Industrial Wellsburg --- Past
From the book Industrial Wellsburg published in 1899 by Ralph S Kerr
WELLSBURG, West Virginia.
A Brief History of Wellsburg of the Past.
WELLSBURG, West Virginia.
A Brief History of Wellsburg of the Past.
The town of Charlestown, Ohio County, Virginia, was laid out probably in the fall of 1790, as at the January term, 1791, of the County Court of Ohio County, Virginia, Charles Prather produced, in open court, the plat of the town of Charlestown, in Ohio County. which plat and survey was made by James Griffith, surveyor. Charles Prather bought a tract of land containing 481 acres, on the sixth day of March, 1788, from John Cox and William McMachon, attorneys for Joseph and Jonathan Cox, of Ohio County, Virginia, for the sum of 600 pounds, Pennsylvania currency, in hand paid.
This tract comprised all that portion of land lying south of the south boundaries of what is now known as Lazearville, to the waters of Buffalo Creek. At the south end of this tract, on what is called the river bottom, lies the town of Wellsburg.
The town derived its name, Charlestown, from Charles Prather the proprietor. December 27, 1816, by virtue of an act passed by the Legislature of Virginia, the name was changed from Charlestown to Wellsburg, for Alexander Wells, who married the only daughter of Charles Prather. Charles Prather and his wife Ruth, sleep the sleep that knows no waking until the great last day, in a beautiful knoll situated about 600 feet southwest of, and in full view of their once earthly mansion. Where the tomb is, is now the property of Gen. I. H. Duval. A tablet over the graves, which has long since been decayed by the ravages of time, bore the following inscriptions
"In memory of Charles Prather, proprietor of Wellsburg, died September 23, 1810, aged 77 years."
"In memory of Ruth, consort of Charles Prather, died October 7, 1807, aged 75 years."
The first house that Mr. Prather built for himself and family to live in, stood nearly opposite the property of Hon. W. H. Tarr, on what is now known as Pleasant Avenue. Afterwards he built a stone house which stood until 1848, when C. B. Prather, grandson of Charles Prather, tore down the old stone house and erected the present brick residence, known as the Tucker property.
This tract comprised all that portion of land lying south of the south boundaries of what is now known as Lazearville, to the waters of Buffalo Creek. At the south end of this tract, on what is called the river bottom, lies the town of Wellsburg.
The town derived its name, Charlestown, from Charles Prather the proprietor. December 27, 1816, by virtue of an act passed by the Legislature of Virginia, the name was changed from Charlestown to Wellsburg, for Alexander Wells, who married the only daughter of Charles Prather. Charles Prather and his wife Ruth, sleep the sleep that knows no waking until the great last day, in a beautiful knoll situated about 600 feet southwest of, and in full view of their once earthly mansion. Where the tomb is, is now the property of Gen. I. H. Duval. A tablet over the graves, which has long since been decayed by the ravages of time, bore the following inscriptions
"In memory of Charles Prather, proprietor of Wellsburg, died September 23, 1810, aged 77 years."
"In memory of Ruth, consort of Charles Prather, died October 7, 1807, aged 75 years."
The first house that Mr. Prather built for himself and family to live in, stood nearly opposite the property of Hon. W. H. Tarr, on what is now known as Pleasant Avenue. Afterwards he built a stone house which stood until 1848, when C. B. Prather, grandson of Charles Prather, tore down the old stone house and erected the present brick residence, known as the Tucker property.
WELLSBURG ACCORDING TO PATRICK GASS IN 1790.
"The ground was swampy in parts and covered with a dense growth of sycamore, walnut and wild plum trees. There was but one log house to be seen. What is now the bar, at the mouth of Buffalo Creek, was then a high bottom, thickly and luxuriantly covered with heavy forest growth, and the bottom itself was much wider than at present, hundreds of acres having gone into the river indeed at an early day serious apprehensions were entertained that the entire town site would gradually wear away and about 1830 money was raised by lottery, authorized by the State, to the amount of about $25,000 to build walls to protect the river banks. These walls have saved the banks to a considerable extent. At the extreme point of the bar is a stone about ten feet long, of irregular width, known as the "Indian Rock," which in early times bore a number of Indian hieroglyphics, and upon which it is stated George Washington inscribed his name, in one of his early journeys west."
