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 39
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92
* By Hon. George W. Atkinson.
313
OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
war of 1812. Mr. Hart was educated in the public schools of New York and Brooklyn, in the English and French academy in Brooklyn, and in a four-years' course in St. Timothy's Hall, Maryland, a military academy of high repute in its day. At St. Timothy's Hall he was the salutatorian of his class. He displayed more than common facility in acquiring languages, both ancient and modern. In these days of ac- tive-business he gladly turns for mental rest and diversion to a good book in French, Spanish or German, and reads out of the original with fluency and satisfaction. From 1868 to 1869 he taught school in Queen Anne's county, Md. With no intention of being admitted to the bar, he read law with the Hon. Benjamin Harris Brewster, of Philadelphia, attorney-general in the cabinet of the late President Arthur. In early life he decided to adopt journalism as a profession. Accordingly, in 1871, he began his journalistic career by serving as reporter, city editor, telegraph editor, managing editor, editorial writer and Washington correspondent. Mr. Hart has been connected with the Chronicle, Inquirer, North American, and Press of Philadel- phia. He was editorial writer on the Philadelphia Press, when, No- vember 15, 1882, he purchased an interest in the Wheeling Intelli- gencer, succeeding the Hon. A. W. Campbell as editor of that well- known and thoroughly established newspaper. He is a republican in politics, and in 1872 cast his first ballot for Gen. Grant and the entire republican ticket, although at the time he was employed on an inde- pendent republican newspaper that supported Horace Greeley. Be- fore he arrived at his twenty-first birthday he took an active part in political campaigns, delivering republican speeches, and has never been allied with any other political organization. An earnest student of politics, yet he has never been a candidate for political preferment, and has no taste for public office, or aspiration of any kind in that di- rection. He is a journalist in the broadest sense and meaning of the word, loves his calling, and will not allow himself to be side-tracked by the allurements of official favor, or ambitions of any kind what- ever. January 25, 1877, he married Miss Mary Willie, daughter of Morgan L. Ott, of Wheeling. Two children have resulted from this union, Morgan Ott and Virginia Stevens, the latter deceased. Mr. Hart is not only a thorough journalist, but he is public-spirited and enterprising as well. He set on foot the movement that resulted in in the great gathering of West Virginians known as the Immigration Convention, that was held in the city of Wheeling in February, 1888, which had for its object the development of the boundless natural re- sources of West Virginia. That convention was attended by dele- gates from every portion of the state, which gave an impetus to an immigration movement that will not likely cease until West Virginia's wonderful natural advantages are made thoroughly known to the people throughout the country. Mr. Hart was chosen by that great convention as president of the state board of immigration and devel- opment, and has given to the position his best energies, which have already produced the most gratifying results.
314
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
William L. Hearne, a prominent capitalist who is devoting his capi- tal largely to the upbuilding of the iron industry of the upper Ohio valley, has secured for himself a well deserved place in the esteem of the people, demands from an impartial historian also, by his career, such mention as will briefly but accurately show his relation to the development of those important institutions, which have in recent periods revolutionized to so large an extent the character of that region. It wasnot until Mr. Hearne had attained wealth by the suc- cessful prosecution of other business that he removed to Wheeling, and lent his aid to the manufactures peculiar to this valley. He is a native of Delaware, born in 1818, and was there reared; and while a young man, was married, in 1837, to a sister of Gov. Ross. In 1857 he removed to Missouri, and at Hannibal engaged in the tobacco business. Five years later he made his home in New York, and con- tinued the same business there until May, 1865, after which date he was again a resident of Hannibal, Mo., for two years. In 1867 he came to Wheeling, and became a stockholder and director in the association known as Dewey, Vance & Co., owners of the iron works afterward known as the Riverside, one of the best appointed nail establishments in the country, which has done mnuch to produce the wide reputation which Wheeling has acquired for the production of nails. When Mr. Hearne become a partner in the business the nail mill was in process of construction. The next enlargement of the plant was the blast furnace at Benwood, which was completed in 1871, and put in blast February 9, 1872. The average weekly product of this furnace is now 1,000 tons of pig iron, all consumed in the com- pany's steel plant. The blast furnace formerly used by the Steuben- ville Furnace company, was purchased by the Riverside company, in 1885, and thoroughly remodeled, and it now produces for the com- pany an average of 850 tons per week. A Bessemer steel plant was added at Benwood, which began operations June 11, 1884, perfectly constructed and equipped, and a plate mill, adjacent, was built in 1885. The company also has a mill for the production of bar steel and light T rails, steel pipe mills with an average annual capacity of 30,000 tons, and two large nail factories which can turn out 12,000 kegs of nails a week. Of late, the manufacture of steel pipe has been given special prominence, and with much success. About 1,500 workmen are given employment in the mills of this company. Upon the re-organization and incorporation of the company in 1874, Mr. Hearne became gen- eral manager, and this position he held until 1876, when he was suc- ceeded by his son, Frank J., but he is still a prominent stockholder and director. Mr. Hearne is also president of the West Virginia China company, which was founded in 1887, by him and others, and has one of the most important and extensive plants in the city. He is also a stockholder in the Woodward Iron works of Alabama. Mr. Hearne, in 1877, was chosen a member of the house of delegates of West Virginia. He is a member of the Second Presbyterian church, of which he has been a trustee for twenty years. The first wife of
315
OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
Mr. Hearne, by whom he had seven children, died in 1864, and in the latter part of 1865, he was married to a daughter of Col. J. B. Ford, to which union three children were born.
