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 44
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Charles Addison Klieves, an enterprising young business man of Wheeling, is a native of that city, born June 5, 1864. He is the son of William H. Klieves, a well-known contractor, since retired, of the city. When twelve years old, Mr. Klieves accompanied his parents to Tiltonville, Ohio, and at the age of sixteen years he took a position as book-keeper for the Ohio & Pennsylvania Coal company, at York- ville, Ohio, and was engaged in that capacity for a year and a half. Returning to Wheeling at eighteen years old he entered the employ- ment of John H. Diehl, a retail grocer, whom, on March 17, 1887, he succeeded in the proprietorship of the business. He has since de- voted himself energetically to this branch of trade, and is gaining a conspicuous place among the retailers of the city. Socially Mr. Klieves is quite popular, and he is an active member of the National Union and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Jacob Korn, a well-known business man of Wheeling, who has in a comparatively short period attained notable success, was born at Petersbachel, in the Rhine province of Bavaria, February 14, 1854. He is the son of Frank and Katharine (Schahl) Korn, who have
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since 1883 been citizens of the United States and esteemed residents of Wheeling. Mr. Korn was reared in his native land, and on No- vember 4, 1877, was married to Eva Screiber, who was born at Fisch- bach, by Dahn, in the native province of her husband, January 2, 1854. Her parents, John and Eva (Keif) Schreiber, both died in Germany, the mother June 22, 1873, and the father August 4, 1880. In 1881 Mr. and Mrs. Korn came to America, reaching New York July 30, and on the 3d day of August they reached Wheeling, their future home. Mr. Korn was employed for five years in a rolling mill, and by economy gathered together enough capital, some $200, to engage in the grocery and butcher business at No. 332 Main street. His good business qualities won success from the start, and in ISSS he purchased a lot at 315 Main street, and there erected a two-story brick business house in 1889, at a cost of $4,500, which he has since occupied. Mr. Korn is a member of the Grocers' Protective association, and in busi- ness circles occupies a creditable position. He and wife are members of the Catholic church. They have one child, Valentine.
Charles Kraus, a well-known citizen of Wheeling, is prominently connected with the wholesale trade of the city, being the senior mem- ber of the firm of Kraus & Co., wholesale liquor dealers, and also a member of the firm of Kraus Bros. & Baer, leading wholesale and retail clothiers. Mr. Kraus was born in Bavaria, February 18, 1840. He came to the United States and made his home at Wheeling in 1859. Six years later he embarked in the clothing trade on Water street, whence, three years later, he removed his store to Main street. To this business, in 1872, his brother Samuel was admitted, and in 1881 Mr. Kraus retired from active participation in the clothing busi- ness, though he still retains his interest in the establishment. On making this retirement, as stated, he engaged in the wholesale liquor trade, purchasing the establishment of H. Schmulbach & Co. Dur- ing the following year, 1882, he gave his attention wholly to the liq- our trade, Leo Baer having become a member of the house of Kraus Bros. & Baer. His partner in the establishment of the firm of Kraus & Co., was Frederick Hanke, who is still a member of the firm. Mr. Kraus is a member of the Jewish congregation, and in politics is a democrat. He was married in 1865 to Fannie Buckman, of Balti- more, Md., and to whom four children have been born, three of whom survive.
Philip Kuntz, superintendent of the Boggs Run Mining company, of Wheeling, W. Va., was born in Bavaria, Germany, September 3, 1848. He spent his early life working in different places, until his twenty-first year, when he entered the Bavarian army, and served through the Franco-Prussian war, having the good fortune to come through the war without having been wounded or taken prisoner. At the close of the war he was given a furlough which he improved by coming to America, landing in New York city September 14, 1871, and two days later reaching Wheeling. On the 18th of the same month he was married to Maggie Niebergall, who was also born in Bavaria in the same place as her husband, and came to the United
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States in the same vessel. Upon coming to Wheeling Mr. Kuntz went to work for the Boggs Run Mining company, with which com- pany he has since continued. He exhibited such ability and integrity that in 1876 he was made manager, a position he filled most accepta- ably until 1880, when he was promoted to the responsible position of superintendendent, which he has since held. Since 1881 Mr. Kuntz has been a stockholder in the company. Mr. Kuntz is a member of St. Paul's Presbyterian church, and Humboldt lodge, K. of P., and of Concord lodge, I. O. O. F. His first wife died June 26, 1885, leaving three children out of the six that had been born to them. The second marriage took place in 1887, to Charlotte, sister of his first wife. Mr. Kuntz has been very successful since his immigration to this country, and besides his business interest has a large residence near the works, he erected this home in 1886. In politics Mr. Kuntz is a republican, and he is one of the best known men in his locality, having made a name for business enterprise and integrity.
