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 51

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 51

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Andrew Reitz, one of the prominent young men in the manufactur- ing circles of Wheeling, occupies the position of secretary of the Spears Axle company. He was born at Wheeling, Septem- ber 15, 1851, in the residence he now occupies. His father, George Reitz, who was born in Germany, in January, 1803, immi- grated to the United States in 1830. He first located at Buffalo, N. Y.,

Michael Rei

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OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. .

and thence came to Wheeling. For over thirty years he was in the employ of A. J. Sweeney, and the different companies with which that gentleman was associated, and after closing that employment he re- tired from active life. He resided in the city until his death in 1887. He was married at Wheeling to Catherine Weil, a native of Alsace- Lorraine, who came to the United States when eleven years of age. She is still living, and on February 12, 1889, was seventy years of age. Eleven children were born to these parents, of whom nine survive. Andrew Reitz was reared in Wheeling and educated in the city schools until the age of fifteen years, when, on March 4, 1866, he be- gan an apprenticeship as a carpenter, and worked at that trade about six months after completing his apprenticeship. He then learned the. pattern-making trade with A. J. Sweeney, and was so employed until 1875, when he went south with Capt. T. C. Sweeney, and was engaged in steamboating for two seasons. Then, returning to Wheeling, he again entered the works of A. J. Sweeney. In March, 1886, he was appointed, by the Cleveland administration, local inspector of steam vessels for the district of Wheeling, a position he held until March 15, 1888, when he resigned to accept the secretaryship of the Spears Axle company, in which he is a stockholder.

Michael Reilly, a notable citizen of Wheeling, is a son of Phillip Reilly, who was born in county Cavan, Ireland, and in the early part of the present century emigrated to America. The latter first settled at Pittsburgh, where he obtained employment in a merchant tailoring establishment, and thence removed to Steubenville, Ohio, where he went into business for himself. In a few years he accumulated some capital, and then removed to St. Louis, where he built up a large busi- ness and prospered for several years. But there he lost a favorite child by death, and subsequently at the entreaty of his wife he returned to Steubenville, and resumed business there. About 1819 he sent to the old country for his mother, sister and oldest son, who came to Steubenville, and all resided there until 1821, when they removed to Wheeling. There he purchased property on Market street, a few doors north of Eleventh, and erected a residence and store room, in which he opened a grocery and produce store. Subse- quently he was largely engaged in shipping produce to southern mar- kets by flat-boats, and by large and successful operations amassed much profit. He purchased a farm located on the eastern confines of the city, which included that portion known as Manchester, which was platted and named by him. Here he erected a distillery which he managed several years, at the same time conducting a farm. Sub- sequently he purchased a farm at Glenn's Run, in Ohio county, on the line of the Pittsburgh, Wheeling & Kentucky railroad, and there built a residence which is still intact, where he lived until the time of his decease. All his various enterprises prospered and he accumulated a large estate. He was one of the large stockholders in the old North- western bank of Virginia. The only survivors of his children are a daughter, Mrs. E. J. Carney, and one son, Michael Reilly. The latter came to America from his native island at twelve years of age. As he

