USA > West Virginia > Men of West Virginia Volume II > Part 9
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descendant, through her maternal an- cestors, of Col. Charles Lewis, who was killed in the battle of Point Pleas- ant, Virginia, October 10, 1774.
In fraternal life, Mr. Menager is prominent as a member of the Masons, Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows and Elks.
HON. SAMUEL GEORGE.
HON. SAMUEL GEORGE, member of the State Senate from the First Senatorial District, one of the prominent political leaders in West Virginia and president of the Wells- burg Banking & Trust Company, was born in Washington County, Pennsyl- vania, May 23, 1827, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah (McCammon) George, both of whom were natives of
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Washington County, Pennsylvania. The George family were early settlers of Western Pennsylvania. In 1832 our subject's parents removed to Brooke County, Virginia, now West Virginia, where Thomas George en- gaged successfully in farming and be- came one of the substantial citizens. He removed to Illinois in 1860 and died there at the age of 86 years. For some time he lived six miles from Bethany, the home of Alexander Campbell, founder of the Campbellite Church. His wife died at Canton, Fulton County, Illinois, at the age of 62. Samuel George was one of a fam- ily of nine children born to our sub- ject's parents ; but two are now living : Samuel ; and James, who resides in Canton, Fulton County, Illinois.
Samuel George enjoyed but limited educational advantages in youth, but the school of experience has since taught him much, while his long life of activity has brought him into con- tact with men and made him acquainted with affairs, thus developing and ripen- ing natural mental faculties. He was reared on his father's farm and his early outlook was the plodding life of a country agriculturist, far removed from industrial and political activities which have so closely environed him for many years. His father being not
very well-to-do, our subject when 17 years old left the farm and worked as a farm laborer for seven years. In the place of the youth who spent seven precious years of his young manhood working on a farm for $2.50 a week, we find the president of one of the larg- est manufacturing concerns of West Virginia, which employs hundreds of skilled workmen, a capitalist in many lines of industrial activity, the president of a strong banking institution, and also the chosen representative of his party in one of the highest official posi- tions in the party's gift. Upon his re- moval from Illinois to Wellsburg, Virginia, now West Virginia, he se- cured a situation as clerk in the grocery of Irwin & Gist. He re- mained in that connection two years, and then, binding himself with James Applegate, he purchased the store of his late employers, the new firm being known as Applegate & George. After seven prosperous years as a member of this firm, the partnership was dissolved and Mr. George engaged in a wool business alone for 20 years. Having acquired large means, he then entered into the banking business as proprietor of the Bank of Wellsburg, which busi- ness was conducted very successfully until a recent date when he organized the Banking & Trust Company of
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Wellsburg, which succeeded to his banking business. This bank has a capital stock of $100,000 and stands very high in the business world.
In 1878 Mr. George engaged in the manufacture of paper, this venture fol- lowing the disposal of his interests in the grocery business. Later, Mr. George purchased his partner's inter- ests, and in 1892 the S. George Com- pany was organized and incorporated with Mr. George as president. The immense plant is located near the Chic River, at Wellsburg, and is devoted to the manufacture of paper sacks of all kinds, being one of the extensive manu- facturing institutions of the city. In 1882 he engaged in the glass business, which is also an incorporated concern, in which he is the controlling factor.
Mr. George has been for many years interested in politics, and as early as 1862 he was elected sheriff of Brooke County, a position he ably filled for four years. In 1900, he was elected by the vote of the Republican party of the First Senatorial District as a mem- ber of the State Senate, to represent the counties of Hancock, Brooke and Ohio. His services in this connection were deemed so valuable that he was elected for a second term in 1902.
In 1857, Mr. George married Eleanor Miller, a native of Wellsburg,
who died two and one-half years later. The two children of this union died in infancy. His second marriage was to Eliza Kimberland, of Wellsburg, and to this union were born nine children, of whom eight still survive. The rec- ord is as follows: Ella, who lives at home; Nira, who married M. L. Wells, of Wellsburg, and has three children ; Bessie, who married J. F. Cree, an at- torney of Wellsburg; Mary, who is the widow of William Bothwell and re- sides in Wellsburg: Stella, who mar- ried Lewis Zimmerman, of Steuben- ville, Ohio; Mattie, who lives at home; Sarah, who also lives at home; Samuel, Jr., who is in the paper mill; and Thomas, who is in the bank. Mrs. George died in 1894. Mr. George was married a third time, in 1895, to Mrs. Lucy F. Mendel (Weil) Jacobs. Mr. and Mrs. George are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Senator George has associated with him in his business enterprises some of the leading capitalists and prominent citizens of his section of the State. His personality is strong and his influence is felt as the guiding spirit in the large undertakings founded by him. At the same time, he is a man of sincerity, simple manners and pleasing personal- ity, one whose word is a guaranty of good faith.