THE FIRST COURT HOUSE.
April 29, 1799. This we infer to be the first time that the county court met in the court house, as it is the first record of that time appearing on the minutes. We quote as follows: "Ordered that the court adjourn fifteen minutes, then to meet at court house in Charlestown to hold court in the future." This building was built by Samuel Herdman, Esq., who lived to see it torn down in 1849 and the present one erected. While the new court house was being built the courts were held in Brooke Academy building, which was converted into a dwelling some years ago by Thomas Everett, Esq., and is now owned by Mrs. Wm. Frank. The bell used on the old court house was removed to the belfry of the public school building to summon the youth of the town and vicinity to school.
CEMETERIES.
The oldest burying ground used by the town is that located on the hill side south of the residence of Mrs. William Frank, long since being abandoned as a place of interment for the dead.
The ground situated on the northwest corner of Water and Fleet streets, from which the dead were removed in the year 1876 was laid out about the year 1814. On the corner east of this there was a one-fourth acre lot, on which the Regular Baptist Church stood, part of which was used as a burying ground. This property now belongs to Samuel George, Esq.
The ground situated on the northwest corner of Water and Fleet streets, from which the dead were removed in the year 1876 was laid out about the year 1814. On the corner east of this there was a one-fourth acre lot, on which the Regular Baptist Church stood, part of which was used as a burying ground. This property now belongs to Samuel George, Esq.
BROOKE CEMETERY.
In 1857 Brooke Cemetery was bought from George Cox and laid out and incorporated. It is the only one in use at present. In Brooke Cemetery lie the remains of Capt. Oliver Brown, a hero of the American Revolution. A neat monument marks his resting place. Another monument marks the spot where lies the remains of part of the Doddridge family. Among other inscriptions we notice the following:
"Rev. Dr. Joseph Doddridge, the first minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Western Virginia and in Ohio. Born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, October 14, 1769, died in Wellsburg, November 9, 1826. Rev. Dr. Joseph Doddridge was the author of Doddridge's Notes, the same being a history of the early settlement of this country.
Philip Doddridge, a brother of Rev. Dr. Joseph Doddridge, was a celebrated lawyer of his day, who died in Washington City in 1832, while representing this district in congress, and was buried in the congressional burying grounds there. Along with Alexander Campbell he represented this and several other counties in the Virginia convention of 1829 - 30
"Rev. Dr. Joseph Doddridge, the first minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Western Virginia and in Ohio. Born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, October 14, 1769, died in Wellsburg, November 9, 1826. Rev. Dr. Joseph Doddridge was the author of Doddridge's Notes, the same being a history of the early settlement of this country.
Philip Doddridge, a brother of Rev. Dr. Joseph Doddridge, was a celebrated lawyer of his day, who died in Washington City in 1832, while representing this district in congress, and was buried in the congressional burying grounds there. Along with Alexander Campbell he represented this and several other counties in the Virginia convention of 1829 - 30
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
Wellsburg Lodge No. 2, A. F. and A. M. was instituted in 1817. This lodge is the successor of Lodge No. 78, chartered March 4, 1799, by Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and once located at the old Mingo towns on the Ohio River, half way between Wellsburg and Steubenville. Brooke Lodge No. 5, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted February 22, 1846. Both of these societies are in existence and flourishing.
EARLY BANKS.
The first banking house in Wellsburg was known as the Charlestown Manufacturing & Exporting Company, which commenced operations about 1813 and went out of existence in 1815.
The branch of the Northwestern Bank of Virginia came next in 1832. Dr. John C. Campbell was president and Samuel Jacob, cashier. This merged into the First National Bank of Wellsburg, which closed May 19, 1871, and is now known as the Wellsburg National Bank. The present building was erected in 1835.
