BIOGRAPHIES
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)

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WILLIAM H. SEABRIGHT, proficient in the fulfillment of his duties as foreman of the Spence-Bagg Stove Company of Martin's Ferry, Belmont County. Ohio, has been with the company since 1896. He is a son of Charles and Louisa (Myers) Seabright, natives of Germany, and was born in Belmont County September 19, 1857.      The father of our subject was a stone contractor and bridge builder by trade. Much of the work of this kind done in Belmont County, such as filling and grading, and building of bridges of all kinds, has been the work of his hands, especially that on the Colerain Pike. Upon coming to the United States he settled first in Wheeling, where he followed the trade of a butcher until his removal to Martin's Ferry, after which he followed contracting and farming. He and his wife were married in the old country, and  they were parents of eight children, seven of whom are still living today: Louis, Charles, Emma, William H„ Minnie, Louisa, Lizzie and Albert, who died when seven years old. Louis Seabright resides on the old home farm, and for years drove many teams and farmed as his father did before him. He owned a vineyard of seven acres and at one time sold the grapes as high as seven cents a pound. Charles Seabright resides in Martin's Ferry. Emma married William Helling, and also lives in Martin's Ferry, where Mr. Helling is in the coal business in connection with farming. Minnie became Mrs. Henry Rothermund. Louisa married Louis L. Scheehle, of Martin's Ferry. Lizzie married George Floto, a butcher.      The father of these children died June 28, 1891, at the age of 66 years, 6 months and 3 days, and his wife's demise took place when she was 63 years and 16 days old. They were members of the German Lutheran Church, and Mr. Seabright was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He was a good man and was of a hard working, serious turn of mind. The public schools of Martin's Ferry supplied our subject with his education. After leaving school he entered the Ohio City Mill as a puddler; the name of the mill has since been changed to the Laughlin Mill. Until the death of his father in 1891 he stayed at the mill, and then settled the estate and followed farming and gardening at a later date; previous to entering upon the responsibilities of his present position as foreman.      Mr. Seabright was united in marriage with Fredericka Daume, a daughter of Frederick and Fredericka Daume, both now residing in Martin's Ferry. She is a native of Belmont County. They have three children— Albert William, Wilbert Carl and Dorothy L. The family are members of the German Lutheran Church and they live comfortably in their home at No. 306 North Fifth street. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Daume are still living at the respective ages of 72 and 70 years. They were married in Hanover, Germany, and landed in this country in 1859. Their home was first made in Wheeling, after which they located at Tiltonsville, and in 1872 settled in Martin's Ferry, where they have since resided. Their 10 children are all living, making a record to be proud of. The record follows: Hannah (Mrs. Charles Miller), of Wheeling; Edward, a real estate man of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Wilhelmina (Mrs. Charles Seabright), of Martin's Ferry, whose husband is a millwright at the American Tin Works; Fredericka (Mrs. William Seabright), wife of our subject; Mary (Mrs. Louis Frederick), of Wheeling; Aurelia (Mrs. Charles Rosel), whose husband is now deceased—she lives in Wheeling; Lewis, a real estate agent of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Louisa, the wife of Carl Becker, a glass manufacturer of Martin's Ferry; Frederick, employed in the shoe store of E. C. Boyd in Martin's Ferry, and Caroline, who still enjoys single blessedness. The German Lutheran Church is the preference of the family, and all but two are members of that denomination. (Source:  Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago, Illinois - 1903)

GOV. WILSON SHANNON, was the first native-born citizen of the Buckeye State to serve Ohio as Governor.  Furthermore, he was the first child born in Warren township and the little village of Mount Olivet claims the honor of his birth which occurred Feb. 24, 1802.      His father, George Shannon, was an industrious and intelligent Irishman, who was frozen to death during a violent snow storm, before Wilson was a year old, and the child's support and education devolved upon his brothers, until Wilson attained physical strength and growth to do for himself.      Then with a little aid from his brothers he worked his way through Athens College and the Transylvania University of Kentucky.  He subsequently studied law under Charles Hammond and David Jennings, and was admitted to practice at St. Clairsville, where he soon attained eminence in his profession.      Governor Shannon was a life long student and a profound lawyer, but ever ready to assist the weak and oppressed.      He entered political life in 1833 and was elected prosecuting attorney.      In 1838 Mr. Shannon was elected Governor of Ohio upon the Democratic ticket, but was defeated for re-election by Thomas Corwin in 1840.      However, in 1842 he was again elected and before his term expired he was appointed minister to Mexico, but on the outbreak of the war in 1845 returned to St. Clairsville, and seven years later he was elected to Congress, where he was one of four Democrats who voted for the Kansas-Nebraska bill.      President Pierce appointed him Territorial Governor of Kansas at the expiration of his Congressional term.      This was during the fierce conflict between the friends of freedom and slavery over the admission of Kansas to the Union and because of some friction with the administration he resigned his position and returned to his home in Lawrence, Kansas, where he died in 1877.      Howe says: "Governor Shannon possessed noble presence, and in his old age he was described as a courteous, hale, hearty gentleman of the olden times."      After his retirement from office, it was his desire to come back to the "sun kissed hills" that gave him birth, and there spend the remnant of his days, but this desire was denied him. (Source:  Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 101)

