From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, page 218.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


JACOB BEISWANGER

Among the old and well-known German citizens of the Eighth ward of 
Wheeling is Jacob Beiswanger, who for about thirty years was engaged 
in the butcher busines.  Mr. Beiswanger was born in the kingdom of 
Wurtemberg, July 12, 1824.  He was raised by a butcher in his native 
town and learned that trade, which he followed until coming to 
America.  He escaped going into the army by drawing the lucky number 
when the time came for recruiting from his neighborhood.  He was 
married in the old country in 1849 to Rosina Harpfer, and to them 
several children were born while in Germany.  In 1854 he emigrated to 
the United States, bringing his family with him.  He came direct to 
Wheeling when he got into this country, and has since resided here.  
Being without much money he was unable to go at once at butchering, 
and so worked around for several years at one thing and another, and 
then began butchering, opening a shop and butchering on a very small 
scale.  About 1860 he began operations on a larger scale, getting a 
wagon and supplying customers at their doors.  From that time on he 
was regularly in the business until about 1886, when he quit business 
and retired from active life.  He met with success and accumulated 
money and real estate.  He is a member of Stephonis Lutheran church.  
His first wife died April 15, 1870.  Eight children were born to this 
union, all of whom are living.  In May, 1871, he was again married, 
to Elizabeth Boedke, and to this union seven children have been born, 
six of whom survive.  


(Linda Fluharty)