U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Stifel, Louis F. (1851-1913) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Men of West Virginia, Volume II Biographical Publishing Company George Richmond, Pres.: C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas. Chicago, Illinois, 1903 Pages 757-759 HON. LOUIS F. STIFEL, a prominent member of the legal profession of Wheeling, is secretary of the Wheeling Title & Trust Company and is closely identified with many of the prosperous enterprises of the city. He was born in Wheeling in October, 1851, and is a son of C. E. Stifel, who for many years was a well known citizen of this city. C. E. Stifel was born in Germany and there learned the trade of a tinner, working as a journeyman in different towns as far from home as Geneva, Switzerland. He removed to Wheeling, Virginia, now West Virginia, in 1836, and upon arriving worked for Squire Duly. After marriage he entered upon business for himself on Main street, near Ninth street, and manufactured tinware and house furnishings. He worked up a fine business and in 1870 took in his sons, W. C. and L. F., as partners, the firm name becoming C. E. Stifel & Sons, and as such is now conducted by his oldest son, W. C. Stifel. C. E. Stifel was known as the finest mechanic in his line, in using the hammer and in spinning copper and other metals into shape, work which is now done by machinery. He died in July, 1898, lacking but one month of being 84 years of age. In May, 1839, he was united in marriage with Anna Clara Becht, who is still living at the age of 80 years, having come from Germany in 1835. Louis F. Stifel continued as a member of the firm of C. E. Stifel & Sons until 1875, and then attended law lectures in the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he graduated in 1877. He was admitted to the bar and began the practice in the office of Henry M. Russell. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1882, and again in 1888, serving two terms. He is a Democrat, politically, although he has taken no active part in politics except as mentioned. The partnership with Mr. Russell continued until Mr. Stifel took charge of the Wheeling Title & Trust Company, April 1, 1891. The company was organized in January, 1890, the organizers being William P. Hubbard, Henry M. Russell, George R. E. Gilchrist and Louis F. Stifel, and the idea being to do a regular title and trust business. Finding there was an insufficient title business, legislation was secured authorizing banking, and September 10, 1891, this branch of the business was started. The officers of the company are: Henry M. Russell, president; Charles J. Rawling, vice- president; Louis F. Stifel, secretary; William H. Tracy, assistant secretary; and George R. E. Gilchrist, examiner of titles. They have a property of 62 feet frontage on the west side of Main street, the building being partly occupied by Nay Brothers' shoe store and Kraus Brothers' clothing house. The company has had a steady increase in business since its inception, and is one of the soundest banking institutions of the State. The board of directors consists of the following substantial business men: Henry M. Russell: Charles J. Rawling; William P. Hubbard; John A. Hess; Charles F. Brandfass; Charles Menkemeller; Fred C. H. Schwertfeger; John S. Naylor; H. F. Behrens; and Dr. Ackerman. Mr. Stifel is identified with several other business interests of the city, being president of the Ohio Valley Drug Company, a director of the German Fire Insurance Company of Wheeling, the leading company of the State; and treasurer of the Home for the Aged, and the City Hospital. Mr. Stifel was joined in matrimony with a daughter of John Oesterling, deceased, who was at one time president of the Central Glass Company, which enterprise he built up. He was also president of the German Fire Insurance Company of Wheeling, and was a prominent business man of the city. ------------------------------------------------------------------- STANDARD CERTIFICATE OF DEATH, Wheeling, West Virginia, Reg. No. #124 FULL-NAME: Louis Fredrick Stifel BIRTH-DATE: October 9, 1851 BIRTH-PLACE: Wheeling, W.Va. DEATH-DATE: February 19, 1913 AGE-AT-DEATH: 61y-4m-10d DEATH-PLACE: 75 Sixteenth St., 4th Ward, Wheeling, Ohio County, WV MARITAL-STATUS: Married OCCUPATION: Banker FATHER: C. Elias Stifel (born in Germany) MOTHER: Anna Clara Becht (born in Germany) CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Supra-diaphragmatic abscess, discharging through the lung, Sepsis. INFORMANT: Wm. C. Stifel (of city) 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------