JOHN F. SHRY.  A thorough business man, well-qualified farmer and prominent county official is found in John F. Shry, of sections 30 and 36, Wayne township, Belmont County.  He was born in 1862, in Somerset township, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Baker) Shry.      Henry Shry was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, and came to Belmont County a fatherless boy.  He found a pleasant home with Henry Gregg of Goshen township, with whom he remained until he began his own life as a farmer, becoming the owner of property in Goshen, Somerset and Warren townships.  In politics he was always identified with the Democratic party.  His death took place on November 30, 1900.  The mother of our subject was Elizabeth Baker, who was born in Harrison County, Ohio, and who died when John F. , who was the youngest of ten children, was four years of age, the other being; Milton H., who was a member of the 60th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., died in the army during the Civil War; George also served in the army and died later in Belmont County, leaving a widow and family in Barnesville; Thomas Irvin resides in Kirkwood township, this county; Winfield S. lives in Wayne township; Sarah Elizabeth is the wife of Jonathan Mercer of Warren township; Mary Eliza  is the wife of Jonathan Briggs of Salem, Ohio; Ruth Ella is the wife of J. J. Sears of Piedmont, Ohio, formerly treasurer of Harrison County; William H., a horse dealer in California; and Martha Jane, the wife of George Armstrong, of Morristown, Ohio.      When John F. Shry was 10 years old, the family moved into Warren township and two years later into Goshen township, and in both townships was his education secured.  In 1890 he purchased from Mr. Copeland his present fine farm of 95 acres, and located on the place, making the greater part of the improvements that now add so much to the value of the property.  Until within the past three or four years Mr. Shry has followed an agricultural life.  He has of late been much interested in coal optioning and oil leasing, also giving some attention to politics.  Like his father, he is a stanch Democrat, and is serving as township trustee, belonging also to the Board of Education.      In 1889 Mr. Shry was married to Mary Ellen Day, who was born in Somerset township, and is a daughter of the late George Day, who died December 3, 1900, having served four years during the Civil War, a member of the 52nd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf.  Two daughters have been born to this union, namely: Bertha Mabel and Laura E., both little maidens at school.  Mr. and Mrs. Shry attend service in the Methodist Church.  He is a public-spirited, wide-awake citizen, fully equal to the demands of the day, and holds a high place in the regard of the residents of Wayne township.

FRANK R. SKINNER, a well-known and successful farmer of Somerset twp., Belmont Co., was born in this county and locality in 1817, a son of Kinsman and Isabel (Fowler)  Skinner.      Kinsman Skinner was born in 1813 in Calvert Co., Md., and died in Belmont Co., Ohio, in 1889.  In 1835 he came here and located in the vicinity of Barnesville, engaging in farming.  Mr. Skinner was a member of the Methodist Church.  His wife, Isabel Fowler, was born in 1814 in Calvert Co., Md., and died in 1883, beloved in her family and valued in the Methodist Church.  The eight children of this marriage were:  Mary Ellen, who resides in Somerton; Elizabeth, who married Richard Skinner; James W., deceased, who was a member of Company C, 60th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., in the Civil War; John T., who resides in Somerset twp., who was also a member of the same company and regiment; Frank R., of this sketch; Jane, who married Harry Thomas, resides near Lexington, Ky.; Minerva, who resides at Somerton, and Hattie, who is the wife of Judge Hoge, of Barnesville.      The fine farm of Mr. Skinner is located on section 11, in Somerset township, and comprises 71 acres of most excellent land, under a fine state of cultivation and well improved.  Mr. Skinner has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and has been more than usually successful.      On Nov. 30, 1869, Mr. Skinner was united in marriage with Hannah Finch, who was born in 1846 in Somerset twp., a daughter of William Finch.  A family of eight children was born to this union, as follows:  Jessie, who married Charles Schaffer, resides in Somerset; Gussie, who married Clyde Buley, cashier in the Belmont Bank, resides in Somerton; Emma, who is a popular teacher; Mable, who married James Bromhall, resides in Somerset twp.; Blanche, who married Dayton Hagan, resides in this township; Clara, who married John Starbuck, also resides in Somerset twp.; Guy P., who is employed in a wholesale establishment in Columbus, Ohio, and James, who still assists his father.      Like other members of the Skinner family, our subject is identified with the Democratic party.  The religious connection of the family is with the Methodist Church, to the support of which Mr. Skinner is a liberal contributor. (Source:  Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 401)

