 1883 he re-visited his home in France, and during that visit having met with an accident, that dis- abled him for active duty, he was on his return appointed chaplain at Mt. de Chantal; near Wheeling. It was from that place that he was sent to Moundsville in the latter part of June, 1884.
Sobieski Brady, formerly a prominent citizen of Wheeling, who served the state as treasurer, and afterward as secretary of state, was born in Carlisle, Penn., in 1816. He was the son of Rev. Joseph Brady, once a popular Presbyterian divine, but at an early age was deprived of parental care. As early as 1832, he became a teller in the Carlisle bank, and in 1835 he went to Philadelphia and became corresponding clerk of the Farmers' and Mechanics' bank, of Philadel- phia. Though yet under his majority, he displayed ability in finan- cial matters of such a degree that he was sent to Wheeling by the latter named bank to take the position of cashier of the old Merchants' and Mechanics' bank, at Wheeling. This place he held until the bank with which he was connected was succeeded by the Merchants' National bank, when Mr. Brady resigned, and was for some time in retired life. On the 31st of January, 1875, he was called by Gov. Jacob, to the position of state treasurer, as successor to John S. Burdett, and that office he satisfactorily filled until his appointment by Gov. Matthews. as secretary of state, in March, 1877. He filled
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that term with honor, and subsequently resided at Wheeling until the time of his death in September, 1888. He was prominent in munici- pal affairs and served the city as councilman and as mayor for nearly a quarter of a century. On January 31, 1850, he was presented by the council with a massive stone pitcher, appropriately inscribed, in testimony of the consideration in which his valuable services were held. He was married in August, 1838, to Mary E. S., daughter of Hon. Alexander Caldwell, and to them nine children were born. Among these children the following may be named: Joseph B. Brady, now notable among the younger citizens and manufacturers of Wheeling, is secretary and manager of the Wheeling Hinge company. He was born at Wheeling, September 23, 1851. After receiving an academic education he went to Cincinnati, where he was book-keeper for a hardware house for three years. Returning to Wheeling he was for some time book-keeper in the National bank of West Vir- ginia, and subsequently was connected with the wholesale grocery of Joseph Speidel & Co., a position he relinquished to become manager of the Evening Standard. In March, 1880, he became secretary of the Hinge company, and since 1884, he has held the managership also. He was married October 5, 1876, to Anna, youngest daughter of Chester D. Hubbard, of Wheeling.
Charles N. Brady was born at Wheeling, May S, 1849. For many years he was connected with the Hobbs & Brockunier Glass company, first as book-keeper and then as traveling salesman. He was the or- ganizer of the Riverside Glass works, at Wellsburg, where he resided for some time, and from there moved to Washington, Penn., and founded the Hazel Glass company, of which he is president. He re- tains an interest in the Wellsburg works, and is also connected with a machine shop at Washington, and carbon works at the latter place. He is married to Mary, daughter of Elisha W. Paxton, of Wellsburg. William S. Brady began his career as book-keeper for Brues & Cof- fer, dry goods merchants, and was next book-keeper for the Wheel- ing Intelligencer for many years. Subsequently, he held the same position with the Hobbs, Brockunier & Company Glass works, and suc- ceeded his brother as president of the Riverside Glass works, at Wellsburg. He was one of those who organized the Fostoria, Ohio, Glass company, of which he is now secretary and treasurer, with his residence at that city. His wife is Sarah, daughter of Dr. E. A. Hil- dreth, deceased, formerly of Wheeling.
