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. II pt 2 > Part 26
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William M. Reed, one of the most successful boot and shoe dealers, and one of the well-known citizens of Bellaire, was born in county Derry, Ireland, in 1835. He is the son of John and Mary Reed, both natives of Ireland. John Reed was an expert engineer. Coming to this country in 1845, he located at Pittsburgh, Penn., remaining there until his death in 1868. His death was caused by a fall while helping to save the property of the company for which he was working. He left seven children, five of them still living. William Reed was edu- cated in the Pittsburgh schools, and then began working in a rolling mill, having worked at the trade of a nailer while so employed. In 1868 he went to Steubenville, Ohio, remaining there four years. While in Steubenville, Mr. Reed bought some stock in the Bellaire Nail works, and soon after coming to Bellaire, he commenced work for that company. Ile married Josephine Krouskope in 1860, having had twelve children by her, nine of the children are still living. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reed are members of the Second Presbyterian church, of Bellaire, he is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the
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K. of P. In 1888 Mr. Reed opened a small boot and shoe store on Gravel Hill, but in 1890 he moved his business to his present location in the business part of Bellaire. For eight years he has been a mem- ber of the city council, and for some time was president of that body. Ile is a republican. Since coming to Bellaire, Mr. Reed has not only made a marked business success, but he has also become very popu- lar with his fellow-citizens, having commanded their respect and esteem by sterling integrity and a strict observance of the laws which should govern the dealings of man and man. He is regarded as one of the substantial men of the city, having given his aid at all times to every public improvement which in his judgment would benefit the community.
One of the leading grocers and politicians of Bellaire, is Jacob Rietz, a native of Germany, having been born in Bavaria, in 1841. His par- ents were Jacob and Margaret Rietz. The father was a farmer and lived in Germany until 18446, when he emigrated to the United States. They took up their abode in Washington county, Ohio, where he pur- chased a farm. For a number of years Jacob, Sr., was engaged in the lumber trade on the Muskingum river, having met with success in his enterprises he is now living a life of retirement, having raised five children who are now living and blessing the parents who gave them life. Jacob Rietz, of Bellaire, is the son of the above named. After obtaining a fair schooling in Washington county, he assisted his father in the lumber business until he was about twenty-five years old, he then spent some years in boating and various other occupations, and in 1875, came to Bellaire, entering the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad company, as a machinist. He remained with them for two years, and in 1877, opened a small grocery store on the lot where he now conducts one of the largest trades in the city. Miss Caroline Schromm, of Lowell, Ohio, became his wife in 1868, and has borne him four children: Albert J., Nora, William H. and Clarence E., all are living but the last named, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Rietz are communicants of the German Reform church, and the former is also a member of the 1. O. O. F.' Always having taken a patriotic interest in politics, Mr. Rietz was placed in the city council by the democratic party in 1SS8, and has conducted himself to his own credit and the benefit of the city. Mr. Rietz has been very successful in business and is one of the substantial men of Bellaire, taking much interest in anything which promises to be of aid to the municipality. He was one of the original stockholders of the Dollar Savings bank of Bellaire.