CYRUS H. STRAHL, a respected citizen of Bellaire, Ohio, is agent for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, with which he has been identified since 1870.  He was born at Somerton, Belmont County, Dec. 28, 1838, and is a son of Joel and Ann W. (Bailey) Strahl.  His mother was a daughter of Charity Bailey, whose family was one of the early ones in Belmont County.  His father was born and reared at Somerton, but lived at Bellaire at the time of his death.  Our subject is the oldest of four children, the other being: Charles L., car inspector of the B. & O. R. R. at Bellaire; Joel Edward, a printer in the employ of a large publishing house at Allegheny, Pennsylvania; and Ella, wife of contractor J. W. Jones, of Bellaire.      Cyrus H. Strahl was one year old when his parents removed with him to Monroe County, Ohio, where he resided until 14 years of age, then moved to Martin's Ferry in 1852.  In 1854 he located in Bellaire, which has been his home most of the time since.  In the Civil War he enlisted in the 43rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served for 19 months, and later re-enlisted for the 100 days' service in Company I. 170th Reg., O. N. G., in 1864.  In 1870 he entered the transportation department of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company in a minor clerkship, passed successively through the various clerical positions of this territory, and during 1889 and 1890 was chief clerk at Wheeling.  He was cashier at Bellaire, Ohio, during the years 1890-1891, and transfer agent at Benwood from June 19, 1893, when the station was opened, until Aug. 10, 1900, when he assumed the duties of agent at Bellaire, and has since held that position.      Mr. Strahl was united in marriage with Clarissa Jane Terry, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and resides now at No. 3564 Guernsey Street.  They have two children: Charlie F., who is transfer agent at Benwood, having succeeded our subject in that position; and Annie, wife of Louis J. Breshar, of Everett, State of Washington.  Fraternally, our subject is a member of Bellaire Lodge, No. 267, F. & A. M.; Bellaire Chapter, No. 107, R. A. M.; and Hope Commandery, No. 26, K. T., of St. Clairsville.  His son, Charlie F., is a 32nd degree Mason, a member of Syrian Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and Scottish Rite, of Cincinnati.  Religiously, Mr. Strahl was reared a Quaker, but is inclined to be liberal. (Source:  Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago, Illinois - 1903 - Page 428)

