U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Beltz, John W. (1837-1907) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Men of West Virginia, Volume II Biographical Publishing Company George Richmond, Pres.: C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas. Chicago, Illinois, 1903 Pages 756-757 J. W. BELTZ, president of the J. W. Beltz & Sons Company, which operates four large lumber yards in Wheeling, and also a large manufacturing plant at the corner of 19th and Eoff streets, has been engaged in this business since 1867. They manufac- ture sash, doors, frames and general house finishing material, and have an extensive business patronage. Mr. Beltz was born in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in 1837, and is a son of Peter Beltz. The latter, who was a native of Hessen, Germany, came to this country in 1837. He lived at various places in the United States and died at his home in Triadelphia in 1890, aged 84 years. His wife is also deceased. J. W. Beltz has two brothers in Ohio County, — Adam, who lives near the old homestead on Peter's run; and August, who conducts a carriage shop on Market street in Wheeling. J. W. Beltz learned the trade of a cabinet-maker with Jerry Clemens and R. T. Friend. During the war he was in the quartermaster's department as a carpenter, and was located one year at Nashville. In 1867 the business of which he is now the head was established by him in connection with Joseph Salisbury and John Flading, as a planing mill. It was located on what is now the site of Benjamin Fisher's stove foundry, or the Wheeling Warehouse & Storage Company, and employed about six men. The firm continued until 1873, when Mr. Salisbury retired, and the firm name became Beltz & Flading. The concern was continued as a planing mill until 1885, when the present site was chosen and buildings were erected. The plant occupies two and a half lots, and has a lumber yard adjoining. The company also owns three other lumber yards in the city, and does an immense business in this branch of their work. In addition to these, the company rents another lumber yard from a railroad company, and handles lumber of every grade and kind. The firm was incorporated as the J. W. Beltz & Sons Company in 1884, with J. W. Beltz as president, and John C. Paul, secretary and treasurer, J. W. Beltz, Jr., Henry BeUz and Edward Beltz, sons of the subject hereof, are also connected with the business. Mr. Beltz has been a resident of Wheeling since 1838, and is well and favorably known throughout the vicinity. Mr. Beltz was united in marriage with Virginia Crammer, who was also reared in Wheeling. Besides the three sons previously mentioned they have a daughter, Anna. Mr. Beltz resides in the Fifth Ward, has served two terms in the second branch of the City Council, and is a member of the Board of Trade. Fraternally, he is a member of the Arion Association and of the Carroll Club. Religiously he is a member of the Catholic Church. ------------------------------------------------------------------- CERTIFICATE OF DEATH, City of Wheeling, W.Va. #433 FULL-NAME: John W. Beltz, Sr. BIRTH-DATE: August 4, 1837 BIRTH-PLACE: West Virginia DEATH-DATE: December 20, 1907 AGE-AT-DEATH: 70y-4m-16d DEATH-PLACE: 47 20th St., 5th Ward, Wheeling, Ohio County, WV MARITAL-STATUS: Married (Regena Beltz) OCCUPATION: Lumber Dealer FATHER: Peter Beltz (born in Germany) CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Bronchial Pneumonia & Influenza INFORMANT: John W. Beltz, Jr., (of 1211 McCullough St.) BURIAL: Mt. Calvary ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Ohio County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/ohio/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------