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.


Page 530


WILLIAM K. ELSON, of Martin's Ferry, one of the most enterprising manufacturers
of the upper Ohio valley, was born in Stark county, Ohio, November 27, 1833.
He is the son of John and Harriet Elson, the former of whom died when the
subject of this sketch was but nine months old. In 1837 the latter came to
Wheeling with his mother, and in that city attended the then indifferent
schools until he was twelve years old, after which he entered the employment
of Barnes, Hobbs & Co. He then learned the trade of a glass blower, and became
a master of that craft. He did not leave the employment of this company until
he was about twenty-nine years of age, when, in 1863, in company with John
Oesterling, Peter Castle, James Leisure and others, he started a small
factory at Wheeling, which has since developed into the Central Glass works.
He remained with this glass manufacturing company until January, 1878, when
he became associated with the Belmont glass house, of Bellaire, and remained
there five years. In 1881, he joined with M. Sheets and others in the
organization of the Elson Glass company at Martin's Ferry, of which he has
acted as president, and now holds the position of general. manager. W. H.
Robinson is now president of the company. Mr. Elson's residence at Martin's
Ferry began in 1885, and though a comparatively recent comer, he is accorded
a prominent place in business and social circles, and is highly esteemed by
all. His political affiliation is with the republican party. Mr. Elson was
married in 1855, and has three children. Mrs. Elson is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church.