D. C. Kurner, a prominent employing painter of Wheeling, was born in that city, July 10, 1859, the son of David T. and Susannah (Stroebel) Kurner. The father was born in Germany, and the mother in America, of German descent. The former was a baker by trade. He resided in Wheeling for many years, and at the time of his death, in December, 1888, he had been for several years occupied as a paper- hanger. His family included sixteen children, ten of whom survive: Veronica, wife of Philip Knabe; D. Conrad, William, George, Harry, Charles, Joseph, David. Archibald, and Nellie. The mother was a daughter of Conrad Stroebel, a native of Germany, who was one of the pioneers of Wheeling; and was for some time a prominent whole- sale liquor dealer. The subject of this mention was reared in this city, and received his education in the public schools, after which he served an apprenticeship of five years as a painter and grainer. On January 1, 1885, he opened an establishment in this line on his own account at his present location, at 1727 Market street. He gives employment to fifteen or twenty men, carries a large stock of paints, oil and glass, and has built up a large and profitable trade. Mr. Kur- ner is influential and takes an interest in public affairs. He is at present a member of the city council. He was married in 1885, to Barbara, daughter of John and Coridas Ebbert, of Wheeling, and they have two children: Raymond and Carrie.
Carl L. Kurtz, wholesale and retail druggist, of Wheeling, W. Va., is a native of that city, born December 24, 1862. He is a son of Henry and Augusta (Birckenhauser) Kurtz, who were born in Ger- many, but came to Wheeling during the early days of its settlement. The father was well known and respected as a citizen. He kept a hotel on the south side, at the site of the present Reimer hotel. The father died in 1865, leaving six children: Edward; Mollie, wife of Henry Wurtz; Lina, wife of Joseph Breining; Adolph C .; Carl B. and Henry. Carl Kurtz was reared and educated in the city, and began his business life as an apprentice at the drug business, when twelve years of age. He held the position of clerk up to the year
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1886, when he embarked in the wholesale and retail trade on his own account, having thoroughly mastered the business. Since 1879, also, he has been engaged in the manufacture of Brentlinger's sarsaparilla. one of the old and valuable remidies of the country. He is a mem- ber of the West Virginia Pharmaceutical association, and has achieved a creditable place among the responsible druggists of the city. Mr. Kurtz was married November 8, 1887, to Hattie B., daughter of Brad- ford Seaman, of Wheeling.
R. W. Kyle, of the well-known plumbing firm of Kyle & Zeigler, doing business at No. 3326 Jacobs street, Wheeling, was born in the latter city, September 16, 1860, the son of Robert and Mary Ann (Downey) Kyle. Both the parents, who are now deceased, were na- tives of Ireland, and immigrated to the United States, residing first at Philadelphia and then at Pittsburgh, before coming to Wheeling, where the remainder of their lives were passed. R. W. Kyle was reared in his native city and educated in the public schools and at Frasher's Business college. His first occupation at the outset of his business career, was as a glass worker, but he subsequently learned the trade of plumbing and steam pipe fitting. In 1879, he went west and spent three years in Colorado, in the mining regions, prospecting to some extent, and while there he succeeded in locating, with others, what promised to be valuable silver and lead mines, in which he is still interested. Returning to Wheeling in 1882, he resumed work as a plumber, and in April, 1888, he formed a partnership with Fred E. Zeigler, and opened a new establishment, which has met with the sub- stantial approval of the public. Mr. Kyle is a valued citizen. He is a communicant of the Episcopal church.
Daniel Lamb, the oldest and one of the most eminent members of the Wheeling bar, was born in Connellsville, Penn., January 22nd, ISIo. In the month of April, 1823, his parents left Connellsville and took up their residence in Wheeling, W. Va., and he accompanied them to this city. Having acquired a good scholastic training Mr. Lamb chose the law as his vocation in life. He was admitted to · practice in 1837, and soon took a leading position by virtue of his en- ergy and ability. In 1848 he was made the cashier of the old North- western bank, and occupied this responsible position until the institu- tion was disorganized and merged into another concern in 1863. After severing his connection with the bank, Mr. Lamb resumed his chosen profession and has since continued to practice. With advancing years he has gradually relinquished his large practice until at the present writing he is mostly engaged in giving other and younger law- yers the benefit of his extended reading and long experience. His marriage to Maria M. Clark, daughter of John Clark, at that time a prominent farmer of Belmont county, Ohio, was solemnized in 1837. Mr. Lamb has one son and three daughters living. The son is the cashier of the Bank of Wheeling, and is one of the ablest financiers in the Ohio valley. Daniel Lamb was a member of the Virginia con- stitutional convention in 1861, and took a firm and loyal stand for the preservance of the Union. He is a republican and his safe counsels
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have the greatest weight with those in authority. Mr. Lamb is a member of the Society of Friends. A man of high attainments, modest to the last degree, and withal, of the strictest integrity.
