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 56
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
448
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
was born at Wheeling September 30, 1838, and William F. Stifel, born at the same place August 12, 1840. They have very successfully con- ducted the business to which they succeeded, and have enlarged the works until the daily capacity is now about 200 pieces. Both are prominent in the affairs of the city, and in manufacturing and financial circles. Louis C. was a member of the state legislature in 1869, and served on the Wheeling school board from 1871 to 1874. He is a director of the Benwood Iron works, the Franklin Insurance company, the Belmont Glass works, the Wheeling Suspension bridge and the Children's Home, and William F. is a director of the Bel- mont Iron works, and president of the German Insurance company. Louis C. was married October 6, 1867, to Elizabeth Stamm, a native of Ohio county, who died August 28, 1882, leaving six children. Will- iam F. was married April 17, 1873, to Emma Schandein, who was born in Philadelphia. They have had three children, of whom two are living.
Among the old and prominent German citizens of Wheeling is Christian Stoehr, who has been a resident of the city since 1850, the year in which he came America. Mr. Stoehr was born in Hesse, Germany, August 2, 1827, the son of Frederick Stoehr, who was born in 1801 and died in 1874. He was a land owner and extensive farmer in Hesse, his native state. His wife was born in 1800, and died in 1848. Their son, Christian, the subject of this sketch, labored on the farm of his parents until 1849, when he started out for himself. The next year found him in America without money or friends, but with a disposition to work and a determination to succeed. On reaching Wheeling he found employment in a brick yard, and also tended mason until the fall of 1850, when he secured a position in the brew- ery of George W. Smith, where he continued to work until 1873. He began in this establishment at $20 per month, boarding himself, and rose through various grades until he commanded a salary of $1oo a month and expenses. In the year last named he retired from his po- sition in the brewery and engaged in the liquor business on Seven- teenth street, at which he is still occupied. Mr. Stoehr is a stockholder in the German Insurance company. He is a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic church.
Albert Stolze, a well-known young grocer of Wheeling, was born at St. Clairsville, Belmont county, Ohio, February 21, 1857, the son of Henry and Dora Stolze, natives of Germany, who were married at St. Clairsville. The father died near that place when Albert was six years of age, and immediately afterward the widow and her chil- dren removed to Wheeling, where she still resides. The children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the oldest, Albert, Henry J., Charles F., and John C., are all residents of Wheeling. Albert Stolze, in youth, worked as a machinist, beginning at the age of fifteen years, and subsequently he was in the express business for ten years. In September, 1889, he opened his present establishment, as the successor of Stolze & Bayha, at 1115 Market street, which ranks among the leading retail grocery houses of the city. He is an energetic and en-
449
OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
terprising business man, and is popular with all. He is a member of the German Lutheran church.
Elijah James Stone, one of the business pioneers of the upper Ohio valley, was born at Enfield, Hampshire county, Mass., November 2, 1819, and died at Wheeling April 23, 1887. At the age of nine years he left the home of his father, Clark Stone, a worthy farmer, and started out in the world with a capital of $3. About the year 1836 he came to the upper Ohio valley and began teaching a country school in Belmont county, Ohio, having prepared himself for that profession by his own efforts. While teaching at Whiskey Run he met, and afterward was married to, Elizabeth C., daughter of Edward Thomas, one of the pioneers of Belmont county. He soon associated himself with his brother-in-law, J. C. Thomas, boating coal down the Ohio river, and subsequently the two gentlemen engaged in the dry goods business at Wheeling. With this business Mr. Stone was connected until his death, and it is now carried on under the old firm name of Stone & Thomas, by his sons, E. L. and W. E. Possessed of remarka- ble business talent and financial ability, Mr. Stone became one of the most successful of the old merchants of Wheeling, and accumulated large property interests. He was the largest real estate holder in the city in his time and erected a considerable number of buildings. He was also a stockholder and director in many enterprises, such as the Exchange bank, Fire and Marine Insurance company, and was di- rector of the bank of the Ohio valley, the Belmont mill, the River- side, Bellaire and Junction mills, and the Commercial bank. Public spirited and liberal in his relations to his fellows, he was frequently elected to positions on the board of county commissioners and the city council. As a member of the Methodist church he was influential and active, was instrumental in building the North Street Methodist Episcopal church, and after removing to the Island aided materially in the building of the Thomson church. His widow, the daughter of Edward and Catherine (Clark) Thomas, survives at the age of sixty- five years. Of the ten children born to their union seven are living.
