BIO-CharlesWesleyBrockunier1838-1925

Charles Wesley Brockunier 1838-1925

A Thumbnail Biography by David C. Procuniar

Last updated: 31 Aug 2001

Charles Wesley Brockunier was born 21 May 1838 in St. Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio to the parents of Samuel Roarer & Sara Zane (Clark) Brockunier. Married Elizabeth Caldwell Brady 25 Oct 1865, the daughter of Hugh & Mary (Caldwell) Brady. Together they had six children.

Elizabeth Brockunier was elected Regent of the West Virginia Society of the D.A.R.

Charles was known as the Glass Manufacture Of Wheeling W.V. & died 15 January 1925.

Children: (6)

Charles W. JR born 21 July 1866, died 3 October 1883

Samuel Hugh SR born 30 October 1868, died 1931 in Sewickley, Pa. Samuel H. was a Mining Engineer & in 1938 was an Editor for Websters New Dictionary.

Mary Georgianna born 24 January 1871

Elizabeth Shirley born 1 June 1873 Wheeling, WV. married Wilson Ferguson

Elbert Hoggs born 23 May 1874, Wheeling, WV died 23 February 1885

Sarah Zane Brockunier 10 Apr 1879, Ohio, married George Howard Forsyth

Children: (1)

George Howard Forsyth II born 02 Sep 1901 in Highland Park, ILL

The following is from the Wheeling West Virginia Register newspaper dated January 16, 1925 .......

C. W. Brockunier, Former Wheeling Man, is Called, Was one of Wheeling's Pioneer Manufacturers and Oil Men.

Charles W. Brockunier, aged 87, a retired manufacturer who was formerly one of Wheeling's most successful businessmen and a pioneer in the industrial development of the Ohio Valley, died at 1:30 yesterday morning in Lowell, Massachusetts, where he has made his home in recent years. With him at the time of death was his son, Samuel Hugh Brockunier, of Pittsburgh, who conveyed the news of his father's passing to friends and relatives in this City.

Mr. Brockunier left Wheeling about twenty years ago following his retirement from active participation in business. For some years he was located in the far West.

News of his death will recall to great numbers of persons the active career of Mr. Brockunier which was founded in this city. Mr. Brockunier was one of the principal members of the firm of Hobbs, Brockunier & Company, whose plant was located in South Wheeling, it being a forerunner of the H. Northwood Company. Mr. Brockunier was a pioneer in the development: of oil in West Virginia and in the development of natural gas, and he was president of the Manufactures Natural Gas Company which first brought natural gas to the city of Wheeling. He served in 1893 as a member of the West Virginia state legislature from Ohio county, being elected on the Democratic ticket.

Mr. Brockunier was born at St. Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio on May 21, 1838. He was the son of the Rev. Samuel R. & Sarah Zane (Clark) Brockunier, the latter a granddaughter of Ebenezer Zane. His early education was received in the district schools of Belmont county and later he attended the high school in Allegheny City from which he was graduated. Mr. Brockunier then launched out into the business world beginning as a bookkeeper in a glass company, that of Hobbs & Barner. His ability was such that it was not long before he was a member of the firm, which became known as Hobbs, Brockunier Company.

Mr. Brockunier married Elizabeth Caldwell Brady, a member of the city of Wheeling's best known families. Of the six children that was born to Mr. & Mrs. Brockunier, only two are living, Samuel of Massachusetts and Mrs. Sarah (Brockunier) Murrey of Pittsburgh and New York. Mrs. Brockunier died some years ago.

Another paragraph that was smeared which I could not make out all of it stated that SOMEONE?? arrived from Lowell Sunday __________ will be taken the R_________ M _______ funeral home at ______ _____ street. Arrangements for the services will be announced _________. A telegram from Samuel Brockunier received yesterday, __________ his father will be buried at Greenwood.

During the years passed in this city, Mr. Brockunier was a member of the Fourth Street Methodist Episcopal Church of Wheeling. END

Photo of Charles Wesley Brockunier (Circa 1900)

Photo of some of the Brockunier family glass (made by Hobbs, Brockunier & Company of Wheeling, West Virginia).

Sources:

David C. Procuniar author of this Web Site, 3598 Harry Truman Drive, Beavercreek, OH 45432-2272

The Bragonier Family by Georgiana H. Randall 1969

The Bragunier Family in America by Brittian Bragunier Robinson 1969

First Reformed Church of Hagerstown Maryland church records on LDS micro-film.

Note:

Anything not copyrighted in this publication can be reprinted with permission from the author David C. Procuniar. (It is appreciated if a credit line be given) Certain advertisers and writers may retain copyright on material which will be clearly marked as such. You must contact them about use of their material. Information in this publication was/is obtained from correspondence, newsletters and miscellaneous sources, which, in many cases cannot be verified 100%. In cases where you need to write the author for material, please send along a SASE (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope).