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 57
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Martin Thornton, one of the leading restauranteurs of West Virginia,
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and proprietor of the Brunswick hotel, the only house in Wheeling conducted on the European plan, was born in Ireland in 1845, the son of John and Mary (Needham) Thornton, both natives of that land. John Thornton brought his family to America in 1850, his wife having died, and settled first at Cynthiana, Ky., where he did an extensive business as a contractor, and subsequently removed to Parkersburgh, W. Va., where he was engaged as a railroad contractor until his death in 1858. Martin Thornton, when twelve years of age, went as pantry boy to the United States hotel, of Parkersburgh, Tom Connelly, pro- prietor, but a few years later he enlisted in the southern army, at Little Rock, Ark., in 1860, and after serving four years, was sur- rendered at Bentonville, N. C., with Claiborne's division of Hardin's corps. He then, in 1865, engaged in the grocery business at Atlanta, Ga., whence in 1868 he went to Louisville, and continued the grocery business until August, 1873. In that year, visiting Wheeling, he learned that there was an opening there for a restaurant where a meal of any sort and value could be ordered, and he at once sold out his Louisville grocery and established a restaurant on a small scale in the Bruce property, south of the McLure House, where his skillful handling of the business created such custom that in seven months he was compelled to seek larger rooms. Removing to 1155 Market street, he did business there successfully for five years, and then re- moved to 1226 Market street. Two years after leaving No. 1155 that property was offered for sale and he purchased it for $11,000, but has never occupied it since. On March 19, 1887, he leased the Brunswick hotel for one year, and in the year after occupying it, purchased the property for $16,000. Mr. Thornton's success in business has been notable. Beginning at Wheeling with a capital of about $600, he has by skillful and judicious handling of his business become one of the leading restauranteurs of the region, and the owner of the largest restaurant and European hotel in West Virginia. During the dark days of his business at this city his tact and business ability enabled him to succeed where others failed, and in the management of the Brunswick Hotel he lias flourished in a house twice previously sold at public auction for want of support. The Brunswick has twelve sleep- ing apartments, and on the first floor the restaurant and office and a spacious dining room, and the building with four stories and a hand- some front is well adapted to the uses to which it is put. Mr. Thorn- ton is a member of the Cathedral church, and is one of the enterprising and liberal men of the community. He has three chil- dren, two sons and a daughter, the latter, Sister Magdalen, being a teacher in St. Joseph's convent. He also has a sister in the convent at Mt. Dchantel, and a brother at Louisville, Ky., where he is superin- tendent of the street railway.
C. Resley Tracy, prominent in the municipal affairs of Wheeling, and manager of the Western Union Telegraph company at that city, is a native of Maryland, born ten miles below Cumberland, in Alle- gheny county, December 15, 1851. His father, Hiram Tracy, also a native of Maryland, was a worthy and estimable man, and for many
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years was the superintendent of the Cumberland and Washington canal. In 1852 he removed to Piedmont, then in Hampshire county, Va., now in Mineral county, W. Va., where he died during Lincoln's ad- ministration, previous to the fall of Richmond, being at the time of his death postmaster of Piedmont. His widow was appointed by President Johnson, and the work of the office was performed by the subject of this mention, who learned to transact the business of the office before his twelfth year. The latter turned his attention to telegraphy at an early age, and began learning the business in his twelfth year. For some time he was in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad company at Cranberry Summit, but on October 24, 1869, he came to Wheeling, and took a position as night operator at the Baltimore & Ohio office. His thorough mastery of the business was recognized in November, 1876, by his appointment as manager of the business of the B. & O. and A. & P. lines, operating the two jointly, with his headquarters at Bailey's ticket office. To his present position as manager of the interests of the Western Union company at this place, he was appointed August 15, 1881. Mr. Tracy has taken an active part in municipal affairs for several years. In 1883 he was elected to the second branch of the council from the Second ward of Wheeling, and was elected to the first branch in 1885. From the first of his service he has acted as a member of the committee of the fire department, and on the organization of the new board in February, 1889, he was made chairman of that committee. Mr. Tracy is a member of Wheeling lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M., and of the Order of Elks, being exalted ruler of the latter organization at Wheeling. He was married October 24, 1876, to Mollie McNaghton, of Wheeling, a granddaughter of the distinguished Thomas Sweeney. They have two children.
William H. Travis, manager of the nail department of the La Belle Iron works, was born at Wheeling, April 20, 1840, the son of James and Lavina (Pipen) Travis. James Travis was born in Massachusetts, and removed to Wheeling soon after 1830. He was a blower of cyl- inder glass, and at the time of his decease, January 11, 1852, was a foreman at the Barnes-Hobbs Glass house. He was a whig and active in politics, and was a member of the Universalist church. His wife, who was born in Clinton county, N. Y., of French-Canadian parentage, died in May, 1884. She was reared a Catholic, but at her decease was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Five of the eight children born to these parents survive. William H. Travis, at eleven years of age, found employment in the glass house, and remained there four years. He then entered the La Belle Iron mills, and gradually progressed through various grades of work until in 1885, he was made manager of the nail works. Since then he has become a stockholder in the establishment. Mr. Travis is a popular citizen, and has taken an active part in politics and municipal affairs. In 1860, he was the organizer of a campaign club known as Company A, Virginia Wide- Awakes, republican, and in 1868, he was lieutenant-colonel of the republican marching clubs of Wheeling, and during the last three
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campaigns he has served as colonel of the same. On May 11, 1861, Mr. Travis enlisted in the Union army, as a corporal of Company B, or the "Iron Guards," First Virginia infantry. He served three months, re-enlisted as lieutenant of Company A, Fourth cavalry, and served eight months. He served two years on the city council, having been elected to the second branch from the democratic ward in which he resides. When the fire and police board was organized he was elected a member of the same, and remained such during the life of the board. Mr. Travis is a member of the Masonic fraternity; of Ohio lodge, F. & A. M., Wheeling commandery, K. T., and Wheeling consistory, Scottish Rite. He is also affiliated with the A. O. U. W., K. of H., and commander of Phil Sheridan post, 86, G. A. R. He was married in 1865, to Emma, daughter of George Cotts, of Wheeling, and they have had three children: Harry, born October 28, 1866, a machinist and engineer at the La Belle Iron works; Maude, born December 14, 1871, died November 17, 1876, and Will- iam Seybold, born April 12, 1886.
William and Frank Tucker, editors and proprietors of the Wheel- ing Graphic, are sons of Thomas and Elizabeth Tucker, who were married at Waynesburgh, Penn., on the 11th day of August, 1840, by Father Golahor, a Catholic priest having in charge a mission embrac- ing parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia. Willian Tucker was born November 8, 1842, in Monongahela county, Va., and Frank Tucker was born March 15, 1859, at New Martinsville, Va., where the family removed in 1846. The only educational advantages ever enjoyed by William were furnished by the New Martinsville private schools, and later by an academy conducted by Robert McEldowney and Bernard Boyers, the school ending because of the withdrawal of Mr. McEldowney to enter the service of the confederate army. In September, 1861, William Tucker enlisted as a private soldier, and served in that capacity until October 29, 1864, several wounds attest- ing his devotion to the cause of his country. On the 26th of May, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah P. Harker, of Wellsburg, in which place he has since resided. The education of Frank Tucker was received at New Martinsville academy, Wellsburg high school and Bethany college. In April, 1885, the brothers bought the Brooke County Local, a weekly newspaper, published in Wellsburg, which they contin- ued until August, 1889, when they began the publication of the Wheel- ing Graphic, which bids fair to become a paper of usefulness and influence in the community. William Tucker, the great-great-grand- father of the subject of our sketch, was born in Great Britain about 1724, and came to the eastern shore of Maryland about 1740, where he remained for some years, going afterward to Delaware, where his son George, the great-grandfather was born about 1760. At the early age of seven, George was taken on a long sea voyage by some rela- tives, and on his return, his parents having died, he made his way west from Delaware to the vicinity of Morgantown. While yet a youth he entered the continental service, serving the last few years as a soldier in the struggle for independence. At the close of the war
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he entered land for himself and cleared a farm for his family's occu- pancy on Wade's Run, in Monongahela county. His death occurred by accident eight miles west of Steubenville, Ohio, in March, 1835, at the advanced age of seventy-five. At the time of his death he was in receipt of a pension from the United States government on account of his service in the continental army. His son, Levi Tucker, was born in Monongahela county, in 1793, and served through the war of 1812 with Capt. Willoughby, of the Second Maryland regiment, and later with Capt. Stead, of Parkersburg, of a Virginia regiment. Levi Tucker participated in the engagements of note in the north, being under the command of both Gen. Harrison and Col., afterward Gen., Winfield Scott. At Fort George he captured a British prisoner with whose razor he always shaved afterward. It is yet in the possession of his descendants. Levi Tucker died on Scott's Run, Monongahela county, in 1850. Thomas Tucker, the eldest son of Levi Tucker, and the father of William and Frank Tucker, removed from Mononga- hela county to Wetzel county in 1846, where he engaged in business, later becoming a surveyor of lands, which occupation he followed for more than forty years, his knowledge of forestry, old lines, land titles, etc., etc., being probably unsurpassed by any person in the state. The parents are both living, enjoying a fair degree of health, and if they live until August, 1890, the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage can be celebrated.
