617 Main Street

 

Deed records for this property date back to at least 1836, when Hannah Pemberton, widow of James Pemberton, sold several parcels to Neil McNaughten for a total of $800. The individual lot – “Part of Lot 6, Square A of the Jonathan Zane Addition” – was sold by Thomas Sweeney, representing the estate of Neil McNaughten, in 1867 to William Rainey for $600. In 1886, Eliza Rainey, unmarried, sold the property to Mrs. Mary Ann Colvig and her heirs for $2500. This significant increase in price would suggest that the house was built at some time between 1867 and 1886. However, there are no residents of the property named Rainey during that time period.

 

In 1892, the property transferred to Anna L. Sage “for the term of her life or until the youngest of her children becomes 21 years of age.” 

 

Robert Engelhardt purchased this property for $2500 in 1900 from a group of people: Anna Laura and J.A. Sage; Mary A. and G.W. Gwynn; Marsden L. and Anna W. Colvig; and Will H. and Virgie Hart Colvig. Neither the Sages nor Gwynns are listed in city directories at that time (J.A. Sage died in 1912 in Columbus, Georgia); both Colvigs were milliners who had residences and businesses at 1044 and 1056 Main Street at that time, suggesting that the house at 617 Main didn’t exist or was rental property.

 

German immigrant Engelhardt  (1866 – 1939) was a decorator for Wheeling Decorating. He lived with his wife Clara at 617 Main until his death, at age 72. It appears that Clara then rented the property to others until she sold it in 1946 to Roy S. and May Turner. Clara Engelhardt’s residence at that time is listed as Detroit, Michigan. Roy Turner’s occupation was listed as “driver.”

 

Woodrow and Margaret Kennedy purchased the property from the Turners in 1953. Kennedy was a machinist for Continental Foundry and Machine Company and later for Blaw Knox.

 

In 1981, Anthony L. and Roni Miller purchased the property. Miller was a warehouseman with Gee Electric. The Millers sold the property three years later to John M. and Lillie B. Showalter. He was listed in the city directory as an employee of Toland Remodeling.

 

The current owner, Scott Owen, has begun extensive work on the house.

 

Prepared by Jeanne Finstein, Friends of Wheeling

August 4, 2015

 

Sources:

            Ohio County Deed Records

            Wheeling City Directories

            Ohio County Death Records

            Family Search Website

 

Photos by Joanne Sullivan