Frank J. Hearne, son of the above, who occupies the responsible position of general manager of the entire plant of the Riverside Iron works, the largest iron and steel manufacturing plant in the state, and one of the largest west of the Alleghanies, assumed that position at the age of twenty-nine years. He possesses remarkable abilities of the order essential to the proper discharge of such a trust, and his grasp of the details of the business and executive power can best be characterized by simple reference to the immense establishment in whose management he has succeeded to so satisfactory a degree. Born at Cambridge, Md., September 21, 1846, he was reared there un- til in his eleventh year he accompanied his parents to Missouri. In 1861 he returned to the east and completed his education, attending schools at Sandwich, Mass., Norristown, Penn., and Brooklyn, N. Y., and in the fall of 1863, entering the sophomore class of the University of New York, and in February, 1865, the Troy Polytechnic Institute, where he was graduated in June, 1867. In the following month he returned to Hannibal, Mo., and became assistant engineer of the Hannibal & St. Joseph railroad, a position he held until he came to Wheeiing in May, 1872. He then became assistant manager of the Riverside furnace, was subsequently promoted manager of the same, then assistant manager of the entire plant, and finally in 1875, assumed the position he now holds. Mr. Hearne is a member and vestryman of the St. Matthew's Episcopal church. He was married in Omaha, Neb., December 21, 1869, to Lillie Lee, and to this union one son, William L. Hearne, J.r., was born in 1878.
Among the prosperous retail grocers of Wheeling should be men- tioned Casper Heil, whose place of business is at No. 139 Eighteenth street. Mr. Heil was born at Grossenleider, in Hessen, Germany, November 21, 1828, the son of John and Elizabeth (Truschel) Heil, who passed their lives in their native land. He was the sixth born in a family of eight children, five of whom, Andrew, Ferdinand, Casper, Joseph and Mary, came to America. Two of these, Andrew and Ferdinand are now deceased. In 1847, at the age of nineteen years, Casper Heil came to America, leaving home March 18, embarking at London, in the ship Queen Victoria, and reaching New York, May 9. After working as a miner at Pottsville, Penn., a few months, he came to Wheeling, August 16, 1847, where he learned the trade of stone masonry with Thomas McLaughlin, and followed that occupation until 1866. Since then he has been engaged in the grocery business, and for the past twenty years has done a successful business at the place above named. Mr. Heil is influential in municipal affairs, and has served for four years as a member of the second branch of the city council. For more than twenty years he has been a stock- holder and director of the German bank of Wheeling, and for several years he served as a director of the German Fire Insurance company. Mr. Heil was married July 11, 1850, to Mary Hungermann, who was
316
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
born in Ubbenbiren, Prussia, the daughter of Gerhard and Catherine (Nottmeier) Hungermann. She came with her family to America in 1847, and they settled in Mckeesport, Penn., where the mother and father died of cholera in 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Heil have had six child- ren: George, deceased; George, John F., Mary B., Joseph and Henry. Mr. Heil and wife are members of the Catholic church, and he is a member of the St. Alphonsus society.