John L. Stroehlein, prominent among those citizens of Wheeling interested in the development of the insurance business, already grown to large proportions through the skillful management of these gentle- men, now holds the position of secretary of the Jefferson Insurance company. Mr. Stroehlein was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, Oc- tober 29, 1830. In his native land he learned the profession of sur- veyor, passing examination in 1851. Two years later he came to the United States, and after a six weeks' stay at Philadelphia, removed to Wheeling, which then became his permanent home. He first found employment in the iron and wire store of E. C. Dewey, and after a year and a half's engagement there, was employed for five years by Tollent & Delaplain, wholesale dealers. His next engagement was as book-keeper for C. Stobel for a year and a half. In 1861 he entered the wholesale liquor and grocery business on his own account, and was so engaged for ten years. He then embarked in the insurance business, becoming secretary of the German Insurance company. In
29-A.
450
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
1874 he, with other gentlemen, engaged in the manufacture of steel at Martin's Ferry, he accepting the position of secretary of the com- pany. This enterprise proved unsuccessful after an existence of about two years, and in 1875, he entered the German bank of Wheeling as book-keeper. On May 1, 1883, he left that position to become assistant secretary of the Franklin Insurance company. On January 1, 1884, he was elected secretary of the company, and he held that position until August 1, 1887, when he was chosen secretary of the Jefferson Insurance company. With this company and also with the German and Franklin Insurance companies, Mr. Stroehlein is connected as a stockholder, and he is a director of the German bank. He was mar- ried in 1858 to Wilhelmina Knapp, who died in 1866, leaving one child. In 1868 he was married to Louisa Swartz, and to the latter marriage two children have been born. Mr. Stroehlein is a member of the Zion's Lutheran church, and his wife of the Presbyterian church.
Hon. Andrew J. Sweeney, whose intimate connection with the in- dustrial as well as the official history of Wheeling, has made him one of the notable men of the city, was born at Pittsburgh, Penn., Janu- ary 1, 1827, the son of Thomas Sweeney, a native of Ireland, born in 1806. The latter, who is still an honored resident of Wheeling, is the son of a Thomas Sweeney, who was a wealthy stock-grazer of Ireland, and settled in Duchess county, N. Y., and subsequently in 1815, re- moved to Pittsburgh. The junior Thomas Sweeney was apprenticed in that city at the moulder's trade, and in 1830 he came to Wheeling and bought, in partnership with his brothers, C., R. H., and Michael, the establishment of the North Wheeling Manufacturing company. This they carried on until the death of C., in 1833. James E. Mat- thews was afterward associated with the business for a few years, and then Mr. Sweeney conducted it alone until in 1852 he admitted his son, T. C., under the style of T. Sweeney & Co. In 1858 A. J. Sweeney was admitted, and the firm thus formed continued until 1874, when the business was taken up by A. J. Sweeney and his son John M., who carried on an extensive manufacturing business at the old loca- tion until 1880, when they removed the establishment to the Sixth ward. Thomas Sweeney and Michael and R. H. also engaged in the glass business in 1835 at North Wheeling, and their manufactory was famous as having produced the largest piece of cut glass in the world. R. H. died in 1844, and the partnership of the other brothers was dis- solved in 1848 by Michael selling to A. J. Sweeney and Joseph Bell. The firm became T. Sweeney & Son in 1852, and in 1863 the estab- lishment was sold to Michael Sweeney, Joseph Bell and James Mc- Cluney. Michael died in 1875. Thomas Sweeney during his active career was one of the foremost men of the city, and was prominently associated with the glass industry, rolling mills, bridge, etc. He also from 1852 to 1860 served in the upper and lower houses of the Vir- ginia legislature. His first wife, to whom he was married in 1826, was Rosanna Matthews, born in 1809, and died in 1844. They had three sons: Andrew J., Capt. T. C. Sweeney, Robert H. Sweeney, and one
45I
OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