Rev. William Gottlob Ulfert, pastor of St. John's Evangelical Prot- estant church of Wheeling, was born at Landsberg, Brandenberg, Germany, May 18, 1854. His father, who bore the same name, died in Germany in 1888, and the mother, whose maiden name was Ida Wilski, is still living in that land. Rev. Ulfert received his education in a college at Landsberg and at the University of Berlin, graduating at the age of twenty-four. In the university he studied theology, philology and the oriental languages. After being graduated he was engaged as a house teacher on the Island of Rugen one year, and then was a teacher in the college at Landsberg one year. Leaving his na- tive land he came to America in 1880, and for four months after his arrival was assistant minister of a German Independent church at St. Louis, Mo., having in the meantime been ordained as minister on May 22, 1880. In the following August he became pastor of the Ger- man Evangelical Protestant church at Ætna, Penn., and he remained there until November 1, 1884, when he entered upon the discharge of his duties as pastor of his present charge. In this, as in previous po- sitions, he has been faithful in his cause, earnest and effective. He is a prominent member of the Association of the German Evangelical Protestant Ministers of North America, and is treasurer of that or- ganization, and is also affiliated with the A. O.U. W., being master workman of Herman lodge, No. 4. On January 18, 1883, Mr. Ulfert was married to Harie Heinrici, a native of Germany, and daughter of Rev. Charles and Emma Heinrici, with whom she came to America at the age of seven years. Her father was formerly pastor of St. Paul's German Protestant church at Wheeling. Rev. Mr. Uifert and
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wife have two children: Gottlob William Karl, born October 12, 1883, and Martha, born May 24, 1889.
C. F. Ulrich, M. D., one of the leading members of the medical pro- fession of Wheeling, was born in Saxony, Germany, August 28, 1827. With his parents he came to America in 1837, and landed at Balti- more on August 28, his birthday. The family came immediately to Wheeling and settled here permanently. At this city, Dr. Ulrich re- ceived his education in the private schools of the city, until 1841, when he entered the preparatory department of Bethany college. He was graduated from that institution in 1846, with the degree of A. B., and from it, received it in 1850, the additional degree of A. M. After his graduation he engaged in teaching for sixteen years, in public and high schools and colleges, from 1846 to 1862, earning means for the further prosecution of his studies. During five years of that time, he read medicine, and in 1862, he entered the medical department of the university of Louisville. Two years later, he enlisted in the United States volunteers as assistant surgeon of the first regiment of reserve troops, and filled the duties of surgeon, while holding that rank of as- sistant. At the close of the war he engaged in the practice of med- icine at Cloverport, Ky., and remained there until 1870, and at Louisville, until 1875, when he began practice at Wheeling. During the fifteen years that have since elapsed, he has risen to a high rank in his profession and has won in a notable degree, the confidence and esteem of this com- munity. He has filled the offices of treasurer, secretary and president of the Wheeling Medical society, and is a member of the state society, of which he has served one term as vice president. In January, 1887, he was elected to the city council from the First ward, for four years, de- feating by a large majority, the present attorney-general of the state. During his service on the council, he served as president of the board of health. The doctor resigned this office in January, 1889, and on June 5, he left for a four months' tour in Europe, accompanied by his daughter Carrie. They traveled through Germany, Italy and Switzer- land, but were prevented from visiting the Paris exposition by the illness of the doctor at Strausbourg. Dr. Ulrich's children are: J. C., a civil engineer in Colorado, in the employ of the Hartford Accident Insurance company, as superintendent of the irrigating canal system. He was born in Kentucky in 1859, and educated at Bethany college, in mathematics and surveying, graduating in 1881, with first honors. The doctor's daughters are Mrs. R. M. Gilleland, of Wheeling, Car- rie and Claudia. The doctor is a member of the G. A. R., is vice president of the German Pioneer society, and treasurer of the Prov- ident Life Insurance company, of Wheeling.
