U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Englehart, Jesse M. (1875-1917) --------------------------------------------------------------------- A History of Preston County West Virginia Biographical Department, Supplied by J. R. Cole Kingwood, W. Va., The Journal Publishing Company, 1914 by H. S. Whetsell Pages 739-741, ENGLEHART WOOLEN MILL COMPANY. From the time Jacob Guseman settled on Muddy Creek and began operations there, this part of Preston county has been noted for more than an unusual amount of activity in business enterprises. The factory there now for the manufacture of woolen fabrics, with J. M. Englehart superintendent, has a yearly output of 120,000 pounds of finished goods with a value of $70,000.00 to $75,000.00. The company operates two sets of woolen cards, 960 woolen spindles, and 12 broad looms. It was incorporated in September, 1904, James B. Kelley, president; William H. Glover, vice-president; J. M. Englehart, secretary and treasurer. They employ about forty men, mostly skilled labor. The Englehart factory received its start from John Englehart, who was a skilled manufacturer in woolen goods in Pennsylvania for many years before coming to Preston county in 1888. His father, Michael Englehart, was born in Germany, in the town of Byron, in 1810. He was carefully educated but reared in straitened circumstances, it becoming necessary for him after landing in Baltimore to do the work of a common laborer, on the canal then being dug from Cumberland to Baltimore. He subsequently settled in Alleghany county, Maryland, where he died in 1887. His wife was Margueritta Feigh, a Hessian, born in 1823, near Hesse, Darmstadt. Their son, William, an extensive and very successful farmer and stock raiser, died nine years ago at the age of sixty-one. All the other children, with the exception of John, died in infancy. John Englehart was born May 2, 1852. He was raised on the farm, but circumstances were such that not a very extensive school education, even in the country, could be given him. At fifteen years of age, he began the trade of a woolen manufacturer, and worked at the business in Pennsylvania twenty-one years. With a family of eight children and a salary of $1.30 a day, Mr. Englehart managed to get along, until an inheritance of $300.00 induced him to come here. At that time John D. Rigg, son of John W., was running a little mill on Muddy Creek in a small way, which Mr. Englehart bought, and operated with the assistance of a couple of hands in addition to the help the sons themselves gave, for about eight months each year. He attempted the manufacture of only a few flannels and ladies' skirt patterns, enough only to supply the wants of the local trade. He continued on this line for eighteen years, but having necessities of a financial nature for the running of the business beyond his ability to meet, a relief was sought in the incorporation of a stock company, capitalized at $30,000.00. At that time he was elected vice-president and one of the directors of the company, and his son, J. M., made manager, a position he has held ever since with marked abilities. On August 11, 1874, Mr. Englehart married Anna Sease, a native of Pennsylvania, and to this union were born nine sons and one daughter: (1) Jesse Michael Englehart, the secretary and treasurer of the company, was born May 28, 1875. Other births are, (2) William Milton, November 17, 1877; (3) Edward Thomas, June 13, 1879; (4) Samuel Keller, November 4, 1880; (5) George Albert, March 29, 1882; (6) John Russell, November 15, 1883; (7) Franklyn Scott, February 23, 1885; (8) Elmer Eagle, December 10, 1886; (9) Elda May, April 10, 1894; (10) Lester Nedro, September 6, 1897. Mr. J. M. Englehart, the general superintendent of the factory, has been the company's efficient official ever since its organization. His wife, Miss Sadie Graham, was a daughter of Eben Graham, a descendant of Stearling Graham, one of the oldest families in Preston county. To this union have been born four daughters and one son: Elsie Floret, January 31, 1898; Georgia Elizabeth Buehl, October 19, 1891; Jessie Mollis, December 21, 1901; Hazel Margarite. November 1, 1903; Oscar Dale, May 17, 1905. --------------------------------------------------------------------- From Register of Deaths, Preston County, WV (Page, Line No. 5) FULL-NAME: Jesse M. Englehart DEATH-DATE: October 25, 1917 at age 42y-4m-25d DEATH-PLACE: Braddock, Pa. MARITAL-STATUS: Married OCCUPATION: Supt. Woolen Mills FATHER: John Englehart CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Unknown There's a tombstone in Centenary Cemetery, Preston County, WV JESSE M. ENGLEHART MAY 28, 1875 OCT. 25, 1917 --------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Preston County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/preston/bios.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------