Charles F. Brandfass, one of the leading tobacconists of Wheeling, is prominent as a citizen, and in January, 1889, was elected to represent the Third ward in the second branch of the city council. Mr. Brand- fass was born in Hesse, Germany, June 5, 1851. In August, 1860, he accompanied his mother to the United States, his father having died in the old country. They landed at Baltimore and came directly to Wheeling, where he had an uncle and an older brother and sister re- siding. Charles F. lived and worked on a farm for several years, and at the age of fourteen came to Wheeling, and was employed at the McLure house for about a year. He next served an apprentice-
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ship at the trade of cigarmaker, and during the same period devoted much time to the study of music. To this art he gave much atten- tion, and was one of the organizers of the Opera House orchestra, in which he played the trombone. In 1873 Mr. Brandfass first went into business as a partner of Peter Muhn, with whom he has ever since been associated, and they opened a cigar store and factory at 1321 Main street, whence they removed in 1873, to the corner of Main and Four- teenth streets, their present place of business. They manufacture a full line of cigars from stogies up to the finer grades, and their brands are widely popular. The establishment occupies three floors of the building and some thirty-five cigarmakers are employed in the factory. The firm does an almost exclusive wholesale business. In 1882 they added leaf tobacco to their stock, and do an extensive trade in that department. In 1886 Mr. Brandfass formed a partnership with H. L. Loos, in the manufacture of chewing and smoking tobacco, which they continued until April, 1889, when in connection with Augustus Pollock, they organized the West Virginia Tobacco company, of which Mr. Brandfass is treasurer. He was married in 1873 to Mary Wiedenbusch, of Wheeling, by whom he has six children. He is a member of the St. John's Protestant church.
George John Bradshaw, the efficient manager of the Warwick China company, was born at Hanley, Stock-upon-Trent, England, in 1836, the son of George and Mary (Kelsow) Bradshaw. His educa- tion was received in the National school of England. He early se- lected the pottery business as a vocation for life, and at once began to learn the trade of turning, as an apprentice to Messrs. Harding & Coxon, of Cobridge, Staffordshire, England. Having served an apprenticeship of seven years he took a situation at the Messrs. Men- tons' pottery, where he became the head turner in that noted establish- ment, remaining in that capacity for fourteen years. After severing his connection with the Mentons, Mr. Bradshaw was solicited to take the management of William Webberly's China manufactory, at Longton, Staffordshire, which offer he accepted, and for several years he was at the head of this large concern. His next business connection was with the great establishment of Hopeland & Sons, of Stock-upon- Trent. He filled the position of manager of the china department of this firm for several years, after which time he came to the United States where he has since remained. His first position in this country was with the Eagle pottery, of Trenton, N. J. After several years of successful management there he became the manager of Homer Laughlin's pottery, at East Liverpool, Ohio. September 5, 1887, he was secured as manager for the Warwick China company. Mr. Brad- shaw has been twice married. In 1861 he was united in marriage to Miss Robinson, of England, by whom he had one son, George Robin- son Bradshaw, of England. His second wife was Miss Birks. Their children are: Florence, Susan, Jennie and Laura. The subject of this biographical sketch is a member of the Royal Arcanum, of the Equitable association, and an attendant of the church of England. Since coming to this country he has gained a very extensive reputa-
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tion as one of the most efficient and able pottery managers in the United States. The Warwick China company owes its successful manufacture of the very finest china to him, as his extended experi- ence in this department qualifies him, above all others holding like situations in this vicinity, to make a fine grade of chinaware. He came to Wheeling in September, 1887.
George W. Bremer, senior member of the firm of Bremer & Schaefer, wholesale confectioners and dealers in fancy groceries, was born at Wheeling, September 7, 1854, the son of Christian and Caro- line (Specht) Bremer. His parents were natives of Germany, and immigrated and settled at Wheeling in 1847, and still reside in this city They reared a family of six children: William, George W .; Anna, wife of Edward Schaefer; Henry, Ella and John. George W. was reared at Wheeling, and educated in the public schools of the city until he was twelve years of age, when he left school, and after various employments entered the fancy grocery store of Davis & Miller, by whom he was employed for thirteen years, first as -errand boy, later as clerk, and during the last six years of his engagement with them, as traveling salesman. Having acquired a thorough ac- quaintance with the business, in 1881 he embarked in the trade with his brother-in-law, Mr. Schaefer, purchasing the business of Louis Braun at the old stone bridge, where they were located one year and three months. They then did business at the Reed block on Main street, and remained there until 1886, since when they have occupied their establishment extending from Main to South streets. This firm started out with a limited capital, but the excellent knowledge of business they have manifested, and the remarkable popularity they soon achieved, have given them a trade second to none in the city. Mr. Bremer is in politics a democrat. He is a member of the United Presbyterian church, and his fraternal affiliations are with the Ma- sonic order, in which he has the degrees of R. A. M., K. T., and Mystic Shrine. In May, 1881, Mr. Bremer was married to Re- becca E., daughter of Thomas and Barbara Colvin, of Wheeling, and he has one son: Earl C.
