Land in the area was laid out into lots by Joseph Graham. At the time, 15th Street was named Centre Street, Eoff was 5th, and Jacob was 6th (until around 1873-74, when Wheeling streets were renamed with their current names). Below is the sequence of deed records for the property now known as 55 15th Street.

 

• Aug 9, 1827: Multiple lots were purchased in the name of Deborah Tanner, wife of Wheeling physician James Tanner (c. 1796-1858) from Joseph Graham.

 

• Sept 1, 1827: Robert Hamilton (c. 1791-1871) purchased Lots 29 and 32 from James Tanner and Deborah Tanner, his wife, for $250. The description states, “60 feet in front and 100 feet back, together with all the hereditaments and appurtenances.

 

• May 11, 1829: Samuel Mills purchased Lots 29 and 32 from Robert Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth for $2900. Description – “together with all the buildings, privileges, and appurtenances thereto belonging.”

Note: This sale represents a large increase in value from the prior sale just a year and a half before, and the description includes a reference to “buildings.” Perhaps the existing buildings date from that time.

 

• Apr 4, 1836: John Fisher (perhaps c. 1776-1862) purchased Lots 29 and 32 from Samuel Mills and his wife Elizabeth for $6000. Description – “together with all the houses, outhouses, and buildings thereon.”

Note: This sale also represents a large increase in value, but the time since that prior sale was 7 years. Thus, inflation could account for the increase. Later descriptions refer to “tenements in Fisher’s Row.” There was no John Fisher listed in the 1839 Wheeling City Directory. There are five men by the name of John Fisher in the next available Wheeling City Directory, dated 1843. One was a bookseller and stationer, one a blacksmith, one had a store, and the others had no occupations listed.

 

• May 18, 1843: Samuel Atkinson became the trustee of John Fisher “to pay debts.”

 

• Jul 1, 1844: Lots 29 and 32 are sold at auction for $2625, “with Benjamin Sanborn being the highest bidder.”

 

• Jul 1, 1844: Daniel C. List (1819-1905), a banker, purchased lots 29-32 for $656.25 from Samuel Atkinson, trustee for John Fisher.

Note: Why was the price so different and on the same day? Perhaps the earlier sale actually included additional property?

 

• Jul 10, 1846: Benjamin Sanborn purchased Lots 29-32 for $1968.75 from Daniel C. List. The description states “two lots of ground with their appurtenances.”

 

• Aug 7, 1847: William Beymer’s heirs (Christiana M. Beymer, Frederick & WilliamAnna Beymer, and Mary Eleanor Beymer) purchased #55 for $550.

Note: The description states “house #2 of the block or row of brick buildings called Fisher’s Row.” This mention of “brick” buildings suggests that the current building dates back at least to 1847. The 1851 City Directory shows John Beymer, tinner, living on Centre, between 5th and 6th. The 1856 City Directory shows Fred Beymer, printer, William Beymer, saddler, William Beymer, salesman, and Z. A. Beymer, clerk, living on the north side of Centre between 5th and 6th. [By the time of the 1864 Directory, John Beymer lived at 239 Main; and William Beymer, clerk, and Z.A. Beymer, clerk, lived on 5th, between Monroe (12th) and Quincy (14th)]

 

• Apr 20, 1865: John Reid (c. 1829-1893) of Wellsburg purchased #55 for $995 from Benjamin A. and Christiana Biggs, Mary E. Beymer, Frederick  Beymer & his wife, and Louis and WilliamAnna Artz.

Note: The 1867-68 City Directory shows John Reid living on the north side of Centre, between 5th and 6th.

 

• Sept 25, 1869: Joseph Bodley purchased #55 for $1500. The property description states “house called #2 of the block known as Fisher’s Row.”

Note: Joseph A. Bodley (c. 1828-1897) was listed as a contractor on his death certificate. His residence at that time, and in earlier city directories, is shown as 69 15th Street, suggesting that he didn’t live in #55. The 1870 Sanborn map shows the row of houses on the north side of Centre Street, between 5th and 6th.

 

• Feb 28, 1872: Jessie Hall purchased #55 for $1600. The property description states “house called #2 of the block known as Fisher’s Row.”

 

• Dec 17, 1873: Joseph Bodley again purchased #55, this time for $1600.

Note: The deed for the adjacent house states that it is “next to house formerly owned by Beymer and occupied by D. Lady.” City Directories don’t show a D. Lady at #55. The 1880 Sanborn map clearly shows six separate structures numbered 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, and 61 15th Street.

 

• Feb 8, 1883: C. F. Brandfass purchased “three tenements,” #53, 55, and 57, for $5000 from Joseph A. Bodley and his wife Lucretia A.Bodley.

Note: Charles F. Brandfass (1851-1922) was listed as President of Tobacco Company on his death certificate. He resided at 529 Main Street and died in an automobile accident.

 

• Sept 16, 1903: Minnie (nee Stratton) St. Myers (1866-1952) purchased the property from C.F. Brandfass and his wife Mary Brandfass.

Note: Minnie’s husband, George St. Myers (1863-1923), was listed as a conductor in the 1904-05 City Directory. He is listed as a Conductor/Penn RR Co on his death certificate (1923) and is shown as residing at 55 15th Street at that time. His widow, Minnie St. Myers remained in the house until her death (1952).

The 1921-22 Sanborn map is the first one found showing one larger building to the west of #55 15th. Apparently the first of the Fisher Row tenements was torn down at some point prior to 1921-22 to make room for the single building that stands there now.

 

• Nov 26, 1952: William F. and Hazel M. Crumpler purchased the property from the executrix of the will of Minnie St. Myers.

Note: The Crumplers lived on Wheeling Island; William Crumpler’s occupation was listed as carpenter. The 1953 City Directory indicates that 55 15th Street was vacant. In the remaining years that the Crumplers owned the property, city directories indicate that Florence Rouse, a nurse at Ohio Valley General Hospital, lived there.

 

• Oct 2, 1972: Roy C. and M.E. Harmon purchased the property from William F. and Hazel M. Crumpler.

Note: Roy Harmon was a podiatrist, whose office was at 55 15th Street; his home is listed in Meadow Estates. The 2013 City Directory shows 55 15th Street as the residence of Mary Harmon.

 

The Friends of Wheelng tour was a "before" look at 55, 57, and 59 15th Street.

 

Prepared by Jeanne Finstein

Friends of Wheeling

June 14, 2014

 

Photos by Joanne Sullivan