Ohio County, West Virginia    Biography of John W. BELTZ

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Submitted by Ann Schwirian <TrKeGram@aol.com>, March 2000
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The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.,
Chicago and New York, Volume II,
pgs. 283-284

    John W. Beltz is continuing in the City of Wheeling the substantial 
business founded by his father, and in addition to operating a well equiped 
planing mill and dealing in building materials he has developed also a 
prosperous contracting business in connection with building construction.  
About the year 1870 the firm of Beltz & Flading established this enterprise, 
the original headquarters having been the old Fisher Foundry Building on 
Market Street, whence removal was later made to the corner of Nineteenth and 
Eoff streets, where the business has since been continued, the present plant 
having been utilized since 1888, in which year the title of the firm was 
changed to Beltz, Flading & Company.  The present building was erected about 
that time, and affords about sixty thousand square feet of floor space, a 
planing mill having been operated from the initation of the business.  Mr. 
Flading retired from the firm in 1893, and the title of the concern was then 
changed to J.W. Beltz & Sons Company.  The honored father, John W. Beltz, 
Sr., died in 1907, after having been actively identified with the business 
thirty-seven years and after having gained secure status as one of the 
substantial and representative men of his home city.  When the new firm was 
formed his sons, John W., Jr., and Henry E., became his associates in the 
business.
    John W. Beltz, Sr., was born in Wheeling, a son of Peter Beltz, who was a 
mechanic and who also became identified with farm industry.  John W. Beltz, 
Sr., served about a four years' apprenticeship to the trade of cabinet-maker, 
and finally he became a successful contractor and builder in his native city, 
many of the substantial buildings erected by him in early days being still in 
use and in excellent preservation.  He represented the Sixth Ward as a member 
of the City Council several terms, was liberal and progressive as a citizen, 
was a democrat in politics, and he and his wife were devout communicants of 
St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.  The maiden name of Mrs. Beltz was Virginia 
Grammer, and both she and her husband passed their entire lives at Wheeling, 
she having survived him by ten years.  Of the five children John W., Jr., 
immediate subject of this sketch, is the eldest; Henry is employed in 
connection with the business founded by his father; Edward died at the age of 
forty years; Mary died in early youth; and Miss Anna resides in Wheeling.
    John W. Beltz, Jr., was born, reared and educated in Wheeling and here 
gained early experience in connection with his father's business, so that he 
was well fortified when, upon the death of his father, he assumed control of 
that industry, which has been signally prospered under his management.  The 
enterprise is continued under the title of J. W. Beltz, and employment is 
given to about fifty persons.  Mr. Beltz is a stockholder in a number of 
banking institutions, and while he has had no desire for political activity 
he is significantly progressive as a citizen and takes loyal interest in all 
that concerns the welfare and advancement of his native city.  He and his 
wife are communicants of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, he is affiliated with 
the Knights of Columbus, and is a member of the Carroll Club.His attractive 
house is in the Third Ward.
    Mr. Beltz wedded Miss Mary Schaub, daughter of the late Louis Schaub, who 
founded the Central Glass Works at Wheeling and who continued as general 
manager of the same for thirty-five years, when he retired, he having been 
sixty-five years of age at the time of his death.  Mr. and Mrs. Beltz have no 
children.