John Lantry, born in Kings county, Ireland, about the year 1828, died at Wheeling, April 17, 1882, should be mentioned among the prominent and worthy people of his day. He was reared in his native county, and then coming to America, settled at Wheeling, where he subsequently engaged in the manufacture of lime, which he carried on successfully until about one year before his death, when he opened a general store at No. 4421 Jacob street. He was married at Wheel- ing, January 9, 1853, to Merica A. White, a native of England, who after the death of her husband carried on his mercantile business until she died, December 9, 1885. Both were devout members of the Catholic church. To their union eight children were born: Mary E., Delia A., Kate, William J., Nellie C., Mina J., James F., and John, all of whom are living except Kate and John. Since the death of the mother the business established by their father has been carried on quite successfully, by William J. and James F. Lantry, who do business under the style of Lantry Bros. Both are enterprising and energetic, and their establishment is well patronized. They are members of the Catholic church, and James F. is a member of the Knights of St. George.
John A. Lash, a leading jeweler and a representative of one of the pioneer families of the upper Ohio valley, was born in Bel- mont county, Ohio, in 1841, and is the son of Abraham Lash, also a native of that county, born in 1798, one of the first white children born in the territory now included in that county. Abraham was the son of Jacob Lash, a native of Pennsylvania, and one of the first settlers of this section of the country, having crossed the mountains at an early date, at a time when there were nothing but Indian trails over the mountains and country. He was a contemporary of the Zanes, Mitchells, Caldwells and others of the notable pioneers of the valley, and settled on a farm in Belmont county in 1797, where he resided during the remainder of his life. Abraham Lash, by his wife Nancy Powell, of Welsh descent, had twelve children who grew to maturity. He died at the old Lash homestead in 1869, his wife having passed away in 1847. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. John A. Lash, one of the ten surviving children of Abraham Lash, remained on his father's farm until eleven years old, when he came to Wheeling with the intention of learning the jewelry trade. In 1866 he engaged in business on his own account, opening a jewelry store near the Grant House on Main street. Beginning on a modest scale, he continued to widen his business from year to year, and in 1879 opened his present establishment on the corner of Main and Eleventh streets, which is one of the most popular jewelry houses in the city. Mr. Lash is a member of the Knights of Honor. In 1865 he was married to Julia U. Dungan, of Colerain, Ohio, a grand- daughter of Josiah Fox, an English Quaker, who was the first sec- retary of the navy under Presidents Washington and Adams. He
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was the architect builder of the famous old war ship "Constitution." In later life he retired to a large farm in Belmont county. Mr. and Mrs. Lash have had four children, four of whom are living.
Franz Laupp, one of Wheeling's well-known citizens, and one of the leading florists of the vicinity, was born in Hoboken, N. J., June 30, 1855. He is the son of Herman and Caroline (Conradt) Laupp, both natives of Germany, the father having been born at Tubingen, Wur- temberg, May 6, 1821, and the mother at Breitenbach, Hessen, June 9, IS23. Herman Laupp was educated at the university of Tubingen, and adopted the profession of an architect, engaging in that profes- sion in connection with contracting. In 1848 he came to the United States and located in eastern New York, where he was married. Subsequently, in 1852, he removed to Hoboken, N. J., following his profession in both places. April, 1866, he came to Wheeling, where he carried on his business until stricken by lightning, August 12, of the same year. He was a member of St. John's German Independent Protestant church, and was a man of more than ordinary ability and education. His widow and one son survive. The subject of this sketch came to Wheeling when eleven years of age. He was edu- cated in the public schools of the city, and then took a course in the Wheeling Commercial college. After leaving school he entered the employ of his uncle, Theodore Schreiber, a large grape grower and florist, and traveled for him until 1873, when he took a trip to Europe where he spent a year in Germany acquiring a thorough knowledge of the florist business. Subsequently he spent some time at different periods in New York city, gaining proficiency in horticultural matters and posting himself upon the latest improvements in his line of busi- ness. Upon the death of Mr. Schreiber, March 4, 1888, Mr. Laupp succeeded to the business and has since conducted it in a most suc- cessful manner. His places of business are at No. 173 North Front street, and the other at the corner of North York and New Jersey streets, Island. He makes a specialty of cut flowers, and has the largest trade in the florist's line in the city. Mr. Laupp is a prominent young German citizen, having justly attained to his present prosper- ity through energy and integrity. He is thoroughly competent in his chosen trade and has the confidence of all. He is a member of St. John's Independent Protestant church. Mr. Laupp was married April 19, 1883, to Louisa Weimer, of Wheeling, two children have been born to them: Caroline and Herman.
