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 561-562. VAN WAGENER, M. D., was born in North Wheeling, May 3, 1853, of American parentage, his father, David, being a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother, Jane Clemens, a native of Ohio. Both of the latter are still living. David Clemens was an early settler of West Wheeling, where he was engaged in the manufacture of wrapping paper. In his youth, Dr. Wagener attended the public schools, rounding up his preparatory education at the Lindsay (Linsley?) Institute, afterward entering the noted old college at Washington, Penn. After leaving college he went into his father's paper-mill as a paper maker, which he continued for two years. As surely as water will find its level, so surely will the well balanced man find the position best suited for him to fill; the young man was eminently fitted for the profession of medicine, both on account of his education and natural abilities, so he left the mill to take up the study of medicine, which he began under Dr. W. S. Fischer, of Bridgeport, with whom he remained for three years. Having received a thorough preparation in his chosen profession, at the Ohio medical college, from which institution he graduated, the young medical student attended a course of lectures at Bellevue hospital, New York, in the years of 1876 and '77. Locating in the thriving city of Bridgeport, Dr. Wagener at once began to build up the enviable reputation and practice which he now possesses in no small degree. He is at present the county physician, and also the assistant surgeon of the river division of the C. & P. railroad. He is an honored member of the Belmont County Medical society, also of Belmont lodge, No. 109, K. of P., of Bridgeport, and of the Charles L. Plinny Lent, No. 140, Knights of the Maccabees. In 1879, Ada S. Harrah, daughter of Mrs. Lucinda V. Harrah, became his wife. Dr. Wagener is a useful, honored citizen of Bridgeport. The democratic party receives his vote and influence.