Today in Wheeling History: May 1—The Neuralgyline Company, founded by William E. Weiss and A. H. Diebold to manufacture and sell the pain-relieving preparation Neuralgine, was established in Wheeling with a capital of $25,000 (1901).

William E. Weiss, born on January 1, 1879, in Canton, Ohio, was a pioneering businessman who played a significant role in Wheeling, West Virginia's industrial history. Weiss graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1900 and soon after formed a partnership with his high school friend, A. H. Diebold, to sell a patent medicine called Neuralgyline. The duo moved their operations to Wheeling, where they established the Neuralgyline Company with a capital of $25,000 on May 1, 1901. The business initially operated out of two small rooms on the second floor of an old building, but it quickly grew. By their second year, sales had increased six-fold. Weiss and Diebold expanded their product line by acquiring other patent medicine firms, leading to the formation of Sterling Drug Company, which became one of the world's largest manufacturers of proprietary remedies. Weiss served as chairman of the board, general manager, and director of Sterling Products, Inc., and held leadership positions in several other companies, including Bayer-Semensan Co. and American Home Products Company. He was married to Helena Schwertfeger of Wheeling, and they had two children, William E. Weiss, Jr., and Madelyn Elizabeth. Weiss died in an automobile accident on August 22, 1942, in Harbor Springs, Michigan, and is remembered for his contributions to the pharmaceutical industry.

To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/5n7uak9m), Weelunk (https://tinyurl.com/ypzdu34d), Division of the History of Chemistry, American Chemical Society (https://shorturl.at/4uKGO)

Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Division of the History of Chemistry, American Chemical Society; Weelunk

​Today in Wheeling History: April 30 - The Wheeling Stock Exchange, one of America's regional stock exchanges, officially closed after more than 50 years of operation (1965).
 
The Wheeling Stock Exchange was established in 1914 to facilitate transactions of local stocks in Wheeling, West Virginia. As one of America's regional exchanges operating outside the financial center of New York City, it provided a platform for trading local company shares under the SEC's Unlisted Trading Privileges rule. At its peak before the Great Depression, the exchange employed full-time staff and served as a vital financial institution for the local economy.
 
The exchange traded shares of numerous local businesses including Bloch Bros Tobacco Company, Central Glass Works, Conservative Life Insurance, Fostoria Glass Company, Hazel-Atlas Glass Company, Imperial Glass Company, LaBelle Iron Works, Market Auditorium Company, Neuralgyline Company, U.S. Stamping Company, Ward Baking Company, Warwick China Company, Wheeling Bridge Company, Wheeling Metal & Manufacturing Company, Wheeling Steel & Iron Company, Wheeling Tile Company, and Whitaker-Glessner Company.
 
For decades, the exchange was housed in the historic City Bank Building (later known as The Professional Building) at 1300 Market Street. Built in 1892, this six-story Victorian structure was originally the tallest business building in West Virginia. However, by the 1930s, the exchange had scaled back to part-time operations. Its importance diminished significantly as local companies like Wheeling Steel began listing on the New York Stock Exchange. The exchange's final members were Hazlett, Burt & Watson, Bache & Co., and A.E. Masten. After more than 50 years of operation, the Wheeling Stock Exchange dissolved on April 30, 1965, citing increasing regulatory paperwork required by the Securities and Exchange Commission as the reason for closure.
 
To learn more: Wheeling News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/2ve23fp5), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/ykhvyzbb), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/3de8c8ps), The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/2s3m2khu)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wheeling Intelligencer, Wheeling News-Register

​Today in Wheeling History: April 29--Samuel F. Hawley, inventor and Wheeling resident, granted patent for "Improvement in Burners for Lamps" (1879).
 