A name worthy to be perpetuated in connection with the history of the upper Ohio valley, is that of John Brice, the pioneer of the Presbyterian ministry in Ohio county. A native of Maryland, he studied theology at the Princeton, N. J., seminary, at the time when that famous institution was held in a double log-house, which build- ing was used both as a boarding house and class room. From Prince- ton John Brice walked to Ohio county, carrying his wardrobe and library, a change of linen, a bible and hymn-book, his total pos- sessions, in a pack on his back. He settled on Wheeling creek, and there and thereabouts preached the gospel. Under his charge the first two Presbyterian churches of the county were organized, the first one being held in a log-house, on the site of the old stone church, at the forks of Wheeling creek. He was married after coming to this county to Margaret Stockton, of near Pittsburgh, by whom he had one son and six daughters. The son, John Brice, was born March 19,
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1797, and became a farmer of his native county of Ohio. In about 1821 he was married to Nancy Byers, of Washington county, Penn., and in 1824 he removed to Belmont county, Ohio, where he pur- chased land. There he followed the life of a farmer, and a worthy and esteemed citizen, until his death, in 1882. His wife died in 1871 at the age of sixty-seven years. Nine children were born to them: Mary J., who married Alexander Greenlee, and died in 1858; Thomas B .; John; William S., died in 1859; Margaret, widow of James A. Carroll; Robert S., physician of Denver, Col .; S. L .; Annie Waters, of Allegheny City; Sarah E., wife of Joseph Lanson, super- intendent of Belmont bridge,
Sylvester L. Brice, son of the above, now one of the prominent druggists of Wheeling, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, Feb- ruary 19, 1840, and was reared to his sixteenth year on the farm in his native county. He then attended school one year at West Alex- ander academy, and after teaching a period, attended the academy at Washington, Ohio, the High school at Powhattan, and afterward the Lebanon, Ohio, college. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union army as a member of Company F, Fifty-second regiment Ohio volunteers, and served until the close of the war, winning by honorable conduct promotion from private to captain of his company. During the march to the sea and through the Carolinas, he served as adjutant of his regiment. After the war he came to Wheeling, and became a clerk for McClain & Bros., druggists, and in April, 1867, embarked in busi- ness for himself at the corner of Jacob and Thirty-sixth streets. Mr. Brice is one of the influential men of the city, and has twice held a seat in the first branch of the city council, first from the Eighth and next from the Sixth ward. In 1887 he was elected city collector for the years 1887-88, which office he filled with entire satisfaction to the city, being complimented with a vote of thanks both from the board of education, and also the city council for the prompt and excellent manner in which he discharged the duties of the collector's office. He is a member of the Masonic order and a comrade of Holliday post, No. 12, G. A. R. In October, 1872, Mr. Brice was married to Ella Taney, sister of Miss Taney, of the Daily Register. They have had five children, three of whom survive: William L., Malcolm T., and Ella L. Mrs. Brice is a member of St. Matthews Episcopal church.