The Bank of Wellsburg, owned and operated by Samuel George, then assisted by James H. Lloyd, was put in operation about 1871.
The branch of the Northwestern Bank of Virginia came next in 1832. Dr. John C. Campbell was president and Samuel Jacob, cashier. This merged into the First National Bank of Wellsburg, which closed May 19, 1871, and is now known as the Wellsburg National Bank. The present building was erected in 1835.
The Bank of Wellsburg, owned and operated by Samuel George, then assisted by James H. Lloyd, was put in operation about 1871.
There was early developed about Wellsburg a very decided disposition to engage in manufacturing. In the year 1811 the glass business came to be agitated in the Western ???? in the year 1813 Wellsburg had a glass house, located near the site of the present Riverside Glass Works. The specialty was flint glassware, which was shipped to all parts of the country.
A factory for making green glassware was put up by the Markley brothers about 1836 on a lot near the present foundry.
The manufacture of leather was an important industry in early times, as was also that of delft ware and crockery.
The Brooke Cotton Factory was built in 1829, an account of which is given elsewhere in this work.
The manufacture of paper started in Wellsburg in 1835 and has been successfully carried on until the present date.
Among other industries was the Acme Mower Works, which occupied the old machine shop, recently torn down. This building was once used as a seminary.
A factory for making green glassware was put up by the Markley brothers about 1836 on a lot near the present foundry.
The manufacture of leather was an important industry in early times, as was also that of delft ware and crockery.
The Brooke Cotton Factory was built in 1829, an account of which is given elsewhere in this work.
The manufacture of paper started in Wellsburg in 1835 and has been successfully carried on until the present date.
Among other industries was the Acme Mower Works, which occupied the old machine shop, recently torn down. This building was once used as a seminary.
BOAT BUILDING AT WELLSBURG.
In early days it is very certain that boat building in all its branches was an important business. The manufacture of keel and flat-boats was extensively carried on. We had at Charlestown at the very earliest day one boat yard, and at times two or three of them. One run by the Bleeks and others. The largest and among the last was located just below the mouth of Buffalo Creek, which was then crossed by a chain suspension bridge at the lower end of Charles street. This chain bridge was a great novelty in its day, and was the predecessor of all suspension bridges west of the mountains. Emigrants frequently embarked from various points on the upper rivers, on flatboats constructed expressly for such use for their destination further south. During the Indian times it was a very hazardous way of traveling.
Just below this chain bridge and between the road and the river was located the boat yard.
At this time Wellsburg was a considerable place of embarkation as boats could be had on short notice; and several large warehouses were built from which were delivered annually vast quantities of flour for the New Orleans market, there being a number of valuable merchant mills in the neighborhood which deposited flour here to wait the rising of the waters.
These warehouses were built four stories high with heavy walls next to the river, and an overhanging frame work provided with rope and pulley, by means of which the boats were loaded.
Just below this chain bridge and between the road and the river was located the boat yard.
At this time Wellsburg was a considerable place of embarkation as boats could be had on short notice; and several large warehouses were built from which were delivered annually vast quantities of flour for the New Orleans market, there being a number of valuable merchant mills in the neighborhood which deposited flour here to wait the rising of the waters.
These warehouses were built four stories high with heavy walls next to the river, and an overhanging frame work provided with rope and pulley, by means of which the boats were loaded.
THE FIRST STEAMBOAT.
The first boat propelled by steam on the Ohio was constructed in 1811 at Pittsburg under the superintendence of Robt. Fulton. In the same year she commenced her trip to New Orleans and, says the account, "the rapidity with which she seemed to rush through the waters (upon which flat bottomed boats had hitherto only appeared) excited the profoundest amazement among the dwellers of that lonely stream." Her marvelous speed was perhaps ten miles an hour down stream. She was snagged and lost near Baton Rouge in the year 1824.
The steamboat interest developed rapidly with the increasing growth of the country and in proportion as it developed it swept the flatboatand flatboat interests from the river.