Albert D. Rodefer, senior member of the firm of Rodefer Brothers. glass manufacturers, of Bellaire, Ohio, was born in the city of Bell- aire in IS41, the son of John and Mary (Horn) Rodefer. John Rode- fer was the son of John Rodefer, Sr., a native of Ohio. In 1796 John Rodefer, Sr., came to Wheeling, W. Va., and engaged in his trade of a blacksmith. Soon after coming to Wheeling he was married to Miss Barbara Bennett, daughter of Capt. John Bennett, the famous Indian scout and trailer. After his marriage he moved on to a farm
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on Wheeling creek, where he was engaged in farming and distilling until about the year 1833. Having purchased a tract of 133 acres of land which now constitutes the very center of the city of Bellaire, he lived there until he disposed of it in 1853, he then moved to what is . now known as Pultney Bottoms, and lived there until his death, which occurred about the year 1858. Ile died at the advanced age of eighty- eight years, and his wife died the following year, having reached her eighty-sixth year. They were the parents of seven children, all of whom are now dead with the exception of two. John Rodefer, Jr., was born June 16, 1810. His early life was passed on a farm in Vir- ginia, where he was also interested in river transportion, making sev- eral trips to New Orleans. In 1833 he came into Ohio, where he died February 7, 1888. His wife was Mary, the daughter of S. L. Horn, who was of a roving spirit, having been born in Maine, he made the, then perilous, trip to Ohio at an early date. He was under Commo- dore Perry in his great battles on the lakes, and finally met his end in Missouri. The marriage ceremony of John Rodefer and Mary Horn was solemnized in 1840, to whom seven children were born, five of these children still survive the mother, who died in 1885. Albert I). Rodefer attended the schools of his native city, finishing his school- ing in the commercial college of Wheeling. When twenty-two years old he went west and entered the employ of the Western Fur com- pany, being occupied in boating on the Missouri river. During the winter months he was engaged in teaming across the prairies for the same company. For some time Mr. Rodefer carried the money for paying the soldiers at the forts along the Missouri river, very often carrying large sums of money through a country where his life would not have been worth a moment's purchase had it been known that he had money on his person. In 1873 he returned to his native state and the following year entered the employ of the National Glass company, as shipping clerk, and remained with them until they sus- pended business in 1876. In the following year in company with his brothers, Thornton A. and John F., Mr. Rodefer purchased the busi- ness, which has since been operated under the name of the National Glass works, he being the general manager of the same. By his mar- riage to Margaret Cochrane, a resident of Belmont county, Mr. Rode- fer had three children, Lillie J., now living in San Francisco, wife of R. Hall; Kate C., and one that died in its infancy. Mrs. Rodefer died in May. 1866. Mr. Rodefer married for his second wife Rebecca McElroy, by whom he has had three children: Lucy 11., Mary M. and Albert E., now dead. Mrs. Rodefer is a member of the Chris- tian church, in which society she is an active worker. Few men have had a more varied experience in life, and few men have held them- selves above the temptations of a business career more successfully than has Albert D. Rodefer. He is one of the most influential and most highly esteemed men of Bellaire. Ile is a democrat, believing firmly in the principles and platform of that organization.
Andrew Roeder, one of Bellaire's most prominent and prosperous citizens, is one of twelve children born to Henry and Louisa ( Loeffert)
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Roeder. The parents were natives of Germany, and came to this country in 1853, bringing their family with them. The father was a farmer in his native land, and when he arrived in the United States, he locared in Baltimore, Md. In 1858, he came to Bellaire, Ohio, and made his home with his children, who resided there, his death occurring in 1863, his wife followed him to the grave in 18So. Andrew Roeder was born in Kreis Schuechtern, Province Hessen, Germany, in 1833, coming to America when sixteen years old. His education was re- ceived in the schools of his native land. Going at once to Baltimore, he there learned the cooper's trade, working at it until 1868. In 1857, Mr. Roeder came to Bellaire and entered the employ of the B. & O. railroad, as a cooper. In 1868, he accepted a position as state police- man on the B. & O. railroad, which he held until 1885. He was then elected justice of the peace, an office that he still holds. Mr. Roeder and son, have also become interested in the insurance business, and now carry on one of the largest agencies in the county. He married Catharine Menges, in 1854. Mrs. Roeder was a native of the city of Baltimore, Md. Eleven children are the fruit of this union: Catharine. Gust, Maggie, Charles and Minnie, are living, the others died in in- fancy. Mr. and Mrs. Roeder are members of the German Reform church, and are very prominent members of the best circles of Bellaire. Mr. Roeder is a Mason. and a member of the U. A. of D. He has always been actively engaged in politics, being very prominently identified with the republican party of Belmont county. He was the first man elected to the office of constable in Pultney township by that party, and has served the public in various offices of trust and respon- sibility for twenty-five years. Mr. Roeder is quite largely interested in the Etna Manufacturing company, and is also a stockholder in the Bellaire Savings bank. A public spirited, progressive man.