THOMAS L. STRONG, vice-president and general manager of the Enterprise Enamel Company, of Bellaire, Ohio, is one of the enterprising and public-spirited young business men of this city. Mr. Strong was born at Frankfort, Kansas, although his parents, James H. and Jane (Bradford) Strong, were natives of Ohio.      William Strong, the grandfather of Thomas L., was well known in his day as a reliable cooper, his kegs being the first ones made use of by the Laughlin Nail Works, or the old fop Mill at Wheeling. Mr. Strong was then in partnership with Elijah Woods, and they made the kegs at Martin's Ferry and sent them across the river in skiffs. William Strong conducted the first coopering establishment in this locality. James H. Strong, his son, was born at Martin's Ferry and now resides at Bellaire. He lost his wife some years since. In 1856. with his family, he moved to Kansas and there engaged in coopering and farming until his return to Belmont County in 1873.      Thomas L. Strong spent a three-year apprenticeship to the glass business, learning the trade thoroughly, and for 10 years was foreman in the engraving room of the Bellaire Goblet Company. His business ability was thus demonstrated and his appointment as general manager of the great and increasing Enterprise interests has proven very judicious. The Enterprise enameling plant was started in Bellaire and was operated in a small way by Theodore Rossbach and Carl L. Dorer, on the site of the present Enterprise plant, on Union street, between 17th and 18th streets. Through the active efforts of James F. DuRois, William Lipphardt and others were interested, and the business has been reorganized and placed on a sound basis and has increased to gigantic proportions. The first meeting of the board of directors was held December 13. 1897, the members being: William Lipphardt, president; F. H. Eick, vice-president; James F. DuBois, secretary and treasurer; Carl L. Dorer. vice-president; J. A. Green, Theodore Neff and Theodore Rossbach. In February, 1899. the works were temporarily shut down, but were soon reopened with Thomas L. Strong as general manager, and his influence was immediately felt in the impetus given to the business. The stockholders are almost exclusively citizens of Bellaire and vicinity and represent a large amount of capital. The present officers are: William Lipphardt, president; Thomas L. Strong, vice-president and general manager, and R. C. Faris. secretary and treasurer. The board of directors is composed of such responsible citizens as: William Lipphardt. Thomas L. Strong. Theodore Neff (the first stockholder), C. L. Dorer. J. A. Green. William J. Howell and John R. Gow. The buildings have been erected since February, 1899. and now cover an area of two acres, the main building containing the offices, packing and store rooms. This, building is three stories in height and its dimensions are 60 by 120 feet. The great furnace room, where the burning and baking is done, is of one story and is 120 by 78 feet in dimensions, and the one-story drying and shipping room is 120 by 100 feet in dimensions. In addition a new building was erected in 1902—a machinery department where the shaping of various products is done, and the constantly increasing business has rendered it necessary to build the following buildings, which are under construction: A machine shop, 70 by 108 feet; a stock building, 100 by 108 feet, and three dipping and drying rooms, 60 by 180 feet. This great industry employs 220 workmen and distributes a large amount of money. Its railroad facilities are excellent, having the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad tracks on one side and the Pennsylvania Railroad tracks on the other. The largely increasing trade of the Enterprise Enamel Company is handled through the large wholesale and jobbing house of Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Company at Chicago, Illinois—that being the distributing point.      Mr. Strong was born with executive talent, but he deserves credit for the manner in which he has developed his faculties and handles the great business problems which come into his every-day life. His family consists of wife and daughter, who are connected with the Christian Church. Mr. Strong's fraternal relations are cordial with the Masonic bodies and he is a member of Bellaire Chapter. (Source:  Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago, Illinois - 1903)

REV. LOUIS W. SUEDMEYER, beloved pastor of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Bridgeport, Belmont County, Ohio, is a young man with every prospect of a bright and joyful future before him. He is a son of Louis W. and Christina (Hahne) Suedmeyer, the former a native of Missouri, while the latter claims Prussia as her native place. Our subject is also a native of Missouri, having been born in Franklin County, October 26, 1875.      Louis W. Suedmeyer, father of our subject, was very favorably regarded by the citizens of his community, but died at the early age of 22 years, leaving his wife and our subject to mourn his loss. The former is now the wife of Charles Kruse, and they have six children. Mr. Suedmeyer followed the occupation of farming, raising grain for the most part, and served his township as trustee for some time. He and his wife were both faithful members of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church. His wife is now living at Senate Grove in Missouri, having reached her 50th mile-stone May 23, 1902.      The primary education of our subject was secured in the public schools of his native place, and was followed by instruction at the proseminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Elmhurst, Illinois. He was graduated from that school in 1898, and next became a student at the seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at St. Louis, Missouri, and was graduated with the class of 1900, which was the jubilee class of the institution.      Mr. Suedmeyer s first charge was Bridge port, and there he has been faithfully performing his duty, both as a minister of the Gospel and also as a teacher. May 19, 1901, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Angela Hotz, born in Brighton, Illinois, a daughter of the late Rev. J. J. Hotz Rev. Mr. Hotz died at the age of 64 years, his death taking place April 17, 1898. For 34 years he was a minister of the same church as that to which our subject has given his support, and his many acts of kindness have not been forgotten by his people. His wife is still living, an honored resident of New Haven, Missouri.      The citizens of Bridgeport have a very kindly regard for Mr. Suedmeyer and welcome him most heartily to their homes Wherever known he has an excellent reputation for energy, uprightness and zeal in his good work, and his scholarly bearing and learning fit him for the place he now occupies in the lives and hearts of his people. (Source:  Centennial History of Belmont County, Ohio and Representative Citizens. Publ. Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago, Illinois - 1903)

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