daughter, Mrs. N. F. McNaughton. A second marriage occurred in 1845 to Jane B. McFerran, by whom he had two sons and one daugh- ter. Two of these seven children survive. As has been noted Mr. A. J. Sweeney early became associated with his father in manufactur- ing enterprises, and in 1875 he assumed the entire management of the extensive business, and carried on the production of rolling mill, steamboat and other machinery, and mowers and reapers, wit !. great energy and with notable financial success. He has always taken an active part in municipal improvements, and in 1862 was a projector of the Citizens' Street railway, and was for years director thereof, and was also instrumental in organizing the fire department and fire alarm telegraph system. As mayor of Wheeling he has served the city for a remarkably long period, having been first appointed to fill an unex- pired term in 1855, and subsequently elected in 1861, 1862, 1865, 1867, 1875, serving after the latter election by successive elections until ISSI. In 1863 when several militia regiments were formed.he com- manded them as colonel, and was on duty during the Morgan and the Jones raids. His prominence as a representative citizen of the state was recognized in 1876 by his appointment as a centennial commis- sioner for West Virginia, and he was a member of the national com- missions to the Vienna exposition in 1873, and the Paris exposition of 1878. Mr. Sweeney's fraternity membership is with Ohio lodge, F. & A. M., No. 1, Wheeling commandery, K. T., and Osiris lodge, Mystic Shrine. He was married in 1848, to Mary R. Moore, daughter of John Moore, superintendent of the Wheeling water works for many years. She died March 10, 1860, aged thirty years, leaving four children: John M., Nellie B., Rose N. and A. T. In the fall of 1861 Mr. Sweeney was united to Maria E. Hanna, of Washington, Penn., by whom he has had nine children, six of whom are living: Mary R., Sallie P., Willie H., Frank B., Walter C. and James Edgar.
John M. Sweeney, junior member of the firm of A. J. Sweeney & Co., was born in Wheeling, July 10, 1851. He was reared in Wheeling and attended the ward schools of the city until 1866, and then attended the private school of H. W. Harding, one of Wheeling's noted early teachers. In 1866 he entered Washington and Jefferson college, at Washington, Penn., where he was graduated in 1869. After leaving college Mr. Sweeney entered the foundry and machine shops of Sweeney & Co., and he was manager of that business until 1874, when he became a member of the firm of A. J. Sweeney & Son, which firm was formed at that time. He continues as general manager of the extensive foundry and machine shop operated by the firm. In 1887 Mr. Sweeney organized the Wheeling Electric Street Railway line, which has since been consolidated with the Citizens Street Railroad com- pany, and of this company he is president. At about the same time the Wheeling Electric Light company was organized, and Mr. Sweeney was one of the projectors of the same, and he is also identified with the organization of the Martin's Ferry, Ohio, Electric Light company, also identified with the new bridges over the Ohio river to Wheeling Island and the Back Channel to Ohio. Also interested in the Globe
452
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
Contract company, for the purpose of forming and building electric light and electric railroad plants in West Virginia. In 1875 he was married to Miss Julia Garden, of Wheeling, daughter of A. T. Garden.
Rev. Rodney Rush Swope, D. D., pastor of the St. Matthew's Epis- copal church, of Wheeling, was born at Philadelphia, March 28, 1853. He is the son of Charles S. and Jane E. Swope, and was reared to manhood in his native city, receiving his early education in the pub- lic schools there, and at Cheltenham academy. His classical educa- tion was completed at the university of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in 1871. He then spent three years in the study of law, in the office of George M. Dallas, Esq., of Philadelphia. In the fall of 1874, he entered the Philadelphia divinity school of the Protestant Episcopal church, and completed a full three years' course, graduat- ing in June, 1877. On the 22nd of the same month he was ordained and became assistant minister of Trinity church, Cleveland, on the first of September following. Dr. Swope was called to the rectorship of St. Matthew's church, Wheeling, November 1, 1878, and has ever since occupied that position. During the period of his rectorship, the church has been notably prosperous, becoming the strongest Protes- tant Episcopal church in the state, and freeing itself entirely of a debt of $20,000. Dr. Swope was honored in 1880 and 1886, by being chosen clerical delegate from the diocese of West Virginia to the tri- ennial convention of his church. In June, 1887, the degree of Doc- tor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the university of West Virginia.