Nathan H. Rowles was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1828, the son of AAzariah and Sarah (Ilenderickson) Rowles, both natives of Maryland. Azariah was the son of Hezekiah Rowles, who was also a native of Maryland. The family can easily be traced back to the landing of William Penn, and it is found to have been one of the supporters of that famous man's creed. Hezekiah was the father of three sons, two of whom came to Ohio, one of them settling in Har- rison county, and the other, the father of Nathan, locating in Belmont county. Azariah was born in the year 1792. His early life was passed in Maryland, where he learned the cooper's trade at an early age. He followed his trade the greater part of his life, and was a patriot and a man of much power. He served his country during the war of 1812, and twelve years later came to Ohio, settling in Colerain town- ship, Belmont county. Ilere he died in 1846. His marriage took place in Maryland about the year 1819, and resulted in the birth of nine children, five sons and four daughters. Six of these children still sur- vive. The mother joined her husband in the eternal sleep in the year 1858. Nathan II. Rowles did not obtain a very extended education as he was obliged to begin work when fifteen years old. At this time he began to learn the blacksmith trade, which he has followed almost
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continuously since. Mr. Rowles owned a blacksmith shop in Bellaire from 1854 to 1858, having settled there at the former date. In 1858 he, in company with T. Garrett, established a general merchandise store, which he operated until 1860, when he returned to his trade. November 12, 1850, Mary S. Garrett, sister of Capt. T. Garrett, be- came his wife. A family of five children have grown up about him, and are all still living to call him blessed. Mr. and Mrs. Rowles are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1864 Mr. Rowles answered his country's call and enlisted in Company D), One Hundred and Seventieth Ohio regiment, becoming captain of his company. He fought gallantly in the battles of Snickersford, Win- chester and several others of equal moment. From 1874 to 1876 Capt. Rowles served the city as city marshal, doing effective work; he is a republican. Of such men as this the true free land is composed. The backbone of any country is formed by the men who fill its trades and who till its soil.
John W. Sanders was the pioneer window glass manufacturer of Bellaire. He was born in Waynesburg, Penn., in January, 1839, the son of Malthers M. and Mary (Jackson) Sanders, both of Pennsyl- vania. The father was a tailor, and lived in many places in the Ohio valley, being for a number of years engaged in business in Bellaire. He is now a resident of Grand Island, Neb. Dr. Sanders, of Grand Island, Neb., is the only child who survives out of the six children which were born to him. The wife died in July, 1887. John was the recipient of a common school education. having attended the schools of Jefferson county, Ohio, his parents having moved to that county when he was quite young. At seven- teen years of age he went into business with his uncle, John Jackson, at Clarington, Ohio, where he remained for several years. Ile then began business for himself in company with James Messerly, going into the general merchandise trade. In the fall of 1866 he disposed of his interest in the business, and the following year Mr. Sanders came to Wheeling and entered the dry goods trade with 1}. Brues. In 1872 he moved to Bellaire and, with Stephen Sheets, organized a stock company for the purpose of manufacturing window glass. The concern was known as the Bellaire Window Glass company, of which he was made secretary. Serving in this capacity for some years, he was subsequently elected president, and acted as general manager and president of the company up to the time of his death, which occurred March 28, 1884. While in Wheeling he was united in marriage to M. Alma Surgison, daughter of Dr. J. W. Surgison, who for many years was a prominent dentist in Wheeling. Ile died in 1881. lle was formerly a resident of Westchester, Penn., and came to Wheel- ing in 1865. lle was the father of five children, four of them still living. His wife died in 1866. The marriage of Mr. Sanders took place in 1870, and was blessed by the birth of six children, all of whom survive him. The children are: Edward W., Annie B .. Mary A., James M., John W. and Helen V. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Wheeling.
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and he was a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Sanders was for some time a member of the Bellaire city council, being a repre- sentative of the republican party in that body. A man who star ed almost empty-handed in life, yet one who made a success, and died possessed of a fortune, and what is better, possessed of the hearts of his friends and the respect of the community in which he had lived.
One of the pioneers of Belmont county, and one of its leading benefactors, is Charles W. Satterfield, who was born in Morton county, W. Va. Having acquired a fair education, Mr. Satterfield first be- came a clerk in a general merchandise store, afterward becoming an extensive shipper of produce, his market being in the east. He was for some years an express messenger on the Baltimore & Ohio rail- road. He came to Bellaire, and was engaged on the B. & O. R. R. company's bridge at Bellaire, which was then in the course of con- struction. In his young days Mr. Satterfield learned the carpenter's trade, and since his coming to this city, has followed the contracting and building industry. He was married to Sarah Amos, a native of West Virginia. Four sons and eight daughters, four of them now deceased, are the fruit of this marriage. His three sons, Erastus F., William S. and Joseph M., are now conducting an extensive business in Bellaire, under the firm name of J. M. Satterfield & Co. J. M. Sat- terfield was for a number of years in the employ of the Baron Hard- ware company, and in ISSS, in connection with his brothers, succeeded to the business then carried on by the Ohio firm. William D. was born in 1858. His early life was passed in West Virginia, where, when but twelve years of age, he began to work in an iron mill, sub- sequently having been in the employ of the Bellaire Nail works for over thirteen years. He came to Bellaire in October, 1883, and was taken into the employ of the Spaulding Iron company, at Brilliant, Ohio, being a stockholder and director in the same. Remaining with them until January 30, 1890, Mr. Satterfield at that time returned to Bellaire and gave his full attention to the business in that city. He was married in October, 1888, to Hallie Gloson, of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Satterfield are communicants of the Presbyterian church, of Brilliant, Ohio. He is also a member of the K. of P., and is also a loyal republican.