Samuel F. Hawley of Wheeling, West Virginia was an inventor who developed important improvements to lamp burner technology during the late 19th century. His patent No. 214,774, granted on April 29, 1879, focused on creating a more efficient oil lamp that provided steady illumination with reduced flickering. Hawley's innovation featured a clever double-cone design with a specialized air flow system that directed oxygen both to the base of the flame and to the upper portion, ensuring more complete combustion and a brighter, more stable light. The patent document reveals Hawley assigned portions of his rights to W.K. Elson, William H. Robinson, and Thomas Walton, all fellow Wheeling residents, with each receiving one-fourth ownership. His invention came at a significant time when kerosene lamps were essential household items before widespread electrification. While Hawley's improvement might seem modest by today's standards, such incremental innovations in lighting technology were crucial steps that enhanced daily life for countless Americans in the late 19th century and helped establish Wheeling as a center of industrial innovation in West Virginia.
 
To learn more: Google Patents (https://tinyurl.com/bdhc8jfc), Internet Archive (https://tinyurl.com/35ke5wxy), Google Books (https://tinyurl.com/bdevjpys)
 
Photo credits: U.S. Patent Office

Today in Wheeling History: April 28--Dr. Gail Hamilton Holliday, the first high school teacher in West Virginia to hold a doctoral degree, was born in Wheeling (1872).
 
Dr. Gail Hamilton Holliday, a renowned teacher and naturalist from Wheeling, West Virginia, celebrated her 90th birthday on April 28, 1962 at her home at 85 Thirty-first Street. She had a remarkable 60-year career in education, during which she became the first high school teacher in the state to earn a doctoral degree. Dr. Holliday taught at Wheeling High School from 1901 to 1950, establishing a well-equipped biology department and leading her students on numerous field trips to study nature firsthand. Born in 1872, she lived her entire life in Wheeling but pursued higher education at various institutions, including the University of Chicago, Harvard, Bethany College, the Berkley Institute of Arts and Science, Washington and Jefferson College where she earned her master's degree, and the University of Pittsburgh, where she earned her Ph.D. in 1937 with a thesis on mosses and flowering plants in the region. Dr. Holliday was best known for becoming the first high school teacher in West Virginia to hold a doctoral degree.
 
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/2s6yjxtr) (https://tinyurl.com/3peat4v8)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave

​Today in Wheeling History: April 28--Dr. Gail Hamilton Holliday, the first high school teacher in West Virginia to hold a doctoral degree, was born in Wheeling (1872).
 
Dr. Gail Hamilton Holliday was born on April 28, 1872, in Wheeling, West Virginia, to James Lawrence and Mare E. Grosscloss Holliday. She spent her entire life in Wheeling, shaping generations of students through her passion for biology and nature. Holliday attended multiple prestigious institutions, including the University of Chicago, Harvard, Bethany College, and Washington & Jefferson College, before earning her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1937. She became the first high school teacher in West Virginia to hold a doctoral degree. 
 
Starting her teaching career at Wheeling High School in 1901, Holliday quickly established a well-equipped biology department, ensuring students had access to microscopes, scalpels, and other essential tools. She was known for her hands-on approach, leading countless field trips to explore the flora and fauna of the Ohio Valley. Her doctoral thesis focused on mosses and flowering plants in the Wheeling area, reflecting her deep connection to local ecology. 
 
Holliday retired in 1950 after nearly 60 years of teaching. She remained active in the community, advocating for science education and environmental preservation. passed away in 1969 at the age of 96 and was laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling, leaving behind a legacy of scientific curiosity and educational excellence. 
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/bddcyve4); Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/3peat4v8)
 
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Find a Grave

​Today in Wheeling History: April 27—Time capsules from the Ohio Valley Medical Center (OVMC) were ceremonially opened at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church (2024).
 
On April 27, 2024, two historic time capsules from the Ohio Valley Medical Center (OVMC) were opened during a public ceremony at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Wheeling, West Virginia. These capsules, one dating back to 1912 and the other to 1980, were discovered in the cornerstones of the former OVMC campus buildings during demolition. The contents provided a fascinating glimpse into the hospital's history and its connection to the community.
 
