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 47

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Madison, Wis. : Brant & Fuller
Number of Pages: 842

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 47

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OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.

tative of the Island in the second branch of the city council, having been elected as a republican in 1887, and again in 1889.

Edward Henry Meagel, retail grocer, of Wheeling, was born in Washington county, Ohio, August 24, 1862, the son of Frederick and Elizabeth Meagel, now highly esteemed residents of Marietta, Ohio, who were born in Germany, and were married in Washington county after their immigration. At twelve years of age, Mr. Meagel left home and started out for himself, coming directly to Wheeling, where he found employment in a glass factory, learning the trade of an etcher, which he followed in different factories for nine years, attain- ing a high degree of proficiency in his art of glass etching and decor- ating. Retiring from this pursuit, he was, for two years employed in a wholesale grocery establishment, and at the end of that time he embarked in business as a retail grocer at No. 122 Eighteenth streeth. He opened his store April 1, 1885, with a stock purchased with bor- rowed money, and he has met with such marked success that he now carries a stock valued at $5,000, and has a large and profitable custom. On November 18, 1889, he purchased a vacant lot at No. 130 Eigh- teenth street, upon which he is preparing to build a new three story brick business block, at a cost of about $4,000. Mr. Meagel stands high in business circles, and is a member of the board of trustees of the Grocers' protective association. He and wife are members of the German Lutheran church, and he is a member of the German Benev- olent society and the Knights of Pythias. He was married April 4, 1885, to Augusta Eberling, and they have two children, Elmer Henry and Edward William.

George Mendel, deceased, of Wheeling, lived a life that was a not- able illustration of the success that may be attained in this land by men of industry and talent, though unaided at the outset by capital. or influence. He came to Wheeling a poor boy, with his trade yet to learn, but by the pursuit of a legitimate business career, rose to the rank of one of the most prominent business men of the city, and founded one of the largest establishments in the state. Mr. Mendel was born at Wellsburgh, Brooke county, in 1812. Coming to Wheel- ing when quite young, he learned the trade of cabinet-making, and in 1836 opened an establishment of his own. Subsequently he formed a partnership with Henry Harber, under the style of Mendel & Har- ber, and that firm afterward being dissolved, he admitted his brother, and the firm was known as J. & G. Mendel. At the close of the war, by the admission of Crawford H. Booth and Curran Mendel, the firm became J. & G. Mendel & Co., as which it continued until about 1873, when John Mendel died, and Curran Mendel sold out his interest, and G. Edward Mendel entered the firm, which was then styled G. Men- del, Booth & Co. A large factory was established on Eoff street, which was at the time the largest in the city. The business was in- creased from year to year until at the time of the death of George Mendel, January 29, 1875, an annual business of $100,000 was done. Aside from this business, Mr. Mendel was active in various channels, being president of the Franklin Insurance company, president of the

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HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.

Wheeling Savings institution, director of the Exchange bank, and stockholder and director in various other enterprises in which his ability and capital were interested. In political affairs, however, he took no part as an office holder, though he was an ardent republican. He was married at Wheeling to Sarah Richardson, a native of Wheeling, who is still a resident of the city. To them five sons and three daughters were born, all of whom are living, viz .: Celia G., wife of Crawford Booth, of Texas; . John R., of Pittsburgh; Belle M., of Wheeling; G. Ed., of Wheeling; Mrs. John H. Myers, of Mil- waukee; James V., of Wheeling; Charles L., of Minneapolis, and Harry J., now of Wheeling, but for eight years a resident of Texas. G. Edward Mendel, now the head of the firm founded by his father, was born at Wheeling, April 16, 1849. . After receiving his education at the public schools and Linsly institute, he entered the furniture factory as a workman in 1865. After learning the trade he entered the store as a salesman, and was advanced through various positions until 1873, when he was made a partner in the business. He is also a stockholder in the Union Glass company, of Bellaire, a member of the firm of Elson, Gloss & Co., of Martin's Ferry, a stockholder in the Fire and Marine Insurance company and Franklin Insurance com- pany, director of the State Fair association, of which he was an orig- inal stockholder and projector. Mr. Mendel is a Mason of Bates' lodge, No. 33, and is a member of Wheeling Union chapter, and Wheeling commandery and Wheeling consistory, No. 16. He was married October 9, 1873, to Lizzie, daughter of John Handlan, who died in February, 1875, leaving one daughter. August 15, 1883, he was married to Mary Wheeler, daughter of Grattan H. Wheeler, of Hammondsport, N. Y., and they have one child. After the death of George Booth, the previous firm name was continued until 18So, when Mr. Booth retired and went to Texas, and the business was contin- ued by G. E. Mendel until January, ISSS, when McHugh Sterling and M. Kirchner became associated in the firm of G. Mendel & Co.

