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, William F. (1840-1930) ------------------------------------------------------------------- Men of West Virginia, Volume II Biographical Publishing Company George Richmond, Pres.: C. R. Arnold, Sec'y and Treas. Chicago, Illinois, 1903 Pages 562-564 WILLIAM F. STIFEL, a member of the firm of J. L. Stifel & Sons, printers of calico, is one of the representative citizens of Wheeling. West Virginia. He was born in Wheeling, in 1840, and is a son of J. L. Stifel. J. L. Stifel was born in Germany, where he managed a print works for a number of years. In 1834 he came to the United States, and after visiting several of the large cities located at Wheeling. He married Barbara Becht, who died in the "seventies." Several children were born to them, among them one son and two daughters living in Pittsburg; George E., who is one of the large dry goods merchants of Wheeling; and William F. William F. Stifel underwent his mental training at Linsly Institute, and at the age of 15 years entered his present business. His father established this business in 1835, and for many years it was located at Main and Ninth streets. Its present location is on the corner of Fourth and Main streets. The owners and proprietors of this business are William F. Stifel and his two nephews, Edward W. and Henry G. This firm employs about 50 people, and 70,000 square feet of floor space are utilized in the plant, which is supplied with strictly modern and up-to-date machinery, and is operated by electricity. The work is all done by machine and is developed by what is said to be the largest gas engine in the State. The grounds occupied by the plant are 150 by 400 feet. The sale of the product of this extensive plant is conducted through leading commission centers, thus requiring but few traveling representatives. An immense business is done each year, and the plant is well managed. Having learned the business at an early age, Mr. Stifel was fully competent to take charge of such an undertaking at the death of his father, which occurred in 1881, at the age of 74 years. Mr. Stifel is a man of much executive ability, and has met with a great deal of success. Mr. Stifel was united in marriage with Miss Schandein, of Philadelphia, and to them have been born two children, Arthur C., who is a student in the College of Textile Arts in Philadelphia; and Flora, who is at home. Politically, Mr. Stifel is a Republican, but has never allowed his name to be considered as a candidate for any office. His father was a strong Unionist and participated in some of the early movements to maintain the Union. In religious views, the family have always been Lutherans. Mr. Stifel is a member of the Board of Trade; a director in the Wheeling Steel & Iron Company; a director in both the Wheeling and Riverside pottery companies: and a director in the Wheeling & Belmont Bridge Company. He is president of the German Fire Insurance Company, of Wheeling, the leading concern of the kind in West Virginia. Mr. Stifel is a public spirited man, and takes an active and deep interest in all enterprises which tend to advance the prosperity of the city in which he lives. ------------------------------------------------------------------- DEATH CERTIFICATE, Ohio County WV, #2499 FULL-NAME: William Frederick Stifel BIRTH-DATE: August 12, 1840 BIRTH-PLACE: Wheeling, West Va. DEATH-DATE: February 19, 1930 AGE-AT-DEATH: 89y-6m-7d DEATH-PLACE: 845 Main St., Wheeling, Ohio County, WV USUAL-RESIDENCE: 845 Main St., Wheeling, Ohio County, WV MARITAL-STATUS: Married (Ella McFadden) OCCUPATION: President / J. L. Stifel Calico FATHER: John L. Stifel (born in Germany) MOTHER: Barbara Becht (born in Germany) CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Dilatation of heart INFORMANT: Mrs. Ella Stifel (of Wheeling, W.Va.) BURIAL: Greenwood Cemetery ------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------