The 1912 capsule contained items such as photographs, documents, and memorabilia from the early days of the hospital, including records of its founding by ten women from St. Matthew’s Church. It also included medical tools and artifacts that showcased the practices of the time. The 1980 capsule featured more modern items, such as hospital newsletters, photographs, and equipment reflecting advancements in healthcare. Both capsules highlighted the evolution of medical care and the hospital's role in the Ohio Valley.
 
The event included a blessing of the capsule contents, a history presentation, and music. Attendees were invited to view the artifacts and take bricks from the demolished hospital buildings as keepsakes, celebrating OVMC's legacy. The artifacts from both time capsules are now stored at the Ohio County Public Library, ensuring they are preserved for future generations to explore and learn from Wheeling’s rich medical history.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/5n946etr); WTRF (https://tinyurl.com/bdfmxfxs), WTRF - Time Capsules (https://tinyurl.com/2n4pm9fn), YouTube (https://tinyurl.com/5n6w3rs6), Wheeling Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/y892s7py)
 
Photo caption and credit: A Tribute to Wheeling’s Legacy: A recent exhibit at the Ohio County Public Library Celebrated OVGH-OVMC and Centre Foundry’s 300 Years of History. Featuring time capsule artifacts from 1912 and 1980, plus century-old iron casting patterns, photos, and documents—this display honored two institutions that shaped the community. (Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV) 

​Today in Wheeling History: April 26--Stephen D. Richards, born in Wheeling, known as Nebraska's first documented serial killer and often referred to as the "Old West's Ted Bundy," was executed by hanging for multiple murders (1879).
 
Stephen Decatur Richards, born on March 18, 1856, in Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia), is infamously known as Nebraska's first documented serial killer. His family later moved to Ohio, eventually settling in the Quaker village of Mount Pleasant. Richards' early life in Wheeling remains largely undocumented, but his later actions cast a dark shadow over his origins. In 1876, Richards left his home and headed westward to seek his fortune. For a time, he found work at a local asylum; he claimed that during his time there, he lost all empathy for other people. When Richards later confessed to his crimes, he claimed to have committed his first murder sometime in late 1876, two weeks after arriving in Kearney, Nebraska. He went on to commit several other murders, which he later claimed were done in self-defense. Richards fled after murdering Mary L. Harlson and her three children, but was captured in Mount Pleasant. On April 26, 1879, Richards was executed by hanging in Minden, Nebraska, for the murders of the Harlson family and neighbor Peter Anderson. Richards was regarded as handsome and charismatic by some contemporary chroniclers, who described his appearance and behavior as completely obscured his nature as a cold-blooded killer. Many observed that he displayed a complete lack of remorse for his crimes and indifference toward his execution. Modern-day forensic psychologist Katherine Ramsland has written that these characteristics were also displayed by serial killer Ted Bundy, and she has referred to Richards as The Old West 's Ted Bundy. The nature of Richards' crimes and his behavior after his capture led to a brief period of notoriety, as Richards was widely talked about in the media at the time. Richards has been featured in a handful of books and periodicals, including a posthumous biography, based on an interview conducted after his final arrest. The biography, which also included entries on other criminals of the time, was published in 1879 by the Nebraska State Journal. In modern times he is known as Nebraska's first documented serial killer in Nebraska and the first person to be executed by the state.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4p6mvd38), Only In Your State (https://tinyurl.com/mr3z9s8n), Murderpedia (https://tinyurl.com/7rc73a6a)
 
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons

​Today in Wheeling History: April 26—Florence V. Brittingham, a poet and short story writer who contributed to Wheeling’s literary and community life, passed away at the age of 34 (1891).
 