James B. Taney, journalist, is a native of New Jersey, born in the city of Newark, in the year 1841. His parents, Hugh and Letitia Taney, came to the Ohio valley in 1850, and became residents of Wheeling two years later. Mr. Taney's educational training was obtained in the public and private schools of Wheeling, and while still a youth he left home and joined the merchant marine, serving from a sailor be- fore the mast to chief officer. At the breaking out of the great re- bellion he joined the United States navy, in which he served with ability until 1868, when becoming tired of the service he resigned his commission and returned to Wheeling. While in the navy Mr. Taney was attached to the Atlantic and Gulf blockading squadrons, also doing duty in convoying the New York and Panama mail steamers through the narrow West India passages. During his period of serv- ice he participated in a number of engagements, including the battles of Beaufort, Port Royal, Newberne, storming of Fort Fisher on both occasions, the capture of Wilmington and other minor actions. At the second bombardment of Fort Fisher he commanded a detach- ment of men from the man-of-war, " Tacony," which formed a part of the naval forces that united with the force of Gen. Terry in the bloody hand to hand assault upon the enemey's works. On leaving the naval service, Mr. Taney entered the field of journalism, which, with the exception of six years as collector of the city of Wheeling, he has since successfully continued. In October, 1884, he purchased
E. WEGH
D.H. Taylor.
453
OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
an interest in the Wheeling Daily Register, the leading democratic paper of West Virginia, which, under his able management, has greatly enlarged its scope of influence, until it now enjoys much more than a state reputation. In 1888 Mr. Taney was chosen delegate-at- large to the national democratic convention at St. Louis, and during the ensuing campaign, did able and distinguished service for his party in West Virginia and elswhere. It was in this campaign that an incident occurred which brought Mr. Taney's name into prominence throughout the country, and which also brought upon him a great deal of vituperation and abuse from the republican press of the United States. Briefly stated, the incident is as follows: In August, 1887, the societies of the G. A. R., of West Virginia, western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, held their encampment at Wheeling, during the pro- gress of which a large banner bearing a well-executed crayon portrait of President Cleveland and the inscription "God bless Our President, Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States," was suspended from the Register office to the opposite side of the street. As is well known, quite a number of G. A. R. posts re- fused to march under the banner, thereby causing intense excitement, the effect of which was to threaten seriously for a time the dismem- berment of the organization in various parts of the country. Mr. Taney has been prominently identified with the business interests of Wheeling for a number of years, and all movements having for their object the public good, find in him a liberal patron and zealous sup- porter. He is essentially a self-made man, and his thorough knowl- edge of men and affairs, gained by a long, practical experience with the world, coupled with his energy and industry, fairly entitle him to a place among the representative citizens of his adopted state. In the year 1872 he was united in marriage with Miss Emily F. Pollack, youngest daughter of the late Thomas Pollack, of Wheeling.
D. H. Taylor, M. D., a leading physician of Wheeling, has been en- gaged in a successful practice in that city since the spring of 1884. He was born in Switzerland county, Ind., January 25, 1848, a son of W. P. Taylor, also a native and still a resident of that county. Dr. Taylor obtained his early education at the public schools and Moors- field academy, and in 1874 embarked upon the study of medicine, which he had chosen as his profession, after being engaged for several years in the vocation of teacher. In 1876 he entered the Miama Medical college, of Cincinnati, where he was graduated in the spring of 1878. Shortly afterward he engaged in the practice at McClears, Noble county, Ohio, and remained there until 1881, when he removed to Summerfield, in the same county. He was engaged in the practice there until his removal to Wheeling, in the spring of 1884. Dr. Tay- lor is skillful in his profession, and popular in his social relations. He is a member of the Masonic order, with which he has been affili- ated for twenty-one years, and is a member of the Knights of the the Golden Eagle, the Shield of Honor, and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Dr. Taylor was first married in May,
454
HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY.
1879, to Ella A. Porter, of Indiana, who died seven months later. In January, 1883, he was married to Maggie A. Muldoon, of Wheeling. George R. Taylor, a prominent dry goods merchant of Wheeling, was born in 1824, in the western part of Maryland. He first engaged in the dry goods business when about sixteen years of age, with the house of Lowndes & Clary, at Frostburg, Md., and remained with that firm for about four years as a clerk. In 1844, he changed his residence to Wheeling, and there three years later, became one of the firm of Mawl & Taylor, dealers in dry goods. This firm continued until 1861, doing a good business, and in the latter year, Mr. Taylor purchased his partner's interest. Since that time there have been some changes of partners, but the business is now and for several years has been in the hands of Mr. Taylor. His taste, and adaptation to the business, close application to the demands of the establishment, long experience and unusual skill and foresight as a buyer, have conjoined to build up the business from year to year, until this is now the largest retail dry goods store in the state. Though a veteran in the trade, Mr. Taylor's prosecution of business is now characterized with as much activity as at any time during his long career. The space occupied by this great establishment, deserves mention, occupying as it does, three floors on Main and one and a half on Market street, and extending entirely through the square from street to street, making a floorage 264 feet deep. Mr. Taylor's business career has been too active to permit him to take part in political affairs or to hold office. He isa faithful member of the First Presbyterian church, and has been, ever since coming to Wheeling. He was married in 1848, to Martha Eckert, of Washington, Penn., and three children have blessed their union.