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JOHN G. HOFFMANN, SR.
JOHN G. HOFFMANN, SR., founder of the establishment and presi- dent of the J. G. Hoffmann & Sons Company, which conducts the only tan- ning establishment in Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia, is the founder of the concern. He came from Baden, Germany, in 1844, having learned the trade of a tanner in that country. He landed at Philadelphia, where he re- mained until 1847, and then entered business at Wheeling, as a member of the firm of Berger & Hoffmann. He also had one brother, Frank H., de- ceased, who located at Wheeling, and was foreman in the business for a time. The firm of Berger & Hoffmann con- tinued until 1876, the year which
marked the inception of the firm of J. G. Hoffmann & Sons. The latter ex- isted until 1890, and was then incor- porated as J. G. Hoffmann & Sons Company, with the same officers as at the present time, namely : John G. Hoff- mann, Sr., president ; John G. Hoff- mann, Jr., vice-president; and F. C. Hoffmann, secretary and treasurer. The Gormania tannery of Gormania, West Virginia, which is under the control of this company, is under the direct man- agement of John G. Hoffmann, Jr. The old building at Wheeling, which is- now being replaced by a new one, was built in 1856, and was partly three stor- ies and partly two stories high. The new building which will face on Water street, will be of three stories, will have double the capacity of the old one, and will cover one block. Under capable management, the business of the firm has shown a phenomenal increase, and ranks well up with the best tanneries of the country. It is devoted mainly to the preparation of harness and sole leather, the raw material being secured through the packing establishments of Chicago. The particular brand pro- duced is the well known "Star" oak harness leather. Wheeling with its great railroad facilities is a suitable lo- cation for this great industry. Two traveling representatives are employed
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who cover the territory between Cali- fornia and Maine. About 300 men are employed.
In 1864 John G. Hoffmann, Sr., was a member of a company which purchased the Benwood Mill, then owned by Kelley & Brothers, which company continued until the consolida- tion of the Benwood, Belmont and Top mills. He was a director in the con- solidated company for 28 years, and then resigned. He has also been inter- ested in the Ætna-Standard Mill Com- pany, of which he was one of the pro- moters. He was also one of the pro- moters of the Spears Axle Company, organized July 10, 1888, and is now serving as its president. This plant, in which his son, John G., Jr., is also interested, is located near the tannery and employs a large force of men. Mr. Hoffmann is also identified with several other lines of business. He has been connected with the National Exchange Bank of Wheeling about 49 years, and has been one of its directors for II years. His first location at Wheeling was on Wheeling Island, and there he conducted his tannery and resided un- til 1860, when he built his present resi- dence at No. 2221 Chapline street. The firm of Berger & Hoffmann, which ex- isted until 1876, had a leather store where Stone & Thomas' large depart-
ment store now stands, and also owned two other stores adjacent. Mr. Hoff- mann built one of the first houses erect- ed on the Island, after it had been laid out in lots by Colonel Zane. The great flood of 1852 caused much loss of prop- erty on the Island. J. G. Hoffmann, Sr., is now past the age of 78 years, is hale and hearty, and possessed of the same shrewdness and general business ability which characterized his younger days. He has served very acceptably as a member of the City Council and Water Board of Wheeling, and has been identified with many other pro- jects of vital interest to the city. He is also possessed of heavy banking and iron interests, and is in very comfort- able circumstances in a financial way.
Mr. Hoffmann was united in mar- riage with Catherine Schlalein, who is living at the age of 73 years, and they became parents of five sons and three daughters, as follows: John G., Jr., who has also served in the City Coun- cil of Wheeling; Matilda (Zoeckler), of Deadwood, Dakota; Ella ( Mabis), whose husband is manager of the Des Moines Saddlery & Hardware Com- pany, of Des Moines, Iowa, a branch of the J. G. Hoffmann & Sons Com- pany, which employs 175 hands ; Frank C., secretary and treasurer of J. G. Hoffmann & Sons Company, who mar-
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ried Miss Stamm, a daughter of Henry Stamm, of the Stamm Hotel, of Wheel- ing, has two daughters, Virginia E. and an infant, and resides in the Third Ward; William E., deceased, who was formerly connected with the branch house at Des Moines, and whose widow and son reside at Chicago; Peter G., who is with the branch house at Des Moines; Joseph R., who is with the company at Wheeling ; and Mrs. Rosa Truschel, whose husband is in the wholesale paper business at Wheeling. Mr. Hoffmann is a stanch adherent of the principles of the Republican party. He was formerly a member of se- cret societies, but has not been for the past 30 years. He is a member of the Catholic Church.