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grew up he turned his attention first to the trade of merchant tailor, but abandoning this, engaged in the distillery business. In the spring of 1836 he embarked in the grocery business at Wheeling, on Market square, and remained at the same stand until 1857, when he removed to Main street, and engaged exclusively in the wholesale commission, groceryand produce trade. He is the oldest grocer in the city, and one of the oldest of the state. He is also extensively engaged in curing and packing pork, which he carries on at his establishment at Manchester, where he also has a magazine for the storing of powder. Aside from the lines of business named, he has, with notable enter- prise, connected himself with various other undertakings of great im- portance. He is vice president of the Franklin Insurance company, director in the National bank of West Virginia, and director in the Wheeling and Belmont Bridge company, and in the Elm Grove Rail- way company, in the three latter of which corporations he is a particu- larly large stockholder. As a public-spirited and enterprising citizen he has contributed greatly to the improvement of the city, by various buildings, notably that handsome architectural pile known as the "Reilly block." His success in life is due to his exceptionally fine business habits, and by his enterprise and public spirit he has won the respect and admiration of the community, no less than by his up- righness of character, probity and fair dealing. In religion he is, as was his father, a member of the Catholic church, and is an attendant of St. Joseph's cathedral. Mr. Reilly was first married, at this city, De- cember 27, 1837, to Matilda C. Finegan, who died in 1884. By this union he had seven children, of whom six are living: Thomas, George, James, Michael, John, and Helen, wife of A. C. Jamison. Michael is in business in Chicago, and the others reside in Wheeling. One daughter died in childhood. On November 10, 1885, Mr. Reilly was married to Mrs. Virginia F. C. Zane, widow of the late Orloff A. Zane, and daughter of the late Job Stanbury. She is a lady of great personal charms and fine accomplishments, and is a descendant of the Zanes and Clarks, distinguished families in the history of the yalley. Her father's family is also prominent, and her uncle, Henry Stanbury, filled the office of attorney-general in the cabinet of Presi- dent Johnson. Mrs. Reilly is recognized as one of the leaders in Wheeling society.

George Rentsch, a member of the firm of George M. Snook & Co., was born January 29, 1856, in the city of Wheeling, W. Va. His pa- rents were Daniel and Catherine (Felsing) Rentsch, deceased. The subject of this mention passed his early life on Wheeling Island, and attended the Fifth ward public school. Subsequently he entered Frazier's Business college, where he remained for a short time. At the early age of thirteen years Mr. Rentsch began active life as a package boy in the Fisher & Seamon's dry goods house. He gradu- ally, worked his way up until he secured the position of book-keeper for George E. Stifel & Co., a place he held for five years, the last two years of which he and his present partners were members of the firm. After the memorable flood of 1884, Mr. Rentsch and his two associ-

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ates in business left the firm of George E. Stifel & Co., and established the present firm of George M. Snook & Co. Mr. Rentsch possesses admirable business ability and has great talent as a decorator. He was married to Miss Lydia Rittar in March, 1884. She is a daughter of Charles Rittar. Two children have come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rentsch, one son and a daughter.

Anton Reymann, proprietor of the Reymann brewery, the largest establishment of the kind in West Virginia, was born at Gaubickel- heim, near Bingen-on-the-Rhine, Germany, September 15, 1837. In 1853, he came with his parents to the United States, the family land- ing at New Orleans, from which city they came up the Mississippi river to Galena, Ill., where they made their first settlement. Their residence there was of short duration, however, and the prevailing disease of chills and fever soon caused them to seek a home else- where. In the fall of the same year they came to Wheeling and made a permanent location. George Reymann, the father engaged with P. P. Beck, a brewer, and the two purchased the ground where the present brewery stands, and opened a summer garden. Only a few years were spent in this business, Mr. Reymann retiring and Mr. Beck dying. George Reymann was a man of good education and while in the old country was in the employment of the German government as a teacher. In 1862 he returned to Germany and remained one year. His death occurred in 1882, at the age of seventy-five years, but his widow survives, past eighty-five years of age. After coming to Wheeling, Anton Reymann entered the public schools and attended the Fourth ward school until they were closed in the spring of 1854 on account of the small-pox. He then entered the employment of P. P. Beck, and served an apprenticeship of four years in the brewery busi- ness. · He completed his knowledge of the trade at Cincinnati, where he went in 1858 and remained one year, working at different brewer- ies, and then spent two years in different St. Louis breweries. At the outbreak of the war he returned to Wheeling with the intention of enlisting in the army, but upon the solicitation of his friends his en- listment was delayed, and later, Mr. Beck's health failing he took charge of the business of the latter, and was thus prevented from en- listing at all. In 1862, he was married to a daughter of Mr. Beck, and upon the death of that gentleman he formed a partnership with his widow in the brewery, taking charge of the establishment. The business was then of small proportions, the output being about 2,000 barrels per year. Several years later Mrs. Beck retired from the busi- ness, and Mr. Reymann rented the establishment, which was then lo- cated between Market and Main streets. In the latter part of the sixties, when it became necessary to make extensive repairs, Mr. Rey- mann purchased the entire business, and removed the plant to the present site, erecting new buildings, to which more have been added from time to time, until the plant is the largest in the state with a . capacity of over 100,000 barrels per year. In 18So, a stock company was formed for the prosecution of the business by the admission of Henry Hess, as manager; Frederick Happy, foreman; Charles Smith,