Charles J. Menkemeller, a well-known druggist of Wheeling, is a native of the city, born April 16, 1856. His father, Henry Menkemel- ler, who was born at Bielefield, near Berlin, Prussia, was there mar- ried to Mary Bruhn, and in 1854 came with his family to America. He resided for a brief period at New Orleans, but soon came to Wheeling, and being a skillful craftsman, became a nail plate shears- man at the Belmont Nail works, where he has ever since been en- gaged, occupying the position of foreman. His father and brother were both killed in the Franco-Prussian war. He has reared a fam- ily of seven children: Charles J., Harry, George, Henry, William, Mary and Emma. Charles J. Menkemeller was reared in this city, and having a liking for the drug trade, found employment in 1872 in Bocking & Carrol's drug store at the corner of Twenty-fourth and Chapline streets, where he remained a year and a half. He then was engaged for four years with Edmund Bocking, and in the fall of 1874 went to Philadelphia and entered the employment of Dr. Vernon, in his drug store. At the same time he was taking a course of pharmacy

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OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.

in the Philadelphia college of pharmacy, at which he was graduated in 1876. After taking charge of a West Philadelphia drug store for eight months he returned to Wheeling and became a clerk for C. Schenepf for eighteen months. In the summer of 1878 he embarked in business for himself, succeeding Hugh I. Roberts at the Central drug store, and since 1880 he has occupied his present business loca- tion, where he has built an extensive and lucrative trade. He is sec- retary of the West Virginia Pharmaceutical association, and is a mem- ber of the Masonic order. He was married in 1884 to Clara L., daughter of John W. and Kate (DeRolf) Stevens, of Barnesville, Ohio, and has two children, Gertrude and Earl.

John F. Merriman, the popular agent of the Adams Express com- pany, at Wheeling, was born in Southerington, Hartford county, Conn., January 20, 1837, the son of Samuel G. and Jane (Frost) Mer- riman, both natives of Connecticut. The father was the son of John Merriman, a descendant of one of the pilgrim families that settled in Connecticut. John Merriman was a soldier in the war of 1812, and after the war he embarked in business in his native state, and was thus engaged until his death, which occurred about 1840. His two sons were Samuel and Franklin. Samuel, who was born in 1810, re- ceived his early schooling in the common schools of Connecticut and afterward learned the trade of a machinist. He was identified with the invention of the cotton-gin, and several other important in -. ventions. The greater part of his life he held a high position in pub- lic life, having at one time been elected to the state senate. He filled this distinguished position for two terms, and he subsequently filled several minor offices. His two children are John F. and Homer F., the latter a resident of New York city. The father's death occurred in 1883. His wife had passed on before him in 1847. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools and afterward the state normal school, at New Britain. After leaving school he went to New York city and accepted a clerkship with a large importing house, and re- mained with them until 1863. At this time he went to Philadelphia and was there employed as a telegraph operator for two years. He then moved to Pittsburgh, where he was engaged in the newspaper business for one year. In 1867 Mr. Merriman entered the service of the Adams Express company, coming to Wheeling the same year. In 1871 he was made the agent of the Adams Express company, and has since filled that responsible position with great efficiency. He was married in 1875 to Miss Sallie Donlon, daughter of John Donlon, a prominent citizen of Wheeling. John D. is the result of this union. Mrs. Merriman is a member of the Second Presbyterian church, and of various different charitable organizations. Mr. Merriman is a Mason, being a Knight Templar and a Scottish Rite. His political faith is nailed to the democratic standard. He is a stockholder in the Riverside Glass works, of Wellsburgh. Mr. Merriman has been con- nected with the Adams Express company for over twenty-three years, a fact that speaks volumes for his integrity and business ability.

John A. Metcalf, assistant postmaster of Wheeling, W. Va., was

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HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.