Among the early flatboatmen and traders here were Lewis Applegate, Peter Curran, John Ervin, the Tarrs, William and Campbell, David Coleman, the Parsons, John and William, James Palmer, John Brady, the Markleys, and a host of others who were successful as river traders.
THE GROWTH OF WELLSBURG.
The steamboat interest developed rapidly with the increasing growth of the country and in proportion as it developed it swept the flatboatand flatboat interests from the river.
Among the early flatboatmen and traders here were Lewis Applegate, Peter Curran, John Ervin, the Tarrs, William and Campbell, David Coleman, the Parsons, John and William, James Palmer, John Brady, the Markleys, and a host of others who were successful as river traders.
THE GROWTH OF WELLSBURG.
Wellsburg seems to have grown quite rapidly for the first twenty-five years, and at the close of the war with Great Britain, it is reported as one of the most important trading and shipping points on the Ohio River, but with the exception of this period its growth was slow - from 1850 to 1880 very little faster than the rural population.
The first great development in the history of the town which gave it a new impetus leading to its future prosperity, was the building of the P., C., C. & St. L. Ry. The formal and regular business opening of this road took place Feb. 25, 1878. I. P. Kline took his place as station agent in the newly furnished depot. The cost of this road to Brooke County was $123,000.
The next great event in the history of Wellsburg was the building of the Riverside Glass Works.
The manufacture of glass was the revival of an old industry in Wellsburg and was hailed by the citizens with delight.
The discovery of gas was another noted event in Wellsburg's history. Barclay Well No. 1 was the first one drilled and on Dec. 28. 1882, a big flow of gas was struck. Valuable veins of fire-clay and coal were discovered while drilling this well. This flow of gas was immediately put to practical use In a short time all of the manufacturers and many citizens were using it as fuel - indeed Wellsburg was one of the first towns to utilize natural gas for illuminating and heating purposes. Many were the excursion parties that came to Wellsburg sight-seeing. The supply seemed inexhaustible at first and the light from waste pipes along tile river bank illuminated the country for miles.
The first great development in the history of the town which gave it a new impetus leading to its future prosperity, was the building of the P., C., C. & St. L. Ry. The formal and regular business opening of this road took place Feb. 25, 1878. I. P. Kline took his place as station agent in the newly furnished depot. The cost of this road to Brooke County was $123,000.
The next great event in the history of Wellsburg was the building of the Riverside Glass Works.
The manufacture of glass was the revival of an old industry in Wellsburg and was hailed by the citizens with delight.
The discovery of gas was another noted event in Wellsburg's history. Barclay Well No. 1 was the first one drilled and on Dec. 28. 1882, a big flow of gas was struck. Valuable veins of fire-clay and coal were discovered while drilling this well. This flow of gas was immediately put to practical use In a short time all of the manufacturers and many citizens were using it as fuel - indeed Wellsburg was one of the first towns to utilize natural gas for illuminating and heating purposes. Many were the excursion parties that came to Wellsburg sight-seeing. The supply seemed inexhaustible at first and the light from waste pipes along tile river bank illuminated the country for miles.
MISCELLANEOUS
Wellsburg is the second oldest town on the Ohio River, Marietta being the oldest.
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The first public buildings for educational purposes were the Brooke Academy and Jefferson Seminary.
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In 1807 Wm. McKinley and Jacob DeCamps entered into partnership for the sale of dry goods and groceries.
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Samuel L. Marks was the first person elected mayor of Wellsburg under the provisions of the charter of 1855.
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The first building association in Wellsburg was organized in 1874. Thos. Everett was president and T. M. Lloyd treasurer.
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Charles Prather obtained a charter from the Legislature of Virginia on the 26th of December, 1792, for a ferry across the Ohio River at Charlestown.
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About 1837 the "Wellsburg Guards" came into existence, commanded by Captain Campbell Tarr. It was succeeded by the "Lafayette Guards" commanded by Captain James McCluney. At present we have the ''National Guards," organized 1898, commanded by Captain T. E. Amick.