Joseph Lawson, superintendent and secretary and treasurer of the Wheeling & Belmont Bridge company, was born in the north of Ireland, January 3, 1840. While he was yet an infant, his parents, Robert and Sarah (Gallaher) Lawson, removed with their children to Canada. They resided there for several years, and in 1850 came to Wheeling, and resided here until 1861, when they removed to Jefferson county, Ohio. The father was a farmer by occupation and a worthy citizen. He died in 1881 in his seventy-second year. His widow, who resides at Toronto, Ohio, is now seventy-one years of age. Seven children of the ten born to these parents are living,
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Joseph Lawson being the oldest. In 1850 he came to Wheeling with his parents, and upon their removal to Jefferson county, he remained in Wheeling, which has ever since been his home. Learning the carpenter's trade he worked at the same for several years, and from 1862 to 1865 he was in the service of the United States government, having charge of the carpentry and lumber department at Wheeling. In 1865 Mr. Lawson was offered the superintendency of the Wheel- ing & Belmont Bridge company, and this position, which he then ac- cepted, he has ever since occupied with distinction and honor. In 1872 the company began a reconstruction of the wire suspension bridge, intending to make a radical change in its plan, according to the most approved engineering methods. This was the third recon- struction since the destruction of the bridge, May 17, 1854, and it was effected without any interference with travel or business on the bridge, in a manner highly creditable to the management of the superintend- ent, Mr. Lawson. Mr. Lawson is a member of Virginius lodge, No. 2, I. O. O. F., and of the Encampment and Patriarch Militant orders. In 1864 Mr. Lawson was married to Sallie E., daughter of John Brice, a member of one of the pioneer families of Belmont county, Ohio, and to their union six children have been born, all of whom are living.
George W. Lemmon is one of the principal street-paving contract- ors of Wheeling. He is a son of Robert and Sarah (Watkins) Lem- mon, both natives of Ohio. George W. Lemmon was born April 7, 1851, at Bridgeport, Ohio. In his boyhood he attended the Wheeling city schools. His first work in life was a farm hand, but he was cap- able of more responsible work, and in a short time pushed out after something more congenial to him. Learning the brick-laying, and brick-paving and brick-making trades, he worked at this until 1881, when he entered into the street-paving contracting business. Mr. Lemmon has had some very large and important contracts, among them may be mentioned those of Federal street, in Allegheny, Penn., also at Cleveland, Ohio; Massillon, Ohio, and Memphis, Tenn .; he has also done a large portion of the street-paving in Wheeling, which is so justly noted for its finely paved streets. By in- dustry, honesty and economy, he has gained quite a competency. In 1873, he married Hattie M. Wilkins. Three children were born to them, all of whom are deceased. Mrs. Lemmon died in 1876. Two years later he was again married, Miss P. C. Denniston becoming his wife. They have had six children, only four of them still living. Mrs. Lemmon is a communicant of the Presbyterian church; Mr. Lemmon is a communicant of the Episcopalian church. Mr. Lemmon is a lib- eral democrat, and a member of the following orders: Excelsior lodge, No. 40, 1. O. O. F., also Abrams Encampment, and the Brick- layers' union. George W. Lemmon is a shrewd, conservative, self- made man, and an honor to any community.
Conrad Leonhart, a prominent contractor of Wheeling, was born in Bavaria, March 4, 1835, and four years later was brought by his par- ents, Louis and Catherine (Grosscloss) Leonhart, to America. They
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settled at Wheeling, where the father, who was a miner by occupa- tion, worked in the employ of a firm for some time and subsequently opperated on his account, mining and floating coal to Cincinnati, Louisville, and New Orleans. He died June 30, 1853. Three of his children grew to maturity: Conrad; Kate, wife of Fred Tiers; and Lillie. Conrad began to earn his own subsistence at the age of four- teen years, being thrown on his own resources at that time, and passed through a varied career until the war broke out and offered him an opportunity for advancement. He obtained a position in post quar- termaster's department of the United States army, and was master of transportation of the third division of the Second army corps until 1862, when he was promoted to general superintendent of the depart- ment, with headquarters at Harper's Ferry, and he held this position until 1865. Since the close of the war he has been engaged in busi- ness as a general contractor. In January, 1870, he was elected street commissioner of Wheeling, a position he held to the general satisfaction for seven years in succession. He is well-known as one of the leading contractors and enterprising citizens of Wheeling. In politics he is a republican. Mr. Leonhart has been married twice, first to Lydia, daughter of Francis Romy, July 7, 1864, by which marriage he has two children living, Harry L. and Louis T. His present wife is Nancy, daughter of Andrey Snyder, of this city.