Peter Sellars was a native of eastern Virginia, where he was born in 1813. in Rockingham county. He was a carpenter. Coming to Wheel- ing in 1838, he worked at his trade there for some time, then opened a repair shop for clock and watches. He moved his business to Bel- laire in 186;, and lived there until his death in 1885. In 183; he mar- ried Nancy E. Colter, a native of Belmont county, Ohio, by whom he had seven children; his wife and four children are still living, the mother having reached the ripe age of seventy-two years. James W. Sellars, son of Peter, one of the oldest photographers of Belmont county, and the subject of this sketch, was born in Wheeling. W. Va .. in 1840, where he attended school for some time, after which he spent some years as pressman in the Gazette office in that city. The paper was then under the management of James A. Bingham. After leaving
39-B.
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the Gazette, Mr. Sellars was for several years an employe in a rolling mill. Spending some years in travel he, in 1860, began to study the art of photography under Charles Griffen, of Wheeling. Mr. Sellars first began business for himself at Wheeling, but soon came to Bel- laire, and has since resided in this city. Maggie E. Giffen became his wife in 1863, and the marriage has resulted in the birth of five children: Laura B., Annie E., Daisy M., James H. and Edith E. Daisy and Edith are deceased. Mrs. Sellars is a native of Belmont county. Both she and her husband are members of the Disciples Church, of Bellaire. Annie E. is now the wife of Louis Battell, sec- retary of the Goblet works, of Finley, Ohio. Mr. Sellars is identi- fied with the republican party, although only as a voter of that ticket, as he has never cared to connect himself actively with politics. He has made a success of his business, being one of the best artists in the Ohio valley, and commands the respect of the people of the com- munity.
John B. Shannafelt is one of the largest railroad contractors in the state of Ohio. His home is at Bellaire, Belmont county, Ohio. Mr. Shannafelt was born near Nugers Town, Md., in the year 1812. His parents were Henry and Sarah Shannafelt, both natives of Germany. The father was a farmer in Germany, and came to this country about the year 1807, locating in Washington county, Md., where he purchased a tract of land, remaining there until his death in 1815. Ile was the father of two children: William F., who became the superintendent of the Cumberland & Mount Savage railroad, meeting his death while in the discharge of his duties overseeing the task of replacing a derailed engine on the track, and John B., the subject of this biography. The mother died in 1817. John was unable to attend school in his boyhood and all the education that he acquired has been gained by dint of hard work and associating with others who have had more advantages in that line. When but a small boy he was employed on the Government Water-Works at Washington, D. C. Ile removed to Elliott's Mills, Md., and began working in taking out granite rock for the road-bed on the Baltimore road, which has since become the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. Ile was employed in running a horse car from Frederick City to Baletown, a distance of sixty-four miles, when locomotives were as yet unknown. He continued in the employ of the Baltimore road until 1852, when he became a railroad contractor. In 1840, he went into the southern states and took large contracts for the building of roads in those states. He has built roads in seventeen different states of the Union. In 1854 he came to Bellaire, at which time he was engaged in building the Central Ohio railroad. Mr. Shannafelt afterward moved his family to Peltsburg in 1857, and began the construction of the C. & P. railway. When the war broke out he enlisted in the First Virginia artillery, serving with them until 1865. Ile was in seventeen hard fought battles, and participated in twenty- six skirmishes. He was severely wounded in the battle of Freeman's Ford while trying to save his captain's life, he was also wounded in the battle of Gettysburg. After the close of the war he returned
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home and resumed his business, and has since continued in it with increasing success. January 15, 1849, he was married to Frances Keller, who was a resident of Frederick City, Md. Nine children have come of this marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Shannafelt are both earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Shannafelt is a republican, and has filled several important offices, and was a member of the equalizing board of the state of Ohio. A man who has made a marked success of his life, both financially and as a citizen of good repute.
