Today in Wheeling History: January 9--William Spears, pioneer axle manufacturer of Wheeling, died (1904).
William Spears was born on February 3, 1816 in County Durham, England. He immigrated to America in 1840, eventually settling in Wheeling, West Virginia. In Wheeling, Spears established the first axle manufacturing company and became a pioneer of the industry in the region. In the 1860s, he started his axle factory near the LaBelle Iron Works. His son Ralph R. Spears took over the business after William's retirement in 1880. William Spears died on January 9, 1904 in Viola, West Virginia at the age of 86 and was buried at Mount Zion Cemetery in Wheeling. Ralph later formed the Spears Axle Company in 1888, constructing a large factory at Main, Water and 27th Streets in Wheeling. The company produced axles for wagons, carriages, and eventually automobiles, becoming an important heavy industry in Wheeling. In 1909, Spears Axle built a new plant in Warwood near Wheeling. In 1920, the company merged with the Wheeling Axle Company. Throughout his career, William Spears innovated axle manufacturing in Wheeling, bringing jobs and commerce to the area.
To learn more: (http://tinyurl.com/mw5jhyxa) (http://tinyurl.com/ye25trms) (http://tinyurl.com/h99n9574) (http://tinyurl.com/mu5n6xbn) (http://tinyurl.com/42uyatyh) (http://tinyurl.com/yyr7d7z4)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, Find a Grave, Library of Congress
William Spears was born on February 3, 1816 in County Durham, England. He immigrated to America in 1840, eventually settling in Wheeling, West Virginia. In Wheeling, Spears established the first axle manufacturing company and became a pioneer of the industry in the region. In the 1860s, he started his axle factory near the LaBelle Iron Works. His son Ralph R. Spears took over the business after William's retirement in 1880. William Spears died on January 9, 1904 in Viola, West Virginia at the age of 86 and was buried at Mount Zion Cemetery in Wheeling. Ralph later formed the Spears Axle Company in 1888, constructing a large factory at Main, Water and 27th Streets in Wheeling. The company produced axles for wagons, carriages, and eventually automobiles, becoming an important heavy industry in Wheeling. In 1909, Spears Axle built a new plant in Warwood near Wheeling. In 1920, the company merged with the Wheeling Axle Company. Throughout his career, William Spears innovated axle manufacturing in Wheeling, bringing jobs and commerce to the area.
To learn more: (http://tinyurl.com/mw5jhyxa) (http://tinyurl.com/ye25trms) (http://tinyurl.com/h99n9574) (http://tinyurl.com/mu5n6xbn) (http://tinyurl.com/42uyatyh) (http://tinyurl.com/yyr7d7z4)
Photo credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, Find a Grave, Library of Congress
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