J. Brilles, one of the prominent merchant tailors of Wheeling, was born in Prussia, May 1, 1836. He came to America in the fall of 1854, and first settled temporarily at New York city. Thence in the following year he removed to Canton, Ohio, and after a residence there of two years, removed to New Philadelphia, Ohio, where he re- mained one year. Going then to Cadiz, Ohio, he was a resident of that place until 1882, when he came to Wheeling. At this city he continued in the merchant tailoring and clothing trade, in which he had been engaged until 1886, since which date he has given all his at- tention to merchant tailoring, with much success, this establishment, which has one of the most desirable locations in the city, at the cor-
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ner of Main and Twelfth streets, ranking among the most popular of Wheeling. Mr. Brilles is a member of the Masonic and I. O. B. B. fraternities. He was married in 1863, to Mary Aschhiem, of New York city, and eight children have been born to them, of whom four sons and two daughters survive.
Rev. Jacob Brittingham, rector of St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal church, of Wheeling, was born in Northampton county, Va., Septem- ber 25, 1852, the son of Elijah and Virginia S. H. (Nottingham) Brit- tingham, natives of the same county. The father was the son of Elijah Brittingham and Margaret Long, natives of the eastern shore of Maryland, and of English descent, and the mother was the daugh- ter of Levin Nottingham and Sarah Hubbard, also both of English lineage, and natives of Northampton county, Va. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood and youth in his native county, and in the public and private schools received his early education. At sixteen years of age he entered the Episcopal high school near Alexan- dria, Va., and after studying there three years he spent an equal period in the university of Virginia. He was engaged then as a tutor one year in Hardy county, W. Va., and during the next two years he was principal of the public school at Moorefield. During part of this period he also pursued the study of law, but on the 25th of Septem- ber, 1878, he entered the Theological Seminary of Virginia, with the intention of preparing for the ministry, and after a full three years' course, graduated June 23, 1881. He was ordained to the Diaconate, June 24, 1881, and to the priesthood June 13, 1882. For nearly two years he was engaged in missionary work in West Virginia, preach- ing at Ravenswood, Ripley, Sistersville, New Martinsville, Raven's Rock and in Roane county. August 12, 1883, he became rector of Christ church, at Clarksburgh, W. Va., and minister in charge of a mission station in Grafton, W. Va. He resigned the latter on the 12th of August, 1888, giving his whole time to Clarksburg until Janu- ary 25, 1889, when he accepted a call to a parish in Wheeling. On March 3, 1889, he entered upon the rectorship he now holds, and dur- ing his comparatively brief service here he has evinced notable abil- ity and devotion to his cause.
The Rev. Samuel R. Brockunier, widely known throughout the middle and western states, as an able and successful minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, was one of the early pioneers of his denomination in the Ohio valley, fulfilling his mission with usefulness and acceptability for the space of nearly fifty years. He was born in Huntingdon county, Penn., June 12, 1795; entered the ministry in 1817, and died at his home near Wheeling, July 22, 1867. His travels, in the line of his vocation, were extensive and laborious, embracing largely the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Ohio. His first appointment was to Chautauqua circuit (New York and Penn- sylvania) in 1817, and was 400 miles around, preaching forty times each round. In 1821 he came to the vicinity of Wheeling; filled prominent stations at Pittsburgh, Wheeling, Steubenville, etc .; was presiding elder for thirteen years, a position in the Methodist church
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of those days equivalent to that of assistant bishop; was a member of the general conference of 1836, and throughout all was abundant in labors, wise in counsel, safe in administration, and a genial sympa- thetic friend and pastor. Rev. Mr. Brockunier was married in 1824, to Miss Sarah Z. Clarke, daughter of the late John Clarke, Esq., of Belmont county, Ohio, and Rebecca Zane, his wife. Their children were: Mary R., deceased; Georgiana, deceased; Elizabeth C., Wil- bur C. and Charles W. Mr. Brockunier was a man of powerful physique, a strong, active brain, and a tender, loving heart. Traditions are still extant of the compass, power, melody and sweetness of his voice as one of remarkable character. His success was very great, the accessions to the membership of the church through his instrumen- tality being numbered by the thousands. Thus "being dead he yet speaketh.'
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