U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- DuBois, Joseph Dorsey (1827-1906) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Men of West Virginia, Volume II Biographical Publishing Company George Richmond, Pres.: C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas. Chicago, Illinois, 1903 Pages 447-449 JOSEPH DORSEY DuBOIS, late secretary, and at present a director, of the Wheeling Steel & Iron Company was born at Dorsey's Flats, Jefferson County, Ohio, April 13, 1827. His father, John P. M. DuBois, was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was a son of John Joseph DuBois, who immigrated from Strasburg, France, to the United States, settling in Philadelphia. John P. M. DuBois removed to Steubenville, Ohio, in the "twenties," and was engaged as a clerk in the drug store conducted by his cousin, Dr. George Wilson. In February, 1826, he was joined in marriage, in Jefferson County, Ohio, to Nancy Dorsey, who was born near Brownsville, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and came from the well known Dorsey family of Maryland. Our subject's maternal great- grandfather was Peter Miller, who came from Mannheim, Germany, and for a half century lived in Philadelphia; he was vice-president of the German Society of Pennsylvania from the beginning of that organization until 1772. At one time Mr. Miller was employed in a printing office with Dr. Benjamin Franklin, and later was himself proprietor of a publication. He was an appointee of the Crown in the office of notary public, and drew up legal documents and acted as German interpreter. After his marriage, John P. M. DuBois began farming at Dorsey's Flats, Ohio, where he lived until 1857, removing in that year to Iowa, where his death took place in 1868. His wife survived him until 1888, when she, too, passed away. Joseph Dorsey DuBois was reared on his father's farm and received his educational training in the common schools up to his 12th year, when he became a pupil in the Grove Academy at Steubenville, and subsequently attended advanced schools. In 1847 he entered upon the study of the law with Joseph M. Mason at Steubenville, and also for a period was in the office of Hon. Edwin M. Stanton with a fellow student, Robert L. McCook, with whom he was admitted to the bar of Ohio at Cadiz in 1848. In September, 1849, he went on the river as steamboat clerk, and in December, 1853, became clerk of Union Line packet "City of Wheeling," of which the late Capt. John McLure was in command. Mr. DuBois remained on the river as clerk and captain until 1864, when he resigned as captain of the St. Louis and New Orleans steamer "J. C. Swan." In connection with others, in 1860 he built the steamboat "Prince of Wales," and ran between St. Louis and New Orleans until the commencement of the Civil War. After resigning his position as captain of the "J. C. Swan," Mr. DuBois returned to Wheeling, and on June 30, 1894, became secretary and business manager of the Belmont Nail Company, which position he occupied until the Belmont Nail Company, in June, 1892, was consolidated with the Benwood Iron Works, the Wheeling Iron & Nail Company and the Wheeling Steel Works, constituting the Wheeling Steel & Iron Company, of which Mr. DuRois was elected secretary. This position he resigned March 16, 1899, and retired from active business. Mr. DuBois was a prominent promoter of the Wheeling & Elm Grove Railway Company, and served as its president for 16 years. At the time of the company's organization, the project had but few friends and strong opposition, many people considering that it would be impracticable. Numerous difficulties had to be overcome before the railway could be built. The organizers were forced to contend with the State Legislature, the Board of County Commissioners and the City Council, all of which refused to allow the use of steam motors. The Legislature hesitated in permitting a steam railway along the National Road, and horses were used for a number of years, but with varied success, and the operation of the road was about to be abandoned, when the use of steam motors was finally permitted, — this has since been succeeded by the electric trolly system. Owing to the convenience of travel between the city and the end of the line, many palatial residences and hundreds of houses have been erected along the entire length of the road, from Wheeling to Elm Grove. Mr. DuBois resigned the presidency of the company on January 16, 1892, in favor of Anton Reymann, the present incumbent. Mr. DuBois was married January 27, 1857, to Ellen Zane Armstrong, a native of Wheeling, and daughter of the late Francis Rawdon Armstrong, who immigrated with his parents from Ireland to Virginia when a lad. Our subject and his wife had two daughters, one of whom is now living, Mary P., wife of J. J. Holloway, a well known, enterprising citizen of Wheeling. Mr. DuRois has made his home in Leatherwood for many years, having commenced to improve it in 1868. It is very beautiful and attractive. Much of the shrubbery and all of the trees were planted by his own hand. It is a charming place and one of the most attractive homes in that suburban village. His wife died July 24, 1894. Mr. DuBois has been connected with many public enterprises outside of his regular business as an iron and steel manufacturer. At present he is a director of the Wheeling Steel & Iron Company, Wheeling and Elm Grove Railroad Company and Franklin Insurance Company. He was a member of the City Council for a time. He has been a Mason for the past 48 years, and has been a member of the vestry of St. Matthew's Protestant Episcopal Church 31 years, being at present senior warden. He is well known as a man of honor and integrity. ------------------------------------------------------------------- From Death Certificate, City of Wheeling, W.Va. #346 FULL-NAME: Joseph Dorsey DuBois BIRTH-DATE: April 13, 1827 BIRTH-PLACE: Dorsey Flats, Jefferson County, Ohio DEATH-DATE: August 9, 1909 DEATH-PLACE: "Leatherwood", Wheeling, W.Va. MARITAL-STATUS: Widowed (Ellen Jane Armstrong) OCCUPATION: Retired FATHER: John Peter Miller DuBois (born in Philadelphia, Pa.) MOTHER: Nancy Dorsey (born in Brownsville, Pa.) CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Dilitation of Heart, due to aortic obstruction INFORMANT: J. J. Holloway (of Wheeling, W.Va.) BURIAL: Greenwood ------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------