CAPT. EDWARD MUHLE- MAN, a prominent citizen and busi- ness man of Wheeling, Ohio County, was born in Monroe County, Ohio, April 6, 1844, and is a son of Fred- erick Muhleman.
Frederick Muhleman was born in Switzerland, and when he came to this country located in Monroe County, Ohio, where he lived upon one farm 51 years. He died in March, 1884, at the age of 72 years. He was a pioneer flatboat man, gathering his crops in the fall and flatboating them to New Or-
leans. He succeeded fairly well, some trips being good ones, while others were losing ventures. He gave that line of business up in 1842. His wife died in February, 1898, at the age of 77 years. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a very devout woman. Her home was the transient quarters for the Methodist circuit riders, and she will long be remembered for her many motherly admonitions and acts of kind- ness. Though dead, her good example and devout Christian character are a legacy to those still on the stage of ac- tion. Eight children were born to Mr and Mrs. Muhleman, as follows: Ed- ward; Robert W., a physician of Bell- aire, Ohio; Charles L., a physician of Parkersburg; Henry, auditor of Mon- roe County, Ohio, for many years, who finally located at Bridgeport as a book- keeper in the glass works, and died there in 1897, at the age of 43 years; Mary, wife of WV. B. O'Neill, of Mari- etta, Ohio; Caroline, wife of A. W. Voegtly, of Gas City, Indiana; Sarah, who was a teacher for some years, and who became the companion of her mother prior to the latter's death, and now resides at Hannibal, Ohio; and Emma, widow of Prof. C. F. Paulus, who was the leading professor in Bald- win University, having charge of the
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German department and some branches in the English department,-Mrs. Paulus now resides in Chicago, Illi- nois.
Edward Muhleman attended Bald- win University from 1859 to 1862, and on July 26th of the latter year enlisted in Company E, 116th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., as a private, and served in the Shenandoah Valley, under Generals Milroy, Schenck, Sigel, Hunter and Sheridan. He was made Ist sergeant, then 2d lieutenant, and at the same time was acting adjutant. From 1864 until the close of the war he was detailed as an acting signal officer in the signal service. He participated in the prin- cipal battles in the Shenandoah Valley, and was never wounded or taken pris- oner. After the war he engaged in steamboating on the Ohio, between Wheeling, Cincinnati, St. Louis and New Orelans. and followed that from 1870 to 1881. He was clerk on the steamers "Major Anderson" and the "Andes," also the "New Andes." From 1881 to 1883 he managed the McLure House, and from the latter date until 1888 managed the Elson Glass Works at Martin's Ferry. From 1889 to 1901 he managed the Crystal Glass Works at Bridgeport, Ohio, and at the present time is organizing a new company to build and operate, at Bel-
laire, the largest glass works in this section. He has a thorough under- standing of the business, and his suc- cess in the new venture is assured.
In 1886 Mr. Muhleman was united in marriage with Juliet McLure, a daughter of the late Captain John and Elizabeth McLure. They have one daughter, Helen. Mr. Muhleman takes much interest in politics, and generally votes the Republican ticket. He is one of the prominent business men of Wheeling, and a most worthy citizen.
RICHARD H. CRAMER, M. D.
RICHARD H. CRAMER, M. D., a physician and surgeon of New Cum- berland, Hancock County, West Vir- ginia, was born in Williamsburg, Blair County, Pennsylvania, September 28,
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1868, and is a son of Eli V. and Mary (Stansbury) Cramer and a grandson of Isaac and Mary ( Hopkins) Cramer.
Dr. Cramer's ancestry has been dis- tinguished for patriotic services in the different wars of this country. His great-grandfather, Isaiah Cramer, fought under Washington with the American forces during the Revolu- tionary war and his grandfather, Isaac Cramer, served in the War of 1812. His father, Eli V. Cramer, served in the Mexican War, as a member of Company H, 7th Pennsylvania In- fantry, taking part under General Scott in the successful siege and cap- ture of the city of Mexico. In the Civil War Eli V. Cramer was a mem- ber of Company C, 148th Reg., Penn- sylvania Vol. Inf.
