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 684.

FREDERICK TROLL

Frederick Troll, deceased, was one of the prominent business men of St.
Clairsville. He was born in Landan, Waldeck, Germany, July 13, 1822, and
when he was fourteen years old was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker, with
whom he served three years, thoroughly learning the trade. This he worked
at during several years in the cities of Hamburg, Berlin and Vienna, and
then in 1844 sailed for America, and reached New York after a voyage of
over nine weeks. He worked at New York in a brick-yard for a short time
to obtain means to continue his journey, and then proceeded to Phila-
delphia, where he found more congenial employment for two years in a
piano factory. At the end of that time he came to St. Clairsville, and
after clerking for some time with his brother he became his partner in
the dry goods business. In 1867 he embarked in business on his own
account, dealing extensively in dry goods and notions. He was very
successful as a business man, and at his death, in January 31, 1886,
left to his sons Albert, Charles W., Louis and George, a valuable
business, which they still conduct. They have widened the scope of the
establishment and give attention to merchant tailoring, and are also
the most extensive wool dealers in Belmont county. Mr. Troll was a
very influential citizen, and was very far-sighted and enterprising
in working for the advantage of his town. Much credit is due to him
for the erection of the new county buildings at St. Clairsville, at
when everyone else had given up hope in securing them, he continued
to hold secret meetings of enthusiastic friends of the town in his
store, and by constant hard work they finally saw success crown their
efforts. He donated liberally to these buildings, and was also a liberal
contributor to the railroad. All of his success in life was due to his
own earnest and unremitting efforts and his fine business tact. He came
to the county a poor boy without resources. Mr. Troll was married May
10, 1852, to Mary Troll, a native of Germany, and they had nine children,
all of whom are living.