Early Businesses of Moundsville (SIGNED)

In 1891, Moundsville, West Virginia attracted many businesses to the “booming” economy of that time. These business leaders saw an opportunity to become prosperous as the community had the necessary ingredients to develop a successful business venture. The Shaw family saw an opportunity to start a newspaper business in the community. While others like the Dalzell’s with Fostoria Glass, the Beam’s with a drugstore, the Bloyd’s in clothing and the Grisell’s with the funeral business, would all try to create new businesses in this river town. Today, only two of these businesses still survive. But their effect on our home town memories is lasting. We all read the Echo, or would work at Fostoria Glass for a short time before getting other jobs in the town or make the glass business a lifelong career. Students remember going to Beam’s drugstore for a cherry soda or having your parents take you to WV Clothing and have the staff help you select new clothing. The Grisell’s were providing a service that helped a family get through the toughest time in their lives and were and still are a “class act.” The legacy left by these families still survives in a Cultural Arts Center, a walking trail, public buildings and community mentoring for church and civic organizations and projects. These early families helped shape our town and provided invaluable leadership when it was needed.

Gary Rider is a retired public school teacher in Marshall County, West Virginia. He is the author of the series Marshall County Patriots and Heroes and Marshall County Postcard History. Rider is currently employed as a part-time staff member of the Moundsville Public Library. Roseanna Dakan Keller is retired from Bayer where she was the Human Resources Director. She is now involved in Marshall County Schools as a Foster Grandparent Volunteer at Washington Lands Elementary School and a Patient Volunteer at Valley Hospice. Keller is the co-author of the series Marshall County Patriots and Heroes