David J. Smith, secretary of the Union Window Glass company. of Bellaire, is the son of Hon. David Smith, who was one of the early and leading citizens of Columbus, Ohio, and who was widely and favorably known in his day throughout the state of Ohio as an able editor and a wise jurist. Mr. Smith was born in Columbus, in 1829, and lived in that vicinity during his boyhood days, receiving the education usually gotten in the public schools of Ohio. In early manhood he came to Wheeling. W. Va., which place was his home, with one or two short intervals, till 186 ;. In 1852, he was married to Miss Martha M. Gorrell. Mrs. Smith died in 1877, leaving two chil- dren, Mary E. and William B., both of whom now live in Bellaire. In 1867, Mr. Smith, with others, organized the Bellaire Nail Works company, and located it at Bellaire. On its organization, he was elected secretary of the company, which position he filled for some six or seven years. As this company has grown into one among the very large concerns of the Ohio valley, Mr. Smith feels a pride in the fact that he and his comrades who were in it during its in- fancy and weakness, planted seed that has grown so famously. After leaving the Bellaire Nail works, Mr. Smith engaged in the lumber trade. This he continued for several years, when he formed a co- partnership with Julius Armstrong, under the firm name of Armstrong & Smith; this firm operated a planing-mill, and dealt in lumber, and continued until August, ISSo, when their mill was burned. They then sold out their yard stock and quit the business. In 1883, he, in connection with others, got up the Crystal Window Glass company. On its organization, he was elected secretary, which position he held for a little more than a year. Since that time he has been engaged in the window glass business, at the Enterprise and Union Glass com- pany's works. As will be seen from the foregoing. Mr. Smith has been identified with many of Bellaire's most extensive manufacturing establishments, and has been one who -- as far as his ability per- mitted - has helped to build up Bellaire to the fair position she now occupies. Mr. Smith is an ardent republican, being one of the Soo men in Virginia, who voted for Lincoln in 1860, and he still believes in that grand old party.
One of Bellaire's most prominent attorneys and citizens is Joseph B. Smith. Mr. Smith was born in Columbiana county, March 20. 1826. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Columbiana county. He afterward taught school for some years, the first school that he taught being in Clearfield county, Penn., near the spot where William Penn placed the boundary line of his purchase from the
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Indians. Mr. Smith first began the study of the law in 1849, under Judge Clark, of New Lisbon, Ohio, with whom he remained for two years, he then taught school for one year in Kentucky, after which, in 1851, he was admitted to the bar at Cincinnati. He first began the practice of his profession in Columbiana county, at Hanoverton, where he remained for some six years, he then went to Brown county, Kan., and was elected from the fourth district to the state senate. In the following year he returned to Ohio, coming to Bellaire soon after his return, and began the practice of the law in Belmont county. In the past he has been an active worker in the ranks of the republican party, having run on that ticket for prosecuting attorney. Although still loyal he has retired from aggressive political work. In 1850 Eliza R. Preston became his wife. Mrs. Smith was also a native of Columbiana county. Four children were born to them: Hartwell S., Willie L., Ulysses J. and Ledria M. Mrs. Smith died in July, 1883, and Mr. Smith was again married in ISS4 to Mrs. H. A. Watson, daughter of John H. Heaton, of St. Clairsville, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are active members of the Presbyterian church. Few men make more of a success in the practice of the law than Mr. Smith, his services are in demand in several of the largest cities of the state, and he is looked upon as one of the most eminent lawyers of the Belmont county bar. P. W. and Sarah (Trotter) Smith were the parents of the above. The father was a native of Ireland, and the mother of Pennsylvania. P. W. was the son of Robert Smith. He was the father of ten children, all dead but one. P. W. Smith was three years old when he came to the United States. Ile was edu- cated in Pennsylvania, and afterward went to Columbiana county, Ohio, where he taught school. Robert came to this country in 1,90, locating in Pennsylvania, where he remained until ISie, when he moved to Columbiana county, remaining there until his death in 1854. P. W. Smith spent the last years of his life on a farm. November, 1823, he was married. He was the father of eight children, five of them living. The oldest son is Gen. R. W. Smith, of Chicago. The mother died February 22, 1875, and the father October 12, 1875. His sister, Sarah W., has since died in Iowa, and his brothers, John C. and James T., in California.
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