Israel Updegraff:
Talking of old home scenes, Op den Graeff Teased the low back log, with his shodden staff. - WHITTIER.
Israel Updegraff was born in York, Penn., January, 1781, his father, Joseph Updegraff, married Mary Webb in 1771. She was the daugh- ter of Joseph Webb, who married Edith Way, the 15th of May, 1746
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- their forefathers were Friends or Quakers, who came to this coun- try with William Penn. Israel came to Wheeling with his wife and one child in 1807, and his brother Josiah came with him. They came in wagons and were two weeks coming from York to Wheeling, which was then a small village. Israel bought nineteen acres of land north of the creek and east of Market street bridge. The brick house he built and where he resided for many years, is still standing back of St. John's Lutheran church on Market street. He also built a small stone brewery, probably the first ever built in Wheeling. They did not continue long at that business, but engaged in the dry goods trade. They sent two flat-boats to New Orleans, one contain- ing dry goods and the other produce, the one containing produce was captured by the army. The dry goods were sold, but the young man who had charge of them "fell among thieves" who left him penniless. Israel afterward lost nearly all his property by going security for other people. His first wife was Jane Alexander, of York, Penn. She died in 1812, leaving several small children. He was a member of the Society of Friends, as generations of his ancestors were before him. There was no Friends meeting house for worship in Wheeling at that time, but the members met alternately at each other's houses. The meetings were small, and were composed of the families of Thomas Conard, Josiah Fox, Michael Graham, John King, of New York, Elisha Whitehead, the Updegraffs and others whose names are not remembered. John King's wife was an acceptable minister among them. Israel Updegraff was a man of stern integrity and deep religious convictions. He was opposed to slavery, intemperance, oaths and military service, and his integrity never was questioned. He was city surveyor and street commissioner for many years. At the time of his death a newspaper said of him: "The Society of Friends has lost a valuable member and the world an upright man. He died of pneumonia, March, 1843, and was buried in the East Wheeling cemetery, but his body was afterward removed to the Friends' burying ground at Colerain, Ohio. The grandfather of Israel Updegraff, was Jacob, son of Abraham Op den Graeff, who, with his brothers, Dirck and Herman, were among the thirteen Germans who came over to this country and landed at Philadelphia, October 6, '1683. The company consisted of
thirteen men, who with their wives, children and servants numbered thirty-three, who were nearly all related to each other by marriage. When they arrived they were welcomed by Pastorius, who had pre- ceded them. The Op den Graeffs bought 2,000 acres of land at Germantown and commenced the manufacture of linen. They were famous for the work of their looms. As early as 1688, Abraham pe- titioned the provincial council of Philadelphia "for ye Governor's promise to him that he should make the first and finest piece of linen cloth." That was probably the commencement of the large manu- factories of Germantown. In 1689 William Penn granted them a charter for the incorporation for Germantown, and the first house built for worship was a Friends meeting house. On the 18th of
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April, 1688. Francis Daniel Pastonius, Abraham Op den Graeff and others sent to the Friends' meeting the first public protest ever made on this continent against the holding of slaves. That humble protest gathered force as the years went by, until like "the rushing of mighty waters," it swept away slavery. Abraham was a burgess in 1692; he was also elected a member of the assembly for the years 1689, 1690 and 1692, sharing with Pastonius, who held the same position in 1687, the honor of being the only Germantown settlers who became legislators.
