USA > West Virginia > Wood County > Parkersburg > Parkersburg; a souvenir of the city of Parkersburg . . . together with a complete city directory of Parkersburg and her suburbs, 1907 > Part 4
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ence just what was needed to make it con- venient, and especial attention was given to the classification of goods and adaptability to the quick assembling of orders to insure prompt shipment, a very necessary feature in caring for the retail trade's most urgent needs: with the result that there is nowhere in West Virginia, aud probably nowhere in the country, a more modern and up-to-date Wholesale Grocery Warehouse to be found. Among other advantages they installed a private railway track to enable them 0 handle goods at the least cost and with the least delay and waste, and also insuring quick shipments of large orders to their customers.
That their trade in general appreciate this consideration of their needs is shown in the steadily increasing business that comes to this hustling firm, and the fact that a custo- mer once gained remains a loyal friend as well as customer.
Everywhere throughout their warerooms business is moving like a piece of well oiled machinery, without confusion and with clock-like regnlarity, bringing a maximum net result, the warehouse being equipped with every appliance that will aid the em- ployee in his work, and facilitate the as- sembling of orders.
On the road the House is represented by an active and aggressive force of traveling
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TÉR
The Parkersburg Brewing Company Seventh Street, between Green and Swann
(W. Va. 5)
salesmen, who have worked zealousty for the House's interests and have proven of far more than the average ability, and who have made of business a pleasure, and won a legion of friends for both themselves and the House they represent, a geniat friendly company of travelers whom it is a pleasure to meet and do business with. And the House thoroughly appreciates their services, realizing that the old saying is true, "A house is what its salesmeu make it."
Thus the Star Grocer Company stands at the beginning of 1907 not only as the lead- ing Wholesale Grocery Company of Park- ersburg, and this section of West Virginia, but with the brightest of prospects for a still greater trade. And notwithstanding the hustle incidental to an active and well- cared for business, the man calling on busi- ness will be met with a heart-warming wel- come that at once places him en rapport with the House, and will find it a pleasure to place his interests in their care, knowing that he will have as careful personal atten- tion given to his needs as he himself could give, and that courtesy, prompt shipment and perfect goods are an undeviating rute with the House, and that everything possible will be done to make it hoth a pleasure and profit to do business with them.
The officers of the Company are W. T. Wiant, President; J. C. Brohard, Secretary, and W. C. McConaughey, Treasurer and Manager.
The Parkersburg Brewing Company
The Parkersburg Brewing Company was incorporated under the laws of West Virginia June 24, 1889, with M. Rapp as President, C. Goetz, Vice President, and W. H. F. Kelly, Secretary. The first beer from the new brewery was delivered in August, 1890, and the demand for the product has steadily in- creased from that time, entailing a constant enlargement of the plant and the Introduc- tion of improved machinery from time to time to meet the growing demand. The buildings of the company now cover several acres of ground, and are built of the most solid masonry. A fine electric plant furn- ishes the light for all the buildings, and the latest improved ice machine supplies the large quantity of ice used in the manufac- ture of the thousands of barrels of beer made here. The first impression one receives on entering the plant is of the courtesy of the attendants, and the absolute cleanliness that prevails everywhere throughout the place. The buildings are most conveniently divided off. Everything is handy and convenient.
The plant keeps fifty men constantly em- ployed.
Nothing but the finest seasoned Imported hops enter into the composition of their beers, and the water is the purest artesian, which, with the sanitary precautions taken, make their beers the purest, most delicious, and most wholesome-the beer that replaces others but is never replaced.
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MANETTA-AND PARKERSCURE
Lock and Dam, No. 18, Parkersburg, W. Va.
The brands of beer made by the Parkers- burg Brewing Company are "Genuine Pil- sener," "Extra Old Lager," and "Cinh Ex- port." The latter is bottled for export and has obtained a high reputation for its medi- cinal qualities and for family use.
The brewing is under the personal super- vision of Head Brewer Frank Hemmrich, a thorough master of all the details of the alt of brewing, whose long experience under German instruction makes him take front rank with the best in America, who has been with the company ever since its organ- ization.
The Bottling Department is under the management of Mr. G. L. Fries, an old Park- ersburg citizen, being born and raised here, and is well known and popular with a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. This de- partment is supplied with all the latest ap- pliances and conveniences, and is kept con- stantly husy to supply the large demand.
Mr. Carl Goetz is collector and traveling agent for the firm, and is a well known and popular salesman, with a large circle of friends throughout Southeastern Ohio anl West Virginia.