Our subject's parents were born, reared and married in Lancaster Coun- ty, Pennsylvania. They removed to Blair County in 1864, where Mr. Cra- mer owned and operated the Elizabeth Furnace. He died at Cherry Tree, Pennsylvania, January 30, 1899, aged 78 years. His widow still survives, aged 59 years.
Dr. Cramer is one of a family of II children born to his parents, the sec- ond in order of birth, the others being : Harry O., of Irvona, Pennsylvania ; Jesse, of Crafton, Pennsylvania ; Will-
iam and Victor, of Cherry Tree, Penn- sylvania; Blanche, wife of Andrew Jackson, of Marionville, Pennsylvania ; Walter, of Burgettstown, Pennsyl- vania; Annie, who is living at home at Cherry Tree, Pennsylvania; Zoe, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; and Edwin and Leila, of Cherry Tree, Pennsyl- vania.
Dr. Cramer's parents located at Cherry Tree when he was a lad and in that vicinity he had his first schooling. His brother was the editor of the Bur- gettstown Enterprise and the youth secured employment on that paper and learned the business. He then began the study of medicine, and in 1892 en- tered the University of Pennsylvania where he was graduated in 1895, with the degree of M. D. In May of the same year he located at New Cumber- land and has since been engaged in practice in that vicinity, each year hav- ing a wider and more lucrative field.
On June 2, 1896, Dr. Cramer was married to Ellen McCabe, of Burgetts- town, Pennsylvania, who is a daugh- ter of john and Charlotte (Porter) McCabe, the former of whom is en- gagcd in the grocery business. Dr. Cramer is an elder in the Presbyterian Church and both he and his wife are active members. He is president of the Board of Education of New Cum-
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berland. is a member of the West Vir- ginia State Medical Society, the Miss- issippi Valley Medical Society and the American Medical Association, and of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, Stella Lodge, No. 47. In poli- tics he is a Republican.
WILLIAM BURDETTE MATHEWS.
WILLIAM BURDETTE MATHEWS, clerk of the Su- preme Court of Appeals of West Vir- ginia, a leading member of the bar, and a prominent citizen of Charleston, Kanawha County, was born in Mar- shall County, West Virginia, August 27, 1866, and is a son of C. C. and Esther J. (Scott) Mathews.
WV. B. Mathews received his edu-
cation in the public schools of West Virginia, and at Waynesburg (Penn- sylvania) College, from which he graduated in 1886. He then taught for several terms, and in 1890 entered the law department of the Columbian University, at Washington, D. C., tak- ing both the bachelor's and master's degree in law, and two years later, in 1892. was admitted to the bar. After four years of successful practice in Washington, D. C .. he returned to his native county, and opened a law office at Moundsville, but in 1897 he was ap- pointed chief clerk in the State Audi- tor's office, under Auditor La Follette, and removed to Charleston, the capital of the State. Later he was re-ap- pointed by Auditor Arnold C. Scherr, resigning the position in order to ac- cept that of Assistant Attorney Gen- eral under Attorney General Freer. In 1902, when the vacancy arose, by the resignation of Gen. J. A. Holley, clerk of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, Mr. Mathews was con- sidered the best equipped man for this responsible position and he was im- mediately appointed to fill the vacan- cy. In this position he is making a most creditable record.
He has long been an active and zealous supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and at various
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times has been honored with offices of trust, in all of which he has displayed excellent judgment, and in none more so than as a member of the finance committee. while a councilman from the Fifth Ward, in the Common Coun- cil of the city of Charleston. Mr. Mathews was president of the State League of Republican Clubs when it met at Parkersburg in 1900, and de- livered the opening address at that large and enthusiastic meeting.
On October 25, 1900, Mr. Mat- hews was united in marriage with Elizabeth Blundon, of Charleston, West Virginia, and a daughter, Sarah Esther, was born to this union, on De- cember 29, 1902. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mathews are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He served as a lay delegate to the General Conference of that church, held in May, 1900, at Chicago, Illinois, and was on the program of the Internation- al Epworth League Convention held at San Francisco, California, in 1901. Mr. Mathews has been prominent in Masonry, and is a member of La Fay- ette Lodge, No. 19, A. F. & A. M., of Washington; of Tyrean Chapter, No. 13, R. A. M., of Charleston, and is also past captain of Gen. B. F. Kelly Camp, Sons of Veterans, of Moundsville, West Virginia.
