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 548-549.

THOMAS J. MEARS, of Martin's Ferry, a prominent manufacturer, was born
at Wellsville, Ohio, August 9, 1848. His father, Thomas Mears, a native
of Ireland, came to America in 1836, and settled at Montreal, Canada,
which he left, however, two years later to come to the United States.
His occupation at that time was road contracting, Going to Defiance
in 1839, he secured the contract for digging a part of the Maumee
canal, on which he was occupied two years. He then made his residence
at Wellsville, and graded two miles of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh
railroad from that place to Yellow creek, also graded the road through
Martin's Ferry. Another of his works was the pike road from Martin's
Ferry to Mt. Pleasant. He died while working on the contract for
railroad construction through Martin's Ferry. By his marriage to
Jane Callahan, who survives, he had four children. The subject of
this sketch, after receiving his education at Martin's Ferry, learned
the cooper's trade, which he followed about ten years. In 1873 he
started a small factory in company with William Houge, George Watson
and John Bowen; but this enterprise was short lived. In the following
January he again embarked in the business in company with D. Park, on
the site of the works. In 1878 their works were destroyed by fire,
but immediately rebuilt. On the death of Mr. Park in 1881, Mr. Mears
became sole proprietor, at which he still remains. His establishment
is the most extensive manufactory of casks, barrels, kegs and boxes
in the upper Ohio valley, and its prosperous development is the most
eloquent commentary upon the business ability of its founder. Mr.
Mears has still other important interests, being one of the organizers
of the Northwood Glass works, and a director of the same, a stockholder
in the Crystal Glass works of Bridgeport, also in the Junction Iron
works at Mingo Junction, the Elson Glass works, and he manages a 
factory at Bellaire in connection with his factory at this place,
and owns a general store on Washington street. His investments at
Martin's Ferry are many and important, and he is regarded as one of
the notable and influential men of the place. He has taken no active
part in politics, though he has served upon the council and as
township clerk. He is a member of the Catholic church of Wheeling.
Mr. Mears was married in 1882 to Emma, daughter of William Watson,
of this place, and they have four children: Emma, Jane P., Inez A.
and Lucy B.