Mr. Frank McKim is now bookkeeper, the position formerly held by Mr. Goetz.
The present officers of the company are: Daniel Schafer, President; J. H. Kelly, Vice President; W. H. F. Kelly, Secretary; Con- rad Goetz, Treasurer and General Manager. Of these officers, Mr. Conrad Goetz and Mr.
W. H. F. Kelly have been identified with the firm from the beginning.
Visitors to the plant are always welcome, and are shown every courtesy, and polite at- tendants take pleasure in explaining the minutest details of the brewing from the malt and hops to the great vats of finished product, ice cold, in the seclusion of the cellars, three of which are required to hold the stock kept constantly on hand.
The Camden Theater
The Camden Theater, of which the above photograph was taken during the perform- ance of "The Girl That Looks Like Me," by Kathryn Osterman, New Year's matinee, Ic the finest theater in any town of this size in the Southwest. It is modern and has a seat- ing capacity of 1400, and its stage will ac- commodate the largest road production. This Theater brings to Parkersburg a magnificent line of high class attractions, and the grati- fying success which it has achieved shows that the effort of the management to secure only high class attractions is keenly appre- ciated by the theater-going public. Fully 50,000 people make The Camden their the- ater home. Three street car lines pass the entrance, and the Inter-Urban line Is but a block away, making it easily accessible from all parts of the city, the suburbs and ad- jacent towns. In fact, so pleasant and con- fortable is the seating arrangement, and so fine are the acoustics, that a steady clien-
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The Camden Theater West Side Market Street, between Seventh and Eighth (W. Va. 402)
tele from neighboring towns prefer this theater to those located in their own place, and visit here regularly. The theater is but two blocks from the B. & O. depot, and near all the leading hotels, making it ideally con- venient in every way.
Under the able management of Mr. L. M Luchs this theater has played to capacity houses this season such plays as Kathryn Osterman in "The Girl That Looks Like Me," "The Lion and the Mouse," "Wonder- land," Lew Dockstader's Minstreis, "The Maid and the Mummy," Mildred Holland in "A Paradise of Lies," Richard Carle in "The Mayor of Tokio," Little Johnnie Jones," "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch," "The Clansman," Wm. H. Crane and Ellis Jeffreys in "She Stoops to Conquer," Malcolm Ar- buckle in the "County Chairman," Jess Dandy in the "Prince of Pilsen," Marie Ca- hill in "Marrying Mary," Dustin Farnum in "The Virginian," Al G: Field's Minstrels, Paul Gilmore in "At Yale," Robert Edeson in "Strong Heart," and has in prospect many of the leading plays on the American stage, such as "The College Widow," "Squaw Man," "Red Feather," Mme. Modjeska, "Coming Thro' the Rye," and others, including many of the reigning stars.
Especially noteworthy are conveniences not usually found in theaters of this class, notably the promenade foyer, and check room, the ample space for ingress and exit, making a panic scarcely possible; the unusu-
ally comfortable seats, the excellence of the orchestra; in fact, the stranger in the town is surprised at the many little finishing touches for his pleasure, convenience and comfort, so seldom found, as to be a con- stant and pleasant surprise.
The "Star" dressing rooms are magnifi- cently equipped, and have been pronounced by the "profession" to be as handsome 23 are found anywhere in this country. As to the remainder of the dressing rooms, noth- ing has been left undone that will add to the comfort and convenience behind the foot- lights.
The theater is equipped with commodious boxes, handsomely furnished to accommo- date theater parties, etc. Great attention has been paid to the construction and equip- ment to prevent fire. The walls of the build- ing are twenty-eight inches thick. A very heavy wall running from the basement to the roof, divides the stage from the audi- ence, and with the heavy asbestos curtain the stage is entirely separated from tlie main auditorium.
Automatic fire shutters are located at every opening between the stage and the auditorium room. A fire hose is located on every floor, which is connected with the city water.
In fact, the theater is constructed as near fire-proof as possible, and every precaution has been taken to make the theater abso- lutely safe.
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DPRINTER
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DISPATCH NEWS
The Parkersburg Dispatch-News
City Hall Place, Parkersburg, W. Va. (Business Offices, W. Va. 503. Editorial Rooms, W. Va. 520 )
The Camden Theater has recently been leased to a corporation projected by the well known theatrical firm of Nixon & Zim- merman. This will assure the public of a very fine line of attractions for the coming seasons.
The Opera Block Investment Company built and own the entire block in which is located the Camden Theater, this being one of the most attractive business blocks in the city of Parkersburg. The Directors of the Company are: Senator J. N. Camden, Pres .; H. H. Moss, Vice Pres .; S. D. Camden, Secy : H. P. Moss, Treas .; W. N. Chancellor.