born in that city June 18, 1857. He is the son of the late Joseph A. Metcalf, grandson of George Metcalf, and great-grandson of Allan Metcalf, who was born August 22, 1753, and moved from Berkley county, Va., and settled in Ohio county in November, 1783, and died in that county February 7, 1796. He was one of the pioneers of the Pan Handle of West Virginia. His daughter, Priscilla, was mar- ried to Gen. Benj. Biggs, August 27, 1795. George Metcalf, the son of Allan Metcalf, was one of the early settlers of Ohio, being asso- ciated with the Gombars (one of whom he married), who were among the first white people to make a home at Cambridge, Ohio, and built one of the first houses in Guernsey county. He was born April 13, 1783, in Berkley county, Va., and died at Cambridge, Ohio, Octo- ber 5, 1867. He was married three times, first to a cousin of Gen. Winfield Scott, his second wife was Susanne Gombar, who was born December 7, 1792, and died October 22, 1820. His third wife was Sarah Holler, who was born January 17, 1801, and died February 9, 1872. Joseph Allan Metcalf, son of the late George Metcalf, and his wife, Susanne Gombar, was born in Cambridge, Ohio, August 20, 1817. He moved to Wellsburg, Brooke Co., Va., in 1846, and was the founder of the Wellsburg Herald, afterward he was a member of the firm of Metcalf, Miller & Co., manufacturers of glassware. He re- moved to Wheeling in 1855, and engaged in the iron business, as rep- resentative of several Pittsburgh iron manufactories; he established what is now the iron house of W. T. Burt & Co., and until his death was senior partner of the firm of Metcalf & Burt, with branch houses at different times at Indianapolis, Ind., and Cambridge, Ohio. He was one of the organizers, and for several years president of the Wheeling Hinge company, and was interested in various other enter- prises. In politics he was a republican, and being active in local af- fairs, sat in the first branch of council for several years, and was also a member of the board of education. He was at the time of his death and for some years an elder in the First Presbyterian church. He died at his old home farm near Cambridge, Ohio, July 31, 1874, where he had moved with his family in 1872 in the vain hope of recovering his health. His wife was Miss Mary Burt, of Brooke county, Va., who was born July 14, 1820, at Wellsburg, Va., and was married there May 18, 1842. Five children was the result of this marriage. Two of them died, William B., the eldest, died in 1844, and Sally B., the youngest daughter, in 1876. Martha Burt, the eldest daughter, is the wife of J. H. Woodward, of Woodward, Ala., son of the late S. H .. Woodward, one of the founders of the La Belle Iron works, Susanne Gombar, a resident of Wheeling, and Joseph A. Metcalf. The latter attended the public schools and Linsly institute of Wheeling; later he entered Muskingum college, at Concord, Ohio, where he remained about a year until called away by the death of the father. The fam- ily returned to their home in Wheeling in 1876; in 1877 he went to Philadelphia, where he remained some time; returning to Wheeling, he was engaged there till the winter of 1879, when he went to Taylor, Texas, and remained in that vicinity till the fall of 1880. After his

En PtyFGHern w & C" VI

P. Q. Miller

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OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.

return to Wheeling he was engaged as book-keeper at the Center Foundry company, Boyd & Co., and Neill & Ellingham. After a few months in the real estate business as successor of Alexander Bone, he sold out his interests to W. H. Rinehart, and resumed book-keeping with the Riverside Iron works, where he remained until he received his present appointment, June 1, 1889. Mr. Metcalf is a member of Wheeling lodge, No. 9, I. O. O. F., Nelson lodge, F. & A. M., Wheel- ing Union chapter, No. 1, and Alpha lodge, K. of H., and a member of the First Presbyterian church. He was married June 7, 1882, to Mary A. McFadden, daughter of J. D. McFadden, a builder and contractor, now residing at Omaha, Neb.

Jeremiah Alexander Miller, ex-mayor of Wheeling, and promi- nently associated with its business and financial affairs, is a native of the vicinity of Martinsburgh, W. Va. His father was John F. Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania about the year 1812, the son of a Pennsylvania German, a native of Franklin county, Penn. John F. Miller removed to Virginia, and there married Rosanna Ellenberger, daughter of John A. Ellenberger, of the valley of Virginia. The father settled there and followed the vocation of a teacher until his death in 1852. The mother removed to Wheeling in about 1863, and resided there until her death at the age of fifty-one years in 1874. To these parents were born three children, J. A., John M., now living in Springfield, Ohio, and Anna Eliza Bell, who died July 1, 1880. The subject of this mention was born December 9, 1844. He attended school at Martinsburgh, where he was reared. He then found em- ployment as a clerk at that place until his eighteenth year of age, when he removed to Wheeling and obtained a position in a retail grocery store. He then went upon the road as a traveling salesman for James L. Hawley, wholesale dealer. In 1868 he began business for himself in fine groceries and confectionery, and was so engaged until 1883, when he retired from the same, to go into the wholesale boot and shoe business with George E. Boyd. This firm, with the style of Boyd, Miller & Co., succeeded the firm of Boyd & Co., and Mr. Boyd was connected with it until 1885, when he retired from the shoe business. Mr. Miller has taken an active interest in municipal affairs, and in 1878 was elected a member of the board of education, of which he has ever since been a member, and is at present, president. In 1883-4 Mr. Miller served as mayor of the city. He is prominently interested in various enterprises, being president of the Citizens' Rail- way company, president of the West Virginia Printing company, president of ihe Wheeling Ice & Storage company, director of the bank of the Ohio valley, and director of the Peabody Insurance com- pany. He is also considerably interested in real estate. Mr. Miller is a member of the Wheeling lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M .; of Cyrene commandery, No. 7; Albert Pike consistory, of Washington; of Mecca Temple, Mystic Shrine, of New York, and was grand com- mander of West Virginia Knight Templars, in 1888-9. He is also a member of the Wheeling lodge, No. 9, I. O. O. F., and was grand master and grand patriarch, in 1777. During the administration of