Hermann Lingen, an enterprising and well-known merchant tailor of Wheeling, was born in Germany, September 17, 1827. His trade he learned at Paris, whither he went in 1840. While there in 1848 he took part in the revolution against Louis Phillippi, which resulted in the election of Louis Napoleon as president. In March, of the year of the latter's election, Mr. Lingen went back to Germany, to assist in the revolution of 1849. Warrants were issued for the arrest of eleven of the revolutionists of his district, but he and five others escaped arrest. Subsequently, however, he returned and stood trial, and was liberated. On account of a speech he made to the jury a new warrant was issued for him in 1852, but he received warning of the same and fled to England, and thence came to the United States in the same year. Meanwhile, on January 7, 1850, he had been mar- ried in Prussia, to Anna Catharina Herkenrath, who accompanied him in his departure from his native land. They landed in New York in March, 1852, and remained there until 1865, when he made a visit to Germany, returning to this country in October. About two weeks after reaching New York he was called to Wheeling as cutter for Stein & Co., tailors and clothiers, and after he had been with them a year and a half he opened an establishment of his own. In 1878 he invented and patented a measuring jacket, and in order to devote himself to the manufacture and sale of this he sold out his business in 1881. Not succeeding in his plans, however, he took a position with T. C. Moffett & Co., as cutter, for two years. He then patented an improvement on his jacket. Returning to business in 1885, he has since carried on one of the leading merchant tailoring establishments.
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Mr. Lingen is a member of Bates lodge, F. & A. M., and in religion is a member of the Catholic church.
Charles H. Loeffler, a well-known and influential citizen of Wheel- ing, was born in Clausthal, Hanover, Germany, April 15, 1840, the son of Henry and Henrietta J. (Scherfig) Læfler. With these parents and their six other children: Augusta, Sophia, Johanna, Wilhelmina, Ernest, and William, he started for America in the spring of 1854, and all ar- rived save Augusta, who died on the way. She had been married, but her husband, Carl Bæker, was accidentally killed eleven weeks after their marriage. Their child, Carl, was brought to this country by the grandparents. Cincinnati was the destination of the family, but the mother taking sick all stopped at Wheeling, which became - their permanent home, until after the death of the parents, which oc- curred, that of the father, August 11, 1879, and of the mother, August 17, 1860. Of the children, Sophia married Leopold Renner, now de- ceased, and lives in Cincinnati; Johanna was married to Charles Wes- sel, of Pittsburgh, Penn., Wilhelmina was married to Charles Weiss, of Columbus, Ohio; Ernest served in the Union army, was married in Cincinnati, settled in the Hocking valley, where his wife died, and now resides in Athens county, Ohio; William was married in Ohio and now resides at Barnesville, that state. The grandson, Carl, was adopted by Louis Seabright, of Wheeling, now deceased, and is now known as Carl Seabright. Charles H. Læffler, the subject of this sketch, was first employed at Wheeling, in a pork and beef packing establishment, conducted at the place now occupied by the Central Glass works, and he then worked at the trade of a butcher, with Louis Seabright until the fall of 1858, then a short time with John Bæshar. Going to St. Louis by the rivers, he was there eight months until recalled by the intelligence of the serious illness of his mother. He was subsequently employed at his trade, by Louis Sea- bright, Casper Zœckler, and Louis Orth, until 1862, when on March 31, he was married to Catherine Prager. This lady was a native of Ger- many, the daughter of Louis and Anna Barbara Bayha Prager, the former of whom died when she was but six years old. A year later, she accompanied her mother to America, and they settled at Wheel- ing, where Mrs. Prager died August 22, 1877. Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Læffler opened a meat market on his own account, and he has since been engaged in this business, ranking as one of the lead- ing meat dealers of the city. He is a member of the St. John's German Protestant church, to which his wife also adheres, and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Red Men, the Odd Fellows, subordinate lodge and encampment, and in politics is a republican. He served upon the city council in 1883, by appointment, filling an unexpired term. He and wife have had eleven children: Louisa, Charles, de- ceased; Henry and Amelia, twins; Anna Tillie, John; George, deceased; William, Albert and Nellie, deceased.
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