The Parkersburg Dispatch-News
Published every morning by The Park- ersburg Dispatch-News Company; offices City Hall Place, Parkersburg, W . Va.
Charles B. Kefauver, President.
John Marshall, Secretary-Treasurer.
Member Associated Press. Largest circu- lation of any paper published in the Ohio Valley between Wheeling and Cincinnati.
A morning newspaper is recognized as the best advertising medium in the world. Ap- ply for rates.
Telephone Nos. Bell. W. Va.
Business Offices. 503 503
Editorial Rooms. 386 520
SUBSCRIPTION RATES.
Delivered by carrier to city subscribers
every day in the week, including Sunday, at 10 cents per week.
Seven papers for 10 cents, including Suu- day issue.
By mail in advance, postage prepaid.
Daily, including Sundays, one year, $5.00; six months $2.50; three months, $1.25; one month, 45 cents.
Liberal advertising rates on application.
The Parkersburg Dispatch-News is the foremost newspaper published in West Vir- ginia within the vast region of the Ohio Valley between Wheeling and Cincinnati. It is the only morning newspaper published in Parkersburg, and serves a wider scope of territory than any other newspaper in West Virginia. It has the world-wide Associated Press service, thereby giving its readers news of both hemispheres.
Locally it covers the state of West Vir- ginia and in particular detail all the coun- ties tributary to Wood, and within a radius of 50 to 100 miles from Parkersburg.
It is without a rival in Parkersburg in ci :- culation, in news service, and iu usefulness and value to reader and advertiser. Outside of Parkersburg it has subscribers in every county in West Virginia. Its particular ter- ritory outside of Parkersburg and Wood county embraces a wide area of populous and prosperous country, wherein it serve's thou- sands of readers, the majority of whom take no other daily newspaper. Among the coun-
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The Parkersburg High School.
ties embraced in this territory are: Ritchie, Wirt, Pleasants, Calhoun, Doddridge, Roane, Jackson, Harrison, Gilmer, Braxton, Mason Lewis, Taylor, Barbour, Wetzel, Tyler.
This field of newspaperdom is almost ex- clusively tributary to Parkersburg and The Dispatch-News, and through this territory the local news of Parkersburg and of West Virginia and the leading news events of the United States. and of the world, are pub- lished by The Dispatch-News fresh from the midnight and early morning types of the printer ahead of all competitors, going out on the early morning trains in all directions from Parkersburg.
In the undisputed field of such a wide and populous territory, with the splendid city of Parkersburg for the hase of its operations, The Dispatch-News is growing and will con- tinue to grow to the influence, power and circulation of a truly metropolitau news- paper.
No intelligent individual, no up-to-date family or home, no business man within these borders, can afford to be without this paper. It gets there first, it has the best, and its circle of daily readers is limited only to the population within its natural territory.
Besides the foregoing, the following are many other manufacturers and large em- ployers of labor in Parkersburg:
A. B. Copen, Brick Maker.
M. B. Stephenson, Brick Maker.
O. O. Tolles Brick Co.
Logan Carriage Co.
Parkersburg Chair Co.
Parkersburg Dock Co.
C. C. Camden & Co., Electrical Supplies.
U. S. Engine Co.
The Peerless Milling Co.
Bentley & Gerwig Furniture Co.
C. C. Martin & Co., Wholesale Grocers.
H. C. Jackson Co., Wholesale Grocers.
The C. Nelly Co., Wholesale Grocers.
Chancellor Hardware Co.
R. L. Neal & Co., Hardware.
G. W. Niswander & Co., Hardware.
Rector Bros. & Rardin, Hardware.
H. F. Harnish & Co., Saddlery.
Woodward Manufacturing Co., Saddlery. Parkersburg Ice Co.
Citizens Lumber Co.
Parkersburg Mill Co.
Nicolette Lumber Co.
W. W. Watterson Lumber Co.
H. S. Wilson & Son, Lumber.
Parkersburg Mattress Co.
Parkersburg Mantel, Tile and Mfg. Co.
International Harvester Co.
Acme Fishing Tool Co.
J. J. Crotty & Co. National Supply Co. Oil Well Supply Co.
Parkersburg Rig & Reel Co.
Stiles Foundry & Supply Co.
Globe Printing & Binding Co.
B. & O. Railroad Co.
Little Kanawha Railroad Co.
Parkersburg, Marietta & luter-Urban Ry. Case Manufacturing Co.
