Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-23
Louis c. Stifel is dead.


Louis G. Stifel is dead.
The injuries which he received in
the accident which resulted from his
attempt to alight from moving w. &
E. G.. train Tuesday night, as detailed
in the Register, were more serious than
at first supposed. AS is frequently
the case, the shock proved more serious
than the actual injuries. After his
arm was amputated, the unfortunate
man rallied somewhat and talked to
the relatives who stood at MS bedside.
The attending physicians and his host
OF warm friends entertained hope OF
his speedy recovery, but when the re-
action came he sank rapidly, and
passed away early yesterday morning.
The news of his death came as a
severe shock to his friends, particular
ly to those who had conversed with
him and found him in excellent health
and spirits few hours before. Few
men in the community were more
widely known or held in higher es-
TEEN.
In the death of Mr. Stifel, the COM
munity loses a public spirited citizen.
He was earnest in his advocacy and
support OF every measure which ne
considered conducive to the pubic
good, but his modesty prevented him
from taking prominent part IN
movements of this character. He
never turned deaf ear to solicitations
for a deserving cause, whether 1t were
a business or social matter, or an ap-
peal for charity. He was actuated in
all he did by his sense OF right, and
his integrity of character was never
called INTO question. Although life
long Democrat, he was always conser-
vative. If he had sought political
position, the number Of his warm
friends justifies the statement that he
might have had anything within the
gift of the neople. He was elected a
member of he State Legislature in
1869, and from 1871 to 1874 was a MEM
Der of the Board of Education. Sub
sequently he declined to be q candidate
for any position, although always man
ifesting a lively interest il politics.
These who knew Mr.. Stifel best ap-
preciated the social side Of his nature.
He was always genial and companion
able, warm-hearted and generous. He
was a member of the AriOn, the repre-
sentative German-American social Or
ganization Of this city, and at the time
Of his death was president of the
society. He manifested a great in
terest in this club, and his advice was
frequently sought and valued.
Mr.. Stifel was a son Of John Louis
Stifel, native of Wurtemberg, Ger
many, and one of the early German
residents of wheeling. Mr.. j. l.. Sti-
fel was dyer by trade, and also
learned the art Of calico printing. He
came TO America in 1888, settling in
Philadelphia, and subsequently, NOV
ing to Bethlehem, Pa, where he
worked in the wooden mills. He
walked to this city, arriving in 1884,
and with a very limited capital opened
a small dying establishment. In 1885
he was married to Barbara Becht, then
a resident of Steubenville. Mr.. Stifel
began to enlarge his business, purchas-
ing calico from local merchants and
printing it by hand. He is said to have
conducted the first establishment in
the United States for printing yard
wide indigo blue calico.
IN 1874 Mr.. Stifel removed his fac
tory to the present location at the
corner Of Ninth and Main streets, and
his sons, Louis c.. and William F., be-
came partners under the firm name Of
j. L. Stifel & Sons, which has never
been changed. From time to time i'm
provements were made in the print
works, I'D to 1870, when the senior
Stifel retired from the business. The
plant has been enlarged and improved
since and now furnishes employment
to a large number of persons. Mr.. j..
l.. Stifel was prominent in all local at
fairs, and held several positions of
honor and trust He died in 1881.
Mr.. Louis C. Stifel was born in
Wheeling September 30, 1888, and was
therefore in the siXtieth year of his
age at the time CT his death. He was
one of a family OF eleven children, of
whom but three survive him They
are: William F., who was associated
with Louis C. in the calico works;
Charles G., of Allegheny, partner in
the Keller & Sufel tannery; and Geo.
E., the dry goods merchant. Another
brother, DR. A. F. Stlfel, died a few
years ago. Mr.. William Sifel was in
the East at the time Of the accident,
and returned home last night.
Mr. Stifel was married August 6,
1857, to Elizabeth Stamm, who died in
1882, leaving six children. 1t was
while on his way to attend birthday
celebration by his wife's mother that
Mr. Stifel met with the accident which
caused his death. Two sons and five
daughters survive him. They are Ed.
ward W and Henry G., who are en-
gagged as chemists with the calico
works; Marie, wife of Dr.. Oscar Bur-
Cats; and Misses Laura, Cornelia and
Elizabeth.
Mr.. Stifels business career has been
marked by energy. enterprise and up
right methods. The calico works has
extended it's trade and increased its
capacity. The tact and ability which
he displayed in the conduct of his
own business led to his association
with others in various enterprises. He
was a Director in the Wheeling Steel
and Iron Company, the Franklin In
surance Company, the old Belmont
glass works, the Wheeling & Belmont