U.S. Data Repository
http://www.us-data.org/
 -- USGenNet Inc. --
 
Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on 
the following page:
<http://www.us-data.org/fineprint.html>
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Franzheim, Charles W. (1853-1912)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Men of West Virginia, Volume II
Biographical Publishing Company
George Richmond, Pres.: C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas.
Chicago, Illinois, 1903

Pages 762-764

CHARLES W. FRANZHEIM, a prominent citizen of Wheeling, West
Virginia, is president of the Wheeling Pottery Company, the first
pottery works established in the city, and is also president of the
Riverside Pottery Company. Mr. Franzheim was born in Wheeling, in
February, 1853, and is a son of George W. and Mary A. (Hornung)
Franzheim.

George W. Franzheim was born in 1824, at Waechtersbach, near
Frankfort, Germany, and in 1840 crossed the Atlantic to this
country, locating in the city of Wheeling. He was one of the
organizers of the First National Bank (now Bank of the Ohio
Valley), also of the Franklin Insurance Company of Wheeling, and a
member of the City Council and Board of County Commissioners for
many years. He served in the militia as major during the Civil War.
He was united in marriage at Cincinnati, Ohio, with Mary A.
Hornung, who was born at Allentown, Pennsylvania, of German
parentage, and who now resides at Echo Point, a suburb of Wheeling.
Six sons blessed this union: Charles W.: George W., Jr., deceased;
Louis H., deceased; Albert A., contractor and ex-sheriff; Henry C.,
a member of the firm of G. Mendel & Company; and Edward B., the
well known architect of Echo Point.

The Wheeling Pottery Company was organized and incorporated in
1879, and Charles W. Franzheim was one of the original stockholders
and a member of the board of directors, which included: George K.
Wheat, William A. Isett, Edward M. Pearson and D. J. McKee. Our
subject has been an officer in the company since its inception and
has served in the capacity of president and general manager since
the spring of 1893. The first buildings were on the corner of 31st
and Chapline streets, where they are still operating eight kilns.
The plant at Woods and 31st streets, where the office is also
located, was erected in 1889; and a higher grade of goods is there
manufactured. The latter is also an eight-kiln factory, and both
are built of brick. They employ some 450 men, including an office
force of 10. They make a specialty of fine cameo china and
ornamental ware, also a variety of ornamental art goods ranking
favorably with the product of any other factory in the country. Mr.
Franzheim, as president, is general manager and oversees all the
work of the concern. He is also president and general manager of
the Riverside Pottery Company, which was organized and incorporated
in April, 1899, under practically the same management and
ownership. In addition to his duties in connection with the
potteries, Mr. Franzheim is also vice- president of the German Bank
of Wheeling, vice-president of the Franklin Fire Insurance Company
of Wheeling, trustee of the Mutual Savings Bank, and president of
the Vance Faience Company, which is legated at Tiltonville and is
exclusively engaged in the manufacture of art goods. Our subject
graduated as a civil engineer in 1872, but has always been engaged
in the pottery business. From 1889 until 1893 he was president and
general manager of the Warwick China Company. He is a director of
the Wheeling Board of Trade.

Mr. Franzheim was united in marriage in 1880 with Lyda H. Merts, of
Ravenna, Ohio, she being a native of that State, and they have five
children: C. Merts; George W.; Mary R.; Catherine M.; and H.
Kenneth. Mr. Franzheim has a very fine home on the Island. In
politics, he is a stanch Republican. He is one of the trustees of
the First Presbyterian Church, and is a man whose home is his club
and lodge.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Large tombstone in Greenwood Cemetery, Wheeling, Ohio County, Ohio
    Charles W. Franzheim
    born Feb. 2, 1853
    died Oct. 22, 1912
    
    Lida Riddle Merts, wife of Charles Franzheim
    born Sep. 9, 1856
    died Jan. 29, 1934
-------------------------------------------------------------------

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
-------------------------------------------------------------------