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assistant foreman, and August Walter. Mr. Walter retired in 1881, and Herman Grimm took his place as secretary, and at the same time Oscar Burdats became traveling agent. Mr. Reymann is interested in various other enterprises, being a large stockholder in the Wheel- ing & Elm Grove railroad company, president of the Wheeling Park company, president of the State Fair association and vice president. of the German Fire Insurance company, of which he is one of the originators. He was one of the founders of the German bank, and is a stockholder in both the Warrick and North Wheeling Pottery com- panies. Mr. Reymann is a member of Ohio lodge, F. & A. M. In 1880, Mr. Reymann visited Germany, and took his family there in 1885, and again in 1889. His son, Paul O., has been a student at the university at Berlin, since 1888.

Jacob S. Rhodes, born at Middletown, Frederick county, Va., in 1822, died at Wheeling, April 12, 1881, was noted as one of the pio- neer merchants of the latter city. He came to Wheeling about 1838 or 1839, and found employment with his uncle, Jacob Sweeney, one of the earliest dry goods merchants, and subsequently became a member of the firm of Senseny & Rhodes. In 1848 he opened a dry goods establishment of his own on the bridge corner and continued to do business there the remainder of his life. He was very prominent as a dry goods merchant, his establishment being recognized as one of the largest in the city. Progressive, far-sighted, and continually on the alert to aid in the growth of the whole community, he not only achieved success for himself but lent valuable assistance to the welfare of the city. Through his instrumentality several large business blocks were erected that now adorn the city. Though active in this way for the public advancement he never sought political preferment. He was connected with the banking interests of the city, and was one of the organizers and promoters of the First National bank of Wheel- ing, now the Bank of the Ohio Valley, being one of the directors of that institution. The firm of J. S. Rhodes & Co., founded by him, has been in existence for forty years, is one of the most substantial houses of the city, and is a worthy monument of his fame.

Peter M. Rhodes, son of the above, was born at Wheeling, in 1847. He was reared in the city, and there received his education in the pub- lic schools. In about 1860, he began his business career as package boy in his father's establishment, and rose from that to the position of clerk. He continued in that capacity until about 1867, when he was given an interest in the business, and for some time before his father's death, he was manager of the business. He has since that event, conducted the business ably in behalf of the estate, and has maintained the high reputation of the establishment.

Albert L. Rice, a business man of Wheeling, well-known through- out the extensive territory covered by the trade of the wholesale house of A. L. Rice & Co., was born at Tamaqua, Schuykill county, Penn., October 16, 1848. At that place he was reared in the home of his father, L. Rice, who emigrated from Germany in 1835, and was engaged in the lumber business at Tamaqua. In 1865 Mr. Rice se-

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cured a position at Philadelphia as book-keeper for a wholesale mil- linery house, and this was his introduction to mercantile life, as well as to that branch of trade for which he has shown a notable adapta- tion. Going to New York in 1867 he became the book-keeper and manager of a house in the same trade, and in 1872 he made his resi- dence at Wheeling, which has since been his home. Here he first engaged as manager of the house of D. A. Adler & Co., in millinery business, and upon the death of Mr. Adler in November, 1873, Mr. Rice succeeded to the business. In the following year he disposed of that establishment and opened a store at 1126, 1128 and 1130 Main street. Here in the same year was established the firm of A. L. Rice & Co., by the admission of S. M. Rice, whose attention is de- voted to the wholesale business of the house. The latter branch of the business has grown to large proportions, and three men are em- ployed to visit the territory tributary to Wheeling in the states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. The retail trade is also flourishing, and the success of the house as a whole is one of the noteworthy features of the business history of the city. A. L. Rice is prominent in social as well as mercantile circles, and is highly re- garded. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In July, 1875, he was married to Rosalie Klotz, and they have one daughter.