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HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.

Gov. J. B. Jackson, 1881 to 1885, Mr. Miller served by appoint- ment as aide-de-camp on the staff of the governor, with the rank of colonel.

John C. Miller, an influential citizen of Wheeling, and one of the leading dry goods merchants of the city, was born in Westphalia, Germany, in September, 1832. In about the year 1846, when about fourteen years of age, Mr. Miller came to the United States, accom- panying an uncle. After remaining a short time at New York, he proceeded to Cumberland, Md., and was there engaged in a brick yard for about one year. His next occupation was on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad as a fireman, and after two years of this employment he was promoted to engineer. He was engaged with the Baltimore & Ohio until 1858, when he accepted a position as engineer on the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad, running an engine on that line about six months. He then came to Wheeling and engaged in the grocery business, in which he was successfully engaged until 1883. At the latter date he turned that business over to his oldest son, Charles R., and thereafter confined himself to the dry goods trade. He now con- ducts a large dry goods store at 2337 Chapline street. Mr. Miller has always been one of the best-known citizens of Wheeling, and has taken an active interest in the public affairs of the city and county. During the war he was a candidate for the city council against Jacob. Snyder, but the gentlemen receiving an equal number of votes, neither qualified. Since then he has represented his ward in the council at various times for at least six terms. During the war he served as overseer of the poor, at the time that was an office elective by the people. For twelve years he was a member of the school board, filling that as well as the other offices with ability. Mr. Miller was married at Wheeling, on September 9, 1856, to Mary Lynch, and nine children have been born to them, eight of whom survive. He and family are members of St. Joseph Catholic church.

John F. Miller, a successful and prominent manufacturer of cigars and Wheeling stogies, at 2151 Market street, Wheeling, was born in Germany, December 31, 1851. He was left an orphan by the death of his father, about two years later, and the widow and two sons then immigrated to America, and came directly to Wheeling. They had been here but a short time, when in 1854, the mother died, and John F. left alone in a strange country, was adopted by Frederick Newman, of Wheeling, with whom he remained until he was eighteen, when he bought his release. During this period of adoption he learned the trade of a baker, but subsequently found employment with his uncle, John Schneider, and learned the craft of a cigar maker. He worked for his uncle six months, then at Parkersburgh a year for his brother, in the cigar trade there, then again for his uncle, and sub- sequently for his brother, who had removed to Wheeling. After four years of this latter employment, he bought out his brother, and has ever since been in business for himself. His first establishment was on the corner of Market and Twenty-second streets, but in 1880, he removed to his present location. Beginning with two hands, his busi-

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ness has increased until he now employs on an average, twenty hands, and the product of his facctory meets with a hearty welcome by the public. His success in life has been his own achievement, and it is a matter of much credit to him that in spite of the adverse circum- stances, narrated in this sketch, he has been able to achieve such sub- stantial success. He is prominent in the affairs of the Fifth ward, and aids in public enterprises but has so far declined official position. He is a stockholder in the West Virginia Tobacco company. In Oc- tober, 1883, Mr. Miller was married to Lena, daughter of Herman Renner, of Wheeling, and they have two daughters: Carrie and Eva.

Peter Miller, who has for a considerable period been engaged suc- cessfully in the retail grocery business in Wheeling, was born in Gesial Hessian by Fulda, Germany, November 1, 1832. His parents, John and Anna Maria Miller, are both deceased, the father having died when his son was a small child, and the mother having passed away in Germany, in 1889, at the age of eighty-eight years. Peter Miller, after engaging in farm work in his native land, embarked in 1852 at Bremen, and after reaching this country, proceeded at once to Wheeling, which has since been his home. Here Mr. Miller was first employed as an apprentice to Christian Hesse, a tailor, and con- tinued with him three years, receiving $io the first year, $20 the second and $40 and a suit of clothes the third. As a journeyman tailor he then worked ten years, quiting his trade on March 1, 1860, to engage in the grocery business. His store at first and for five years, was at the corner of Second and Main streets, and from there in 1865, he removed to the corner of Third and Main streets, occupy- ing a brick business block which he erected at that place. There he still conducts a profitable business. Mr. Miller was married Novem- ber 1, 1857, to Christina Heil, a native of Germany, who came to America in the same year as did her husband. They have nine chil- dren: Lewis J., Christina, Rosa, Mary, Emma, Peter W., Catherine, Loretto and Carl B. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Cath- olic church, and he is associated with the St. Alphonsus society. Po- litically he is a democrat.