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Col. Charles B. Kefauver
President of the Parkersburg Dispatch-News.
Of the men who have the interests of Parkersburg at heart and are working earn- estly for her welfare and advancement, one of the most prominent is Col. Charles B. Kefanver. A daily newspaper is always 1 strong weapon, and when used with judg- ment and conservatism, can be made i mighty force in the constructive work of a city. The whole history of Col. Kefauver shows that The Dispatch-News is in the hands of a man who will wield it mightily for the city's welfare. Col. Kefauver has been always active in political life in the State, and has been a strong factor in help- ing many a deserving man to a higher polit- ical position. He stands by his friends, and his worst enemy will not accuse him of truckling or trading. He can take a licking gracefully, but he cannot stand aside an l see a friend whipped. He has occupied num- erons responsible political positions, nearly or quite all of them by appointment without request or solicitation upon his part. He began his political career and became ide - tified with the Republican politics of the State while a correspondent for newspapers at Grafton. His first official position was as Secretary of the Taylor County RepublicaL Executive Committee and as confidential secretary to Hon. Thomas E. Davis, who was Republican candidate for Governor in 1892. Later he was Secretary of the Second Dis- trict Congressional Committee in 1896, for Judge Alston G. Dayton, who was re-elected to Congress from that district. During the administration of Governor Atkinson he was in charge of the Insurance Department
in the State Auditor's office, and was ap- pointed by Governor Atkinson, without sol- icitation as State Bank Examiner, serving the last of Atkinson's administration. Prior to that, in 1898, Col. Kefauver was ap- pointed by Gen. George W. Curtin as Briz- ade Adjutant General of the West Virginia National Guard, with rank of Lieutenant Colonel, serving in this position for nearly three years, and surrendered same when he entered the Government service as casaier in the local Revenue Office under Thomas E. Davis.
After this Col. Kefauver became Secretary and General Superintendent of the Cairo & Kanawha Railway Company, which position he now holds.
The Dispatch-News will receive the most of Col. Kefauver's attention, and the results he is bringing teil more than volumes of fulsome praise can tell of his adaptibility io the management of a successful newspaper.
Col. Kefauver was born in Baltimore, Maryland. and was educated in the Balti- more City College. He is a member of the Blennerhassett Chib, but no society circum- scribes his sphere of influence. He nunt- bers his friends as a tree numbers its leaves, and many a grateful man looks back to the time when "Charlie" Kefauver's friendship was the controlling force that lifted hin into the position which his ambition crave l. Democratic and unassuming in manner, he is one of the most approachable men in the city, and is a type of the active young busi- ness men on which the future of Parkers- burg depends.
O
A. C. Davis
General Manager West Virginia Western Telephone Company
To tell you the story comprised within the forty-one years of active and aggressive life of the subject of this sketch would take sev- eral volumes. To condense it is almost im - possible, for he has lived more to the square inch than most men have to the cubic yard. The dominant note is that A. C. Davis is a man who so dearly loves peace that he will fight for it-and always has. He can't be whipped, for he don't know when you have got him whipped, and will fight from any position, up, down or sidewise.
And when he fights, size don't scare him, nor time doesn't connt. He doesn't fight by rounds and rules, but fights till he whips. That he is self-made goes without saying. Usually when you say a man is self-made you mean he is the good one out of a bad bunch. Davis isn't. He comes from a fine family and a fine home. But he just had to have an independent career and had to make it for himself. He was too enthusi- astic and progressive to follow precedent, so he cut his own way through the commercial wilderness and cleared his own ground. Na- turally the point of greatest resistance was the point that attracted him most. A ^at, easy and dreamy proposition don't attract Davis. It has got to have bumps and angles, and rocks strewn along the way, to look inviting to him. He is always at high pres- sure and in working order, and to tell what he has accomplished is simply to write the history of what he has undertaken. Take for instance the following list:
General Manager of the West Virginia Western Telephone Company, Parkersburg, W. Va.
Secretary and General Manager of the Marietta Telephone Company, Marietta, O.
Secretary of the Caldwell-Marietta Tele- phone Company.
Secretary and Treasurer of the West Vi :-
ginia Telephone, Telegraph and Transpor- tation Co.
Secretary West Virginia Independent Text :- phone Association.
Secretary Parkersburg Novelty and Speri- alty Co. .
Secretary Oakland Pressed Brick Co.
Director Parkersburg Banking and Trust Company.
Vice President Caldwell Independent Tele- phone Company.
Director Ravenswood Telephone Company.
And an officer or director in many other corporations in West Virginia and other States.