Frank G. Thalman, one of the successful retail grocers of Wheel- ing, was born at that city, July 26, 1858. His parents were both natives of Westphalia, Prussia, Andrew Thalman and May Ann Cordes, by name. The former was born September 1I, 1821, and came to America in 1848, and the latter was born, November 23, 1823, and came to America in 1850. They were married at Mckeesport, Penn., in May, 1850, and made their home at Wheeling, where Mr. Thalman had resided since his immigration. Six children were born to them: Joseph (deceased), Mary A. (deceased), Frank G., John A. (de- ceased), Catherine and Mary A. Frank G. was reared at Wheeling, first going to school to Annie George, who taught near the Top mill. Subsequently he attended the St. Alphonsus German school until he was about fourteen, and was then a student in St. Vincent's college one year. After a year's work as a nail feeder at the Top mill, he attended Notre Dame university, at South Bend, Ind., one year, and afterward was a student in Frasher's Business college. He assisted his father in the coal business three years, and was afterward em- ployed in a glass factory, and in the wholesale establishment of Neill & Ellingham. By economy he was able on December 1, 1883, to engage in the retail grocery business, on the corner of Third and Main streets, and is now doing a prosperous business. Mr. Thalman
455
OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA.
was married May 7, 1884, to Mary A. Desmond, who died February 9, 1887, leaving two children, Mary H. and Andrew, the latter now de- ceased. He is a member of the Catholic church, and in politics is a democrat.
J. C. Thomas, a prominent merchant of Wheeling, of the well- known firm of Stone & Thomas, retail dealers in dry goods, was born in Ohio county in 1822. He is a son of Edward Thomas, a native of South Wales, who came to America about the year 1818. He landed in New Brunswick, but after a short residence there came to the United States and settled near Wheeling upon a farm. He engaged somewhat in farming, but was also a flat-boat pilot, and engaging in the coal trade, piloting his own boats to Cincinnati and Louisville. His wife was Catherine Clark, a native of Belmont county, born in 1800 and died in 1871. His death occurred in 1869. On the Belmont county farm of his father, J. C. Thomas was reared, and he remained there until 1847, when he came to Wheeling and engaged in the dry goods trade with E. J. Stone, under the firm name of Stone & Thomas. This veteran firm has since continued in business successfully, and its members are among the most highly esteemed business men of the city. Their many years in business have made them widely known throughout the valley. Mr. Thomas began his enterprise on a limited and modest scale, but his efforts have been so highly rewarded that he is now one of the substantial men of the city.
Thomas F. Thoner, a prominent young citizen of Wheeling, who now occupies the position of city clerk, was born in the Fourth ward, February 25, 1864. He is a son of John Thoner, a native of Germany, who immigrated to the United States in about the year 1850, coming directly to Wheeling. The father was here engaged for several years in the bottling business, and later in the wholesale trade, on the south side. He and wife are both deceased, the wife having died when Thomas F. was a child. The latter was reared in Wheeling and given a good education, beginning in St. Alphonsus German school, continuing in Prof. Burgh's high school, of Wheeling, and completing his studies at St. Francis' college, at Loretta, Penn., where he finished his school days in 1876. Returning to Wheeling he was employed in the Riverside Iron works for about one year and a half, and at the end of that engagement he took a position as clerk in the wholesale liquor house of Henry Schmulbach. He remained with that house until the firm of C. Kraus & Co. came into possession, and then with the latter for about five years. On resigning that position he ac- cepted a similar one with P. Welty & Co. After serving with that firm three years he resigned to take an appointment in the United States postal service. In the following December he resigned the latter office, and in January, 1889, he was elected on the democratic ticket as city clerk, for a term of two years from January 30. Mr. Thoner is deservedly popular as a trustworthy and courteous gentle- man. He is a member of the Knights of St. George, of the Y. M. D. club, and the Arion Singing society.
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.