Alexander Mitchell, treasurer of the Mutual Savings Bank, and a well-known citizen of Wheeling, was born in Ohio county, W. Va., March 19, 1847. His father was Zachariah S. Mitchell, who was a son of Alexander Mitchell, one of the pioneers of West Virginia. Zach- ariah S. Mitchell was born in Ohio county, W. Va., and for many years was a very prominent man in the community. He married Miss Ann Baird, daughter of George Baird, Esq., a sister of Dr. George Baird. Mr. Mitchell died about 1881, his wife having gone on before in 1853. Alexander Mitchell was reared in Washington, Penn. In 1867 he was graduated from Washington and Jefferson college, and the same year came to Wheeling to study medicine with Dr. George Baird. In about 1868, however, he abandoned his studies and entered McLain Brothers' drug store, and two years later he entered the ser- vice of the B. & O. railroad, in the freight department. In 1876 Mr. Mitchell accepted a position with the National bank of West Virginia,

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serving in the capacity of book-keeper. Subsequently, in 1881, he became the book-keeper of the People's bank, and in 1887 he organ- ized the Mutual Savings bank in connection with W. G. Wilkenson, of the Exchange bank, of this organization he was made treasurer. Until April, 1889, the institution was open for business only during the evening, and Mr. Mitchell filled the positions of treasurer of the Savings bank, and book-keeper and teller of the People's bank also. But at this time he left the People's bank, devoting his whole atten- tion to the Mutual bank, and has since operated this bank, which is the only one of the kind in the state, with great success and benefit to the community. He is also secretary and treasurer of the Title, Insurance and Abstract company, of Wheeling, and vice president of the Wheeling Insurance and Bond association. In 1880 he was mar- ried to Miss Delia G., daughter of Joseph C. Harbour, deceased, a leading citizen of Wheeling during his life. Three children have blessed this union, two sons and one daughter. Mr. Mitchell stands high in the community, both for his abilities as a financier and as a man of strict integrity.

Alexander Mitchell, one of the earliest settlers of Wheeling, was a native of Pennsylvania. He came to the Wheeling region in the times of Indian warfare, and settled upon land six miles northeast of the site of the city. As an Indian scout in the government employ he rendered valuable service. He was a great lover of horses, and had the reputation of owning the fastest horses in the country. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Kelley, the following children were born: Samuel, Isaac, Alexander, Zachariah; Nancy, who mar- ried Zachariah Jacob; and James. The latter only is living. Isaac W. Mitchell, one of these children (born in 1810, died in 1866), was a farmer by occupation, and was also engaged for a time in pork-pack- ing. He was a prosperous man, owned at one time 640 acres of land, and was the largest sheep owner in the county, having at one period 1,800 Merino sheep. Under the old Virginia law he became sheriff by purchase, and held that office in Ohio county for eighteen years successively. His wife was Sallie, daughter of John White, who died in 1848. They had five sons: Alexander, John W., Zachariah J., Andrew W. and Samuel. Alexander removed to Lexington, Mo., and engaged in banking, and died there in 1879. Zachariah is now an attorney-at-law in St. Louis. Andrew was a cotton broker of St. Louis, and died in 1867. Samuel is now clerking in St. Louis. John W. Mitchell, now clerk of the circuit court of Ohio county, was born at Wheeling, December 31, 1838. He received his education at Mt. Olive, N. J., and at an Episcopalian school, near Alexandria, Va., and then selecting the profession of law as his vocation, read law with his uncle, Zachariah Jacob, until the outbreak of the war, when he went south, and joined the confederate army. He enlisted as lieu- tenant in the Twenty-seventh Virginia regiment, of the Stonewall brigade, and after four years' service, was mustered out as major. In 1865 he returned to Wheeling, and was appointed deputy under Sheriff George R. Tingle, with whom he served, and also under

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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 47

Author: Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Madison, Wis. : Brant & Fuller Number of Pages: 842

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Madison, Wis. : Brant & Fuller
Number of Pages: 842