George Heil, assistant secretary of the city board of gas trustees, was born at Wheeling, August 25; 1853. He is a son of Casper Heil, a well-known retail dealer in groceries of Wheeling, who was born in Germany about 1828, and came to America near the year 1847, set- tling at once at Wheeling. By his wife, Mary Hungermann, also a native of Germany, he had four sons and one daughter. Casper Heil is of much prominence as a citizen and has served several terms as a member of the city council. He and wife are members of the St. Alphonsus Catholic church. George Heil was reared at Wheel- ing, and received a liberal and classical eduction at St. Vincent's col- lege. Though a young man he has had opportunities to prove his fidelity to public trusts, and is one of the popular men of the city. Under Sheriff R. S. Brown, now deceased, he served as deputy sheriff of Ohio county, and in 1881 he was appointed assistant secre- tary of the gas board, a position he held until he was appointed sec- retary, as which he served the board two years. In October, 1889, he was chosen assistant secretary for the term of two years. Mr. Heil was married January 22, 1884, to Miss Annie Yeager, daughter of N. Yeager, deceased, and by this union has two sons, William and Louis. He and wife are members of St. Alphonsus Catholic church.
Of the early history of the Heiskell family but little is known, save that Christian Heiskell, first of the name in America, came to this country in the early part of the eighteenth century, and settled at Hagerstown, in the colony of Maryland. By his marriage to a lady by the name of Stidinger, whose father was an officer in the Revolu- tionary army, he had four sons: Frederick, Peter, Godolph and Adam, and one daughter. The daughter married a man by the name of Lauch, who served under Arnold in his siege of Quebec, and in the French and Indian war. Frederick alone remained in Hagerstown, the others settled in different parts of Maryland and the Old Domin- ion, where their descendants still reside. Frederick married Cather- ine Hampton, a niece of the revolutionary General Wade Hampton. She was the mother of several children: John, George, Amelia, Sara, Samuel, William, Frederick, Catherine, and Daniel. These children all settled in Tennessee. John, the eldest, was born at Hagerstown, June 9, 1775. Of his early life but little is known. He served in the American army, with the rank of captain, during the war of 1812 and at its close returned to Winchester, Va., where he edited the " Gazette," a whig journal. The following interesting men- tion is made of him in an old pamphlet, entitled, "Echoes from the Past, or Winchester and Its Environs in the Olden Times." Among the public-spirited men of the town (we must be allowed to say the
317
OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
noblest Roman of them all) was Mr. John Heiskell, who conducted one of the town papers, and held many responsible offices at various times in the corporation. During his time there were more improve- ments going on and completed than ever before or since. His whole heart was wrapped up in the prosperity of the town. It may be said to have been his hobby. There has been no one to fill his place since he died. He was social in his feelings, though of a 'fire and tow' temperament, easily excited, and as easily mollified. His heart was as open as day to the calls of charity. Of his lady we cannot speak in too high terms of commendation, therefore we will be silent. They have both gone to their reward." In another place in this town his- tory we find John Heiskell spoken of in connection with the "first printing office." The article is given in full: "We have no authority for saying by whom the first newspaper was published in Winchester, but think it was by Richard Bowen, a gentleman who came from England, who was the father of Mr. John Bowen, printer, once of the town, and grandfather of J. R. Bowen, of this place. A news- paper in those days was a rarity, and as eagerly sought after as a hungry man would hunt after something wherewith to satisfy his ap- petite. We do not know for certain what Mr. Bowen called his paper, but think it was the Gazette, or Winchester Gazette, nor do we know how long a period he continued its publication. If we err not, Mr. John Heiskell purchased the office from Mr. Bowen. As early as 1803-4, or thereabouts, it was issued by Mr. Heiskell, and conveyed to its different destinations by means of mail carriers, or post-riders, as they were called then. Stage coaches were scarce. A line plied between this and Staunton some years later. Mr. Heiskell had his own private mail to the different villages of Newton, Millwood, Front Royal, Whitepost, and so on. One of his post-riders was a colored man, by the name of Cupid (not the god of love, by long odds), a full-blooded African, who always put us much in mind of Calaban in the tempest. Cupid used to tell a sad story about the manner in which he was hampered and taken away from his home in Africa. He could converse very well in his own language, being of the tribe of Boblebindo, or Kaphusalem tribe of Ethiops. While with his parents (who had placed him at some distance from them), who were hoeing corn in a little patch close by, the buckra man trap- pers came suddenly upon them. The parents fled for dear life, and the poor little black nudity who, no doubt, resembled a monkey, put into a bag, lugged aboard ship, and brought to this country. Cupid once belonged to Judge Holmes, from whom Mr. Heiskell purchased him for the very extraordinary price of a four or five dollar pair of boots. Cupid lived to be almost a centenarian, read his bible,