The name of Abraham's father was Isaac, whose father was Her- man Op den Graeff, who was born at Aldekeck, a village near the border of Holland, November, 1585. He moved to Crefeld, and in August, 1605, married Gretchen Pletjes, daughter of Driessen. They had eighteen children. He died December, 1642, and she died January, 1643. Herman Op den Graeff was one of two delegates who repre- sented Crefeld in a church council at Dordrecht in 1632, and adopted a " Confession of Faith." We are indebted to Pennypacker's "His- torical and Biographical Sketches" for much information concerning the Op den Graeffs. The name was gradually changed to Updegraff. Irael Updegraff was married the second time to Mary Ann Du Bois, who was born in Philadelphia, March 4, 1796. Her mother was Juliana Penn Miller, who married John Joseph DuBois in 1794. She died of yellow fever in 1798 and left two children. Dr. Benjamin Rush was her physician. After her death Mary Ann was adopted by an uncle, Josiah Fox, and came with his family to Wheeling in ISII. John Joseph DuBois was a native of France and had no relatives in this country. He sailed as super cargo for Calcutta in 1803. The vessel on which he embarked never was heard of afterward. The maternal grandfather of Mary Ann Updegraff was Peter Miller, who was born in Manheim, Germany. His father fled from the religious wars of that country with four small children and came to America. One of the sons, George, was appointed major in the reign of George II., was with Wolf at Quebec, afterward served as brigadier general in the Revolutionary war, and was in fifteen pitched battles. Peter Miller was a fellow apprentice with the celebrated Benjamin Franklin in the printing business. After serving his apprenticeship he published a weekly paper in Philadelphia for several years. At last being tired of that business he commenced drawing deeds and other instruments of writing. "He was also notary public, and was sworn interpreter of the German language, and was soon appointed one of his majesty's justices of the peace, which office he held for thirty-five years. He was a resident of Philadelphia for fifty-three years. Peter Miller's wife was Elizabeth Richardson, third in descent from Sir John Rich- ardson, who married Lady Elizabeth Aubrey, daughter of Lord Au- brey, of Wales, England. They emigrated to the Island of Jamaica, a great part of which was owned by them. After the earthquake in 1692 they came to America. A large blue china mug, that was saved from the wreck, is still in possession of one of their descendants living near Wheeling. Mary Ann Updegraff was a ready and fluent writer.
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She was clerk of the "Ohio Yearly Meeting of Woman Friends" for more than forty consecutive years. In the spring of 1876, at the re- quest of many of her friends, she wrote her reminiscences, but owing to continued afflictions in the family and her own death, they were never published. Her manuscript gives quite an account of the social life of her early days, with other pleasant and interesting information. She had six children, only two of whom survived her. Two of her sons and two grandchildren died in 1876. She died at Colerain of pneumonia and paralysis October 28, 1876, and is buried at Colerain, Oho. Israel Updegraff had eleven children, of whom only three are living .*
Isreal Updegraff, son of the above, was born in Wheeling. He was educated in the schools of his native city and then began the active affairs of life as a clerk in a clothing store. Remaining in the cloth- ing business for a short time he then became connected with A. J. Pannell in the lumber business, and remained in this business up to the time of his death which occurred in 1876. He was a public spir- ited, charitable man. Although he never sought political preferment yet he was active in the democratic party, and at one time was the treasurer of Ohio county, and also held the office of justice of the peace for several years. Like his distinguished forefathers he was a member of the Society of Friends. His marriage to Miss Lettia E. Ramage, of Belmont county, Ohio, was solemnized in January, 1852. They were the parents of six children, named as follows: Alexander, Mary Ann, Ella L., Laura R., Effie R., and Ida B. Mary became the wife of J. Shriver Woods; she died in 1876. Ella L. married Lewis Steenrod, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Laura R. is the wife of Reed Baird, M. D., and Effie married Archie Adams. Alexander, the oldest child and only son, was educated in Wheeling. After leaving school he clerked in the office of Pannell & Updegraff for some time and then became a clerk in the office of the collecter of water rents and taxes. For six years he was connected with the Belmont Nail company, leaving the last mentioned place to accept the office of city clerk, which position he held for four years. After keeping books for L. S. Delaplain & Company for one year he became the secretary of the city water works board, having been the first to hold this responsible position after the organization of the depart- ment. Subsequently Mr. Updegraff returned to the Belmont Nail company and remained with them for five years. He now holds the office of assistant secretary of the Wheeling Title and Trust company. Mr. Updegraff is considered as one of the brightest young business men in the city. In all the various positions of trust which he has held he has proved himself worthy of the trust reposed in him, and it is not too much to say that if his life be spared he will reap the reward which follows energy and integrity.
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