Any time you want to find Davis go in the fore front where the crowd is greatest and the fighting is the thickest-but if you don't want to get hurt keep back of him. There is no one man today who has done more to lift the mask from the bugaboo of hypothet- ical power supposed to have been centered in great corporations where it could not re governed or controlled, and who has shown that the largest octopus is but a bubble io be pricked by determined and aggressive men.
Mr. Davis was born in Harrison County, West Virginia, September 21, 1866, and was educated in the public schools of West Vir- ginia, and afterward in Alfred l'niversity, New York, and Central University of Indi- ana. He is a graduate in Civil Engineering, and in his earlier business career taught in public and private schools, and later was bookkeeper and auditor. He was Auditor and Office Manager of the West Virginia Western Telephone Company from 1898 to 1901, and has been General Manager of that Company from 1901 to the present time. His whole business career has been one of ag- gressive constructive work, and Parkers- burg is proud to claim him as her own.
T. R. Cowell
Vice President Cairo & Kanawha Railway Company
Among the many oil producers who came to this field during the oil excitement of twelve years ago at Sistersville, and who re- mained to invest in and upbuild the city ; industrial life, no man is better or more favorably known than T. R. Cowell.
Mr. Cowell began his career in the oil field here, in the employ of the Fisher Oil Company, getting up at five o'clock in the morning and riding all day inspecting the drilling of their various wells, and thus gaining a fundamental and practical experi- ence in the oil business, which naturally led him into oil production for himself.
Since that time Mr. Cowell has drilled more wildcat wells, developed more new ter- ritory, has opened up more oil pools, and has organized more oil companies than any other one man in West Virginia, and a pe- culiar feature of his whole oil producing ca- reer is that every man identified with him has always prospered When one considers the risks attendant upon the development of wildcat fields this is truly remarkable. He was one of the first ones to drill in the Elk Fork field in Tyler County, West Vir- ginia, and also drilled in one of the first wells in Ben's Run pool that opened up one of the best Cow Run pools in Pleasants County, West Virginia. He promoted the company that drilled the first well in the Bloomfield pool, Washington County, Ohio, and many others.
Mr. Cowell is interested in oil properties in West Virginia, Illinois and Kentucky, owning 12,000 acres of oil leases in Ritchie County, and buys and sells more large o'l
properties than any other one man in the State. Mr. Cowell moved his residence -to Parkersburg four years ago, and is one of the city's wide-awake and progressive busi- ness men, probably being best known out- side of the oil business because of his con- nection with the Cairo & Kanawha Railway Company, of which he is Vice President. Among the many industries with which Mr. Cowell is identified or which he his had a material influence in establishing in Parkersburg is the National Plaster & Su )- ply Company, of which he is a Director, which was recently enlarged and recapital- ized, and which maintains ahout fifteen em- ployes; the Ohio Valley Bending Company, employing about thirty-five men, the Cairo & Kanawha Railway with a veritable army of employes; and he is a stockholder in num- erous other concerns and enterprises.
Mr. Cowell was born at Oil City, Pennsyl- vania, and was educated at Holbrook Mili- tary Academy, Ossining, New York, and the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and for a time was As- sistant Military Instructor at Holbrook. He was appointed First Lieutenant Adjutant, Second Infantry, West Virginia National Guard, in 1902, by Governor White, and w.»; appointed Captain Adjutant, Second Infar .- try, West Virginia National Guard, Feb- ruary 3, 1905, by Governor Dawson. Mr. Cowell is a member of the Elks Club, the Blennerhassett Club, the Country Club, and stands high 'n Masonic circles, and is every- where regarded as one of the best of Park- ersburg's coming young business men.
J. Mentor Caldwell
J. Mentor Caldwell, a graduate of the Columbian University of Washington, D. C., is one of Parkersburg's popular and pro- gressive young attorneys, who had confi- dence in the future of his home city, and therefore established his every interest here. Being an optimist in the highest sense of the word, the travail of the day does no. discourage him, and he identifies himself with those interests that tend to develop and upbuild a better and a greater Parkers- burg. He never loses an opportunity at home or abroad to tell of the progress and prosperity of his native State and of Park- ersburg, the coming industrial city of the great Ohio Valley, knowing that from her superior geographical position, natural ad vantages and proximity to the great natural wealth of West Virginia, she must act as a distributing center for this wealth to the north, northwest and northeast, and that also from her superior stragetic position she furnishes to manufactures of coal, iron and lumber a enter where these commodities can be assembled cheapest, be manufactured at least cost and distributed to the great marts of the world at the lowest price.
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