Stephen W. Rice, manager of the Alderson Insurance agency, is the son of John L. and Mary H. (Rogers) Rice. The mother is the daughter of William Rogers, who came to this country from Ireland in the early part of the nineteenth century. He has attained much prominence in the business circles of Baltimore, Md., where for many years he was engaged in the wholesale trimming business. Mr. Rogers is now retired from active life, having reached the advanced age of eighty-four years. Stephen Rice, grandfather of the subject of this biography, came to Wheeling, W. Va., then Virginia, in 1837, from New York. He was prominently identified with the business growth of Wheeling during his life, and is still remembered by the older citizens. Stephen W. Rice was born in Wheeling May 9, 1866. Having graduated from the Linsly institute, he entered the employ of J. C. Alderson, the representative insurance man of the upper Ohio valley, and has since remained with him. When Mr. Rice first be- came connected with the business in ISSI, he filled the lowest position in the office. By dint of unflagging energy, strict integrity and much ability he has risen from office boy to manager of the concern. Almost the entire charge and responsibility of the business rests in his hands. It is seldom that men attain such success in so short a time, and it can only be done by the exercise of every faculty and by the most rigid adherence to the interests of the cause in which one is engaged. Mr. Rice is regarded as one of the most promising young men in the insurance business in the upper Ohio valley, and if liis life be spared it is safe to predict for him a very bright business career.

Fidelius Riester, secretary of the German Fire Insurance company, of Wheeling, was born in the kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany,

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HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.

April 23, 1848. He was reared and educated at his home in that country, and at fifteen years of age went to Russia, where for five years he was connected with the firm of Bellino, Fenderich & Co .- manufacturers and wholesale dealers at Odessa. In 1867 he left Rus, sia and took passage for the United States. Reaching this country he proceeded directly to Zanesville, Ohio, where he had relatives, and took a position in a brewery as book-keeper. Subsequently, dur- ing his residence at Zanesville, Ohio, he became a clerk in a dry goods store. In August, 1871, he came to Wheeling, and became a traveling salesman for the firm of C. Weltey & Brother, now P. Weltey & Co. On September 1, 1874, he took the position of secre- tary of the German Fire Insurance company, which he held until January 1, 1884, after which date, until September 1, 1887, he held the office of secretary of the Jefferson Insurance company. At the latter date he returned to his former position with the German Fire Insur- ance company, which he still holds. In 1878 he took charge of the management of the Opera House, and since then, during the period that he has held the secretaryship of the German Fire Insurance com- pany, he has managed that establishment. Mr. Riester is a member and secretary and treasurer of the Arion society, of Wheeling. He is a popular citizen, a competent official, and is highly esteemed by the community. He was married in 1879, to Mary Welty, daughter of Sebastian Welty, of Wheeling.

Nicodemus Riester, manager of Belmont Iron works, is an old citi- zen of Wheeling, and for many years has witnessed the steady devel- opment of the city's manufacturing and commercial and financial possibilities, in various branches of which he has been an effective worker. Mr. Riester is the son of John George Riester, a native of Wittenberg, Germany. The latter was married at his native place to Cordelia Detling, and in 1832, the family, consisting of parents and three children, emigrated to America, and proceeding at once to Wheeling, were among the first German settlers of the city. The father followed the trade of weaving in his native land, but found no demand for such labor at Wheeling at that time. In 1847, in answer to the last call for volunteers for the Mexican war, he joined a squad who proceeded to Newport barracks, and thence sailed to Mexico, and marched with Gen. Scott to the city of Mexico. He then re- turned to Wheeling, and six months later died from disease contracted in the service. His widow survived until 1885, dying in her eighty- third year. Several children were born to these parents after their arrival in America, and four are now living. Nicodemus Riester was born at Wittenberg, September 15, 1831, but his life at Wheeling be- gan at seven months of age. When about eight years of age he went to work in the old Ensel Glass works, above the Top mill, one of the pioneer glass houses of the city, and was afterward employed in the Sweeney works. He then began a career of fourteen years as a feeder in iron works, being employed first in the Top mill, and then in the Virginia mill, which stood where the B. & O. depot now stands. He came to the Belmont mill in 1852, and in about 1863 he was made

