BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.


Pages 608-609.


JOHN W. SANDERS was the pioneer window glass manufacturer of Bellaire.
He was born in Waynesburg, Penn., in January, 1839, the son of Malthers
M. and Mary (Jackson) Sanders, both of Pennsylvania. The father was a
tailor, and lived in many places in the Ohio valley; being for a number
of years engaged in business in Bellaire. He is now a resident of Grand
Island, Neb. Dr. Sanders, of Grand Island, Neb., is the only child who
survives out of the six children which were born to him. The wife died
in July, 1887. John was the recipient of a common school education,
having attended the schools of Jefferson county, Ohio, his parents having
moved to that county when he was quite young. At seventeen years of age
he went into business with his uncle, John Jackson, at Clarington, Ohio,
where he remained for several years. He then began business for himself
in company with James Messerly, going into the general merchandise trade.
In the fall of 1866 he disposed of his interest in the business, and the
following year. Mr. Sanders came to Wheeling and entered the dry goods
trade with H. Brues. In 1872 he moved to Bellaire and, with Stephen Sheets,
organized a stock company for the purpose of manufacturing window glass.
The concern was known as the Bellaire Window Glass company, of which he
was made secretary. Serving in this capacity for some years, he was
subsequently elected president, and acted as general manager and president
of the company up to the time of his death, which occurred March 28, 1884.
While in Wheeling he was united in marriage to M. Alma Surgison, daughter
of Dr. J. W. Surgison, who for many years was a prominent dentist in
Wheeling. He died in 1881. He was formerly a resident of Westchester, Penn.,
and came to Wheeling in 1865. He was the father of five children, four of
them still living. His wife died in 1866. The marriage of Mr. Sanders took
place in 1870, and was blessed by the birth of six children, all of whom
survive him. The children are: Edward W., Annie B., Mary A., James M.,
John W. and Helen V. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders were both members of the Methodist
Episcopal church, of Wheeling and he was a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Mr. Sanders was for some time a member of the Bellaire city council; being
a representative of the republican party in that body. A man who started
almost empty-handed in life, yet one who made a success, and died possessed
of a fortune, and what is better, possessed of the hearts of his friends
and the respect of the community in which he had lived.