prayed as a good Christian should, died, and we hope-there can scarcely be a doubt about it-saved. The Gazette was published at different periods by various proprietors. About 1824 it was purchased by Mr. Thomas Jones, a London gentleman, who had belonged to the army then warring with the Sepoys. Up to the last revolution it was owned by J. J. Palmer, when it ceased to exist. After the war it was
318
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
resuscitated by Major W. W. Goldsborough, of the confederate army, Maryland line, and is now published by the firm of Hunter & Hollis. John Heiskell was twice married. His first wife was Ann Sowers, whom he married June 17, 1802, by whom he had four chil- dren: Henry, Sydney, Otho and Robert. His second wife was Sarah White, their marriage took place March 16, 1824. The births, mar- riages and deaths of the children are recorded as follows: Henry Lee Heiskell, born March 16, 1803, married Margaret L. Baldwin (Mar- garet Sowers), November. 12, 1833. Henry married for his second wife, Elizabeth Gouvenier, of Washington, D. C. (the granddaughter of President Monroe, and the mother of Capt. James Monroe Heis- kell, of military fame), the ceremony taking place in June, 1842. He was first assistant surgeon-general in the United States army, and served in Florida during the Seminole war. Sidney Isabella, born May 22, 1806, married Samuel Ott, of Woodstock, Va., May 25, 1825; Otho Williams, born March 1, 1808, married Susan M. Gibson, May 16, 1837, by whom he had one child; Henry Lee Heiskell married a sec- ond time to Matilda Paxton, died September 30, 1885; Robert Patton, born March 25, 1812, died June 9, 1821; Ann Elizabeth, born June 27, 1826; John White, born February 12, 1829, and Amelia Susan Heiskell, born July 24, 1826. Otto W. Heiskell was born in Winches- ter, Va., where he received his education, he came to Wheeling, Va., now West Virginia, in 1824, and entered the employ of Wade Hamp- ton Heiskell as a clerk in his general merchandise store. Subsequently he established a dry goods business and operated it with much success until the breaking out of the war of the rebellion. He enlisted in the First Virginia volunteer infantry, and was made captain. His military career was crowned with bravery and honorable conduct. He was the only member of the family who fought on the side of the Union. Several of his kinsfolk gave their lives and services to the cause of secession. They fought with the same devotion and heroism, and although on the defeated side, never flinched from their duty. Two of his cousins were killed at the battle of Cedar Mountain while bravely fighting for all that they loved best. After the war Mr. Heis- kell returned to Wheeling, and spent the remainder of his days in retirement from active business life. His death was a public calamity, and the loving memory of his life and deeds, his quiet, gentle charity and Christian spirit are the best monument which could possibly be erected to his memory. A true, honorable gentleman, a staunch friend, a sincere Christian and a brave soldier, is the epitaph which is written on the hearts of all who knew and loved him. His widow and seven children still survive him, they are: Otho, Annie, who mar- ried Augustus Burke, their two children are: Matilda Heiskell Burke and William Paxton Burke, the latter now connected with the bank of the Ohio valley; William P., Matilda H., second daughter, married Henry M. Russell, a prominent lawyer of Wheeling; Eliza Paxton Heiskell, who married Judge J. R. Paull, mentioned elsewhere; Syd- ney and Daniel L.
-
Charles F. Held, a well-known manufacturer and dealer in cigars,
.
Eng -vy PG Kerim& CONY
Christian Hofs
319
OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
of Wheeling, was born in that city August 7, 1858. He is the son of Frederick Held, who was born in Germany and emigrated to America when a young man, and soon after coming to this country made his home at Wheeling, where he married Susan Walters, who was also a native of Germany. Frederick Held died when his son, the subject of this mention, was only ten weeks old, but the mother is still living. Charles F. was reared at Wheeling, his native city, and educated in the public schools. When between thirteen and fourteen years of age he began to learn the cigar maker's trade, and advanced in his trade until in 1886 he engaged in the manufacture independently. He is now doing a good business at 1129 Market street, and the product of his factory is in popular demand. Mr. Held is a member of the Black Prince lodge, No. 19, K. of P., and of Nelson lodge, No. 30, F. & A. M.