CAPT, WILLIAM SMITH.
CAPT. WILLIAM SMITH is probably the strongest character whose memory has ever been impressed upon the citizens of Mercer County, West Virginia. He was born in Rocking- ham County, Virginia, in 1774, and when a mere lad removed with his fa- ther, Isaac Smith, to what is now Giles County, Virginia. He was descended from a hardy English stock, that had fought under Cromwell, and settled in Virginia shortly after the accession of Charles II.
Capt. William Smith, when young, bore a part, in the Kanawha Valley, in the Indian war then pending. When the county of Giles was formed, in 1806, he was appointed one of its first
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set of magistrates. For 13 years he served as a member of the Virginia General Assembly, representing Giles County. He was largely instrumental in forming the county of Mercer, in 1837, and in 1838 he laid out, on lands belonging to him, the town of Prince- ton, the county seat of Mercer, donat- ing to the public the beautiful public square and town spring, still in use.
From that time Captain Smith made the new town his home, and was a prominent and leading figure in the town's life; there was never a thought of disputing his decisions as a magis- trate. Some of his wise sayings may still be heard throughout the county, many of them being aphorisms full of wisdom. When some of the older res- idents remark that "the law is nothing but common sense," or "an ounce of fear is worth a pound of love, at any time," the stranger may feel sure he is listening to one of the shrewd remarks of this venerated father of the town. After a long, happy and useful life of 84 years, he passed away. In memory of his public services the County Court caused his portrait to be placed in the Court House, an honor never con- ferred on any other citizen of the county. This portrait was unfortu- nately destroyed by fire, when the town was burned in 1862, and we have been
necessitated to use an inferior one. Al- though the world is often forgetful of its heroes, the esteem and respectful re- membrance in which this old pioneer is still held by his fellow citizens does much to prove that sterling traits of character and true worth sometimes erect monuments more valuable than those made of granite and marble.
COL. A S. HUTSON.
COL. A. S. HUTSON, Assistant Adjutant General of the State of West Virginia, and a popular and much es- teemed citizen of Charleston, Kanawha County, was born October 10, 1866, near Cumberland, Maryland, where his father is engaged in agricultural pur-
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suits. He is a son of Henry and Fran- ces (Downey) Hutson, the former of whom was born in Maryland, and the latter in West Virginia.
Colonel Hutson was primarily edu- cated in the local schools of his native State and received higher instruction in the Allegany Academy at Cumber- land, Maryland, spending some three years there in study. During the two years following he assisted in the op- eration of the family estate and then, in 1882, went to Piedmont, Mineral County. West Virginia, where he was employed with the Black, Sheridan & Wilson Coal Company. In 1898, he left there and was made captain of Company H, 2nd Regiment, West Vir- ginia Infantry, U. S. Volunteers, for service in the Spanish-American War. His command was stationed at Green- ville, South Carolina, where it re- mained about one year.
Upon his return to West Virgin- ia, Colonel Hutson located at Charles- ton, in April. 1899. In December, 1891, he enlisted as a private in the West Virginia National Guards and received promotions until he had the rank of colonel, and was then ap- pointed Assistant Adjutant General of the State, a position he fills with credit.
In 1891 Colonel Hutson was united in marriage with Elizabeth Walker,
who is a native of Maryland; her mother is a lineal descendant of the historic Allen family of England.
DAVID M. SHIRKEY.
DAVID M. SHIRKEY, clerk of the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia, and a prominent citi- zen of Charleston, was born January 14, 1860, and is a son of John G. and Martha ( Matheney) Shirkey, both of whom are natives of Kanawha County. John G. Shirkey followed teaching practically all his life, and became a very well known and much valued edu- cator. His death occurred at Graham Mines, September 25, 1887. His widow still survives and is a resident of Charleston.
David M. Shirkey was educated in
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the Kanawha County select schools, and received many advantages on ac- count of having an educator for his father. While still in his minority, he began teaching also, and continued in the profession for a period of 19 years. In the meantime, like every intelligent and public spirited citizen, he became deeply interested in political questions. In the spring of 1894 he began the reading of the law, in the office of L. E. and H. C. McWhorter, but for the following two years he devoted only his summers to its study, teaching through the winter seasons. Later he spent two summers with Judge Hall and he was admitted to the bar and be- gan practicing in Charleston. In 1898 he was appointed special deputy col- lector of the internal revenue, and later was elected to his present position of clerk of the Circuit Court, taking his seat January 1, 1903.
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