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manager of the Belmont mills, a position he has ever since held, dis- playing in-that capacity administrative ability and business talent of a high order. He was one of the old stockholders of the Belmont mills before the failure in 1879, and was badly crippled financially by that catastrope, losing upwards of $40,000. Mr. Riester was also one of the incorporators of the Spears Axle works, and a director of the company at present, an incorporator and director and is a stockholder now in the Wheeling Electric railroad. He was one of the first stock- holders of the People's National bank, the Citizens' Street railway, and the Nail City Brewing company. He has taken a worthy part in municipal affairs, having served as assistant marshal of the fire de- partment, and in the city council two terms. Mr. Riester was married in 1854 to Mary E. Carney, of Cumberland, Md., and they have had twelve children, six of whom survive. Parents and family are mem- bers of the Catholic church.

John C. Riheldaffer, one of the enterprising young business men of Wheeling, fills with ability the position of secretary and treasurer of the Vance Shoe company, one of the largest concerns of the kind in the west. Mr. Riheldaffer was born at Wheeling in 1857, the son of William Riheldaffer, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Wheel- ing about 1830. The latter was engaged in the furniture business in this city for a time, and during all his life was identified with that line of business. He died in 1883 in his sixty-sixth year. His widow, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Dean, was born in Pennsylvania, and is now residing at St. Paul, Minn., having been married again to F. McCormick. - Mr. John C. Riheldaffer is the only child of the sec- ond marriage of the parents. His home has always been at Wheel- ing, where he was reared. and educated in the public schools. In 1871 he began his business career as a clerk for Laughlin Bros. & Co., wholesale druggists, and was engaged with them during a period of eleven years, retiring in 1882 to enter the house with which he is now associated. He began there as a book-keeper, and there being no incorporation he became one of the partners in 1884. At the time of the incorporation, in 1887, he became secretary and treasurer. He is also a director in the Jefferson Iron works at Steubenville, Ohio. Mr. Riheldaffer was married in 1885, to Laura, daughter of Percival Harden, of Wheeling, and to this union one daughter and one son have been born.

George Ritchie, an old and .well-known resident of Wheeling, was born in county Donegal, Ireland, in February, 1824. His parents were William and Margaret (Campbell) Ritchie, the latter of whom died when their son George was three years old, and the former of whom died in his native county of Donegal after reaching old age. Of their nine children, George Ritchie was the eighth born and he is one of the three survivors. He, in company with his sister, came to America in 1840, and proceeded directly to Wheeling. He had al- ready received a good education, and he also attended a few months of school after reaching Wheeling. He was first employed in a com- mission house, then in a queensware store, then for short periods at

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carpentry and afterward in a flouring establishment, and in a trading boat. For twenty years following he held a position in a wholesale grocery house at Wheeling, and at the end of that period he removed to Fremont county, Iowa, where he remained twelve years, engaged in farming. Returning to Wheeling in 1880 he embarked in the retail grocery business, to which he has since given his attention. His es- tablishment is a popular one, and Mr. Ritchie ranks among the pros- perous business men of the city. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics is a republican. In May, 1858, he was married to Miss A. E. McMillan, who was born in county Derry, Ireland, the daughter of Samuel and Jane (Brown) McMillan. Mrs. Ritchie came to America about three years previous to her marriage.

R. Biddle Roberts, junior member of the firm of Egger, War- rick & Company, large dry goods dealers, was born July 24, 1859, at Pittsburgh, Penn., the son of James and Susan Roberts, both natives of Pittsburgh. In 1868 the parents moved to Wheeling, and it was in this city that Mr. Roberts received his education. When about fifteen years of age he was given a scholarship in the Wheel- ing Business college, and was graduated therefrom after two years of attendance. After leaving school he learned the nailer's trade under the tutelage of his father, and was employed at the Top and River- side mills until the summer of 1887. At this time he embarked in the dry goods business with J. H. Egger and S. B. Warrick. Mr. Roberts married Miss Jeannettie Thiers, by whom he had four children, one son and three daughters.

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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 51

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