The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1897-01-06

An Enterpristng Pioneer Bs1si-
ness Nan. of Point Pleasant.
Tt is remarkable that into the hiss
tory of no American city of amy
lnotecan one look without finding IN
Isome form. or another the evidence
loffhe assistance IN its progress
and development of the sturcI y self
reliance and energetic enter prise of
one at least who oncegave his allie
giance to the German T atherland:
Point Pleasant is no exception to
the rule, and the city can look
back with gratitude as he eanwifh
pardonable pride. to THAT which
Mr.. John q Stortz has lone dur
ling his residence here to advance
Its interests and promote its vel
flare, and that with no sordid mo-
tive nor selfish aims, but wholly in
1.-THE great spirit of doing the great
lest good for the greatest number.
ITO instance his special benefac=
tions for that is the term best de
lscribing his best work here would
I'LL a page. and, besides being a
ltwice-told tale to most of us, would.
Ioffend that modesty which is the
lgenial gentleman's predomina hating.
characteristic. Nevertheless in
passing, it would i'll become his BIZ
ographer to omit reference to the
lfact that when, in troublous times.
there was every fear that Point
Pleasant would be thrown back
ward in the race of progress by the
removal of the Electric Light
Plant, it was his resolution his
public spirit which ayerted the
calamity, and other cases can be.
readily called to mind where, 9th
I.ers failing TO respond, his resources
have been available and his eners
gies exerted in all helpful measures
looking to the individual and col-
lectiveadyancementof Point Pleas
ant and its Inhabitants.
Then in a private capacity Mr..
lStortz's career is one worthy of
note. His life pointssthe moral Of
patience and perseverance reward
ed. Born in the famous Black
Forest of Germany, in 1886, he.
came to America while still boy
and in the course of.time drifted.
to Cincinnati, where he followed
his trade as a tailor. Thence he
went to Pomeroy, and in1s59 found
his way to Point pleasant, where
he followed his adopted calling at
times in partnership with Mr.
r. S. Bickel, and subsequent
| ly on his own account.
AS such he ranks as oneof the
Oldest business men yet left among
us, and for nearly a quarter OF q
century in the pursuit of his
business he maintained an unims
peachable character for integrity
and sterling reliability Since
then Mr.. Stortz has found time to
devote to public affairs and such
Offices as he has filled, like that of
Town Councilman, were occupied.
with dignity, and the duties APP
pertaining to.theml discharged with
courage, fairness. discretion and
ability, a sound Judgment perya-
ding his actions and practical tact
dominating his deslings with his
fellow man. 1t may be mentioned.
that Mr.. Stortz is an Odd Fellow.
land it has been his distinction to
| fill every Office and pass every de-
gree connected with that venera=
bic order. The optimists can take
encouragement from the fact that
when Mr.. Stortz arrived in Point
pheasant he had less than nothing,
for he was $50 in debit ande the
property he has since acquired,
including some of the most.yalua
ble real estate in the city. has been
earned by hard and Conscientious
work and maintained by skillful
management, against which re-
verses the most untoward were
powerless to act harmfully and
now, with the SHOWS of over sixty
winters silvering his hair, slough
neither daunting his spirit dull
ing his resolution, nor bunting
his energies, he enjoys the respect
of the community with which he.
has been so long and honorably
identified, and there is not one
but wishes him lengthy life in.
] which. at ease. to have and to- en-