Frank Heller, a leading cigar manufacturer of South Wheeling, was born at Benwood, Marshall county, March 15, 1856. He is a son of J. M. and Catherine (Kirchner) Heller, who were born in Bavaria, and there married before their immigration to America, which occurred in 1852. On reaching the shores of the new world they proceeded at once to Wheeling, settling first in the northern part of the city. Sub- sequently they removed to the German settlement in Marshall county, and from there removed to Benwood. At the close of the war they returned to Wheeling, where for many years the father was engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. He died in 1876, and his wife's decease followed in 1885. They were both worthy members of the St. Mary's Catholic church, and were highly esteemed by the com- munity. Three sons and two daughters were born to them, all of whom are living. Frank Heller was reared in Benwood and Wheel- ing, and received his education in the Catholic schools. At about the age of fourteen he began to work at the business to which he has since devoted himself, and in May, 1884, engaged in the independent manufacture of cigars. At his factory, No. 54, at 3708 Jacobs street, he employs on an average six hands in the manufacture of stogies and tips. Mr. Heller is an enterprising and popular young citizen and takes much interest in politics and public affairs. Being promi- nent as a democrat, he was the nominee of that party, in the spring of 1889, for councilman from the Eighth ward, which is too strongly re- publican for success on his ticket. " He is a member of the St. Mary's Catholic church.
Christian Hess, of Wheeling, is prominent among those German citizens who have for many years contributed toward the advance- ment of the city, and whose careers are an interesting and important part of the history of the community almost from the infancy of the municipality. For over forty years, Mr. Hess, now the head of the extensive merchant tailoring establishment of C. Hess & Sons, has been identified with the business of Wheeling, and his energy and ability, manifested through this long period, have made his life a suc- cess beyond that of the average citizen, and highly deserving of mention in an account of the city. Mr. Hess was born in Germany,
320
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
November 18, 1825, the son of Jacob Hess, a tailor by trade, who came to the United States in 1852, but in the same year died of cholera at Cincinnati. Christian Hess learned the trade of his father, and coming to America in 1845, with little capital, he settled at Cincinnati, where he made his home with a sister, and by working at his trade assiduously and practicing the closest economy, was able to earn a subsistence at the prices then ruling. He had served but a part of his apprenticeship in Europe, and he finished the learning of his trade with Lawrence Warner, of Cincinnati, from whom he re- ceived $85 for a year's work. Coming to Wheeling, where he had friends, Mr. Hess found employment in the tailor shop of Daniel Schambra at $10 a month and his washing and board. He soon de- termined to engage in business for himself, and having saved up $200, he formed a partnership with Christian Hausenhour, which existed until Mr. Hess assumed the entire business in 1850, since when he has conducted the business alone up to the time of the admission of his sons, Adam and Clements. From the modest start which has been mentioned, Mr. Hess has built up a business second to none in the state, in that line, and now ranks among the substantial and in- fluential merchants of Wheeling. He has also from time to time be- come connected with various of the successful business enterprises of Wheeling; was one of the incorporators and a director for many years of the People's bank; was one of the incorporators of the Ger- man Insurance company, and is a stockholder in the Belmont, Ben- wood and Bellaire Nail and Steel works, the Central Glass company, the Ætna Glass house in Bellaire, the Window Glass company, of Wellsburg, the Barnett Coal company, of Chester, Ill., and the First National bank, of Bellaire. Mr. Hess, also, in 1861 purchased a 100- acre tract of land now in the corperation of Martin's Ferry, Ohio, from Eliza Woods, for $10,000, of which he converted twenty-five acres to the culture of grapes, and had Mr. Heinlein build for him a fine large arched wine cellar and press house of stone at a cost of $5,000, to convert his annual crop of grapes into wine, which amounted from 5,000 to 8,000 gallons of pure excellent wine, but not finding it profitable he retired in 1882 and confined himself exclu- sively to the merchant tailoring firm of C. Hess & Sons, 1321 and 1323 Market street. In various social enterprises he has also taken an honorable part. Of St. Alphonsus Catholic church he is an active member, and was formerly a member of its choir, and he has served as vice president of the German benevolent society, organized in 1847. His devotion to business has precluded much attention to poli- tics, but during the great crisis in national affairs he was loyal to the federal government and performed duty for a time in the West Vir- ginia militia under Capt. Vance, subsequently sending forward a substitute at a cost of $310. In 1848 Mr. Hess was united in mar- riage with Agnes Blum, a native of Germany, who came to this country in 1846. She died May 12, 1880, aged forty-nine years and seven months. Of the children of this union, two daughters and four sons survive. In May, 1884, Mr. Hess was married to the widow of Christian Welty, deceased.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.