Florence Virginia Shearer Brittingham was born on November 15, 1856, in Moorefield, Virginia (now West Virginia). She was the eldest of five children born to Philip G. and Susan M. Shearer. Florence attended the Eclectic Institute in Baltimore, Maryland, where she excelled academically. After completing her education, she returned to Moorefield and later married Rev. Jacob Brittingham on September 5, 1882. The couple moved to Parkersburg, West Virginia, where Florence became actively involved in church and community work. In 1889, they relocated to Wheeling, where Jacob served at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Florence founded the first Woman's Auxiliary organization in Wheeling at St. Luke's. Despite her busy life, she found time to write poetry and short stories, contributing to various periodicals. Her posthumously published collection, "Verse and Story" (1892), includes some of her poems and six short stories. Florence Brittingham passed away on April 26, 1891, in Wheeling at the age of 34. She was buried in Olivet Cemetery in Moorefield, West Virginia.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4zsrz852), Wikiwand (https://tinyurl.com/yc67ynx4), Find a Grave (https://tinyurl.com/5n7xabxv) (https://tinyurl.com/yc69zf3a) (https://tinyurl.com/8eb5fhjm), Internet Archive (https://tinyurl.com/yxxtnem2)
 
Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons, Find a Grave, Internet Archive

​Today in Wheeling History: April 25—Bill Berrehsem, professional football player and Wheeling native, was born (1903).
 
William Stewart "Bill" Berrehsem was born on April 25, 1903, in Wheeling, West Virginia. He attended Linsly Military Institute in Wheeling, where he excelled in athletics, particularly football. After high school, Berrehsem continued his education and football career at Washington & Jefferson College, where he gained recognition for his skills on the field. He later attended the United States Naval Academy, further honing his athletic and leadership abilities.
 
Berrehsem played professional football as a tackle-end for the Columbus Tigers in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1926 season. Although his professional football career was brief, he made a lasting impression as a dedicated and versatile player. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 195 pounds, Berrehsem was known for his strength and determination on the field.
 
After retiring from football, Berrehsem pursued other endeavors and eventually moved to Baldwin, Pennsylvania. He passed away on November 6, 1968, at the age of 65. His contributions to early professional football and his connection to Wheeling remain a part of the city's rich sports history.
 
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/msepeukh), Pro-Football Reference (https://tinyurl.com/5e5bkfn7), Wheeling Intelligencer (https://tinyurl.com/3x892yx2)
 
Photo caption and credit: Bill Berrehsem dominates on the mound as Linsly crushes Cathedral 12-2 on April 22, 1922. He holds Cathedral to just five hits while adding a double of his own at the plate, leading his team to a decisive victory. (The Wheeling Intelligencer, April 22, 1922)

​Today in Wheeling History: April 24--Father Wladimier Akiki, who later served as pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Wheeling from 1974 to 1977, was ordained a priest in Lebanon (1949).
 
Born on May 3, 1911, in Boston to Stephen and Takle Sakri Akiki, Wladimier Akiki returned to Lebanon with his family in 1921. There, he enrolled in the Oriental Seminary to begin his religious education. As a deacon, he served as a missionary assistant throughout North and Southern Syria, including Damascus, where he ministered to Muslim villages.
 
Missing his homeland, Akiki returned to the United States in 1937, joining the faculty at the University of Detroit. He briefly ventured into publishing with an Arabic newspaper called "Al-Ittahad." When this business failed, he returned to Lebanon in 1939, where he taught at Deir Chir Seminary while furthering his theological studies. His dedication culminated in his ordination as a priest on April 24, 1949.
 
Following his ordination, Father Akiki served numerous parishes in Lebanon, including Zabbougha, Baktoota, Biskinta, and Ain Aboo, before becoming the spiritual director at the convent of Antoora. At the request of Archbishop William O'Brady of St. Paul, he was assigned to St. Maron's in Minnesota, where he served as pastor from 1959 to 1968. He later ministered at St. George's in San Antonio, Texas, and St. George's in Dover, New Hampshire.
 
Father Wladimier Akiki served Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Wheeling, West Virginia, from October 1974 to July 1977, before retiring to his home village in Lebanon. His life represents the dedication of Maronite priests who served Lebanese immigrant communities across America, preserving their religious and cultural heritage.
 
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://tinyurl.com/26zhxfnv), Our Lady of Lebanon Church (https://tinyurl.com/5n9a5d8m), Wheeling Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/4haswtna)
 
Photo caption and credit: Our Lady of Lebanon Church at 2216 Eoff Street in Wheeling (Google Maps)