From "History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and 
Representative Citizens," by Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer, 1902. 

Typed by Laurie Birks Dean

pp. 434-436

William C. MEYER, attorney-at-law and member of the well-known law 
firm of Meyer & Nesbitt, of Wheeling, West Virginia, was the first 
Republican prosecuting attorney ever elected in Ohio county, and 
filled that office in an eminently satisfactory manner for a four-
years term.  Mr. Meyer was born in Ohio county, West Virginia, June 
23, 1865, and is a son of William P. and Louisa (Helmbright) Meyer, 
highly respected citizens of Wheeling.
	William P. Meyer was born in Brunswick, Germany, May 27, 1836, 
and is a son of Henry and Caroline Meyer, both of whom are deceased.  
His father died at sea while on his way to America to see his 
children.  His mother died in Germany, aged about sixty-five years.  
William P. Meyer is one of a family of 11 children, six of whom are 
deceased.  Those living besides himself are:  Lewis, Charles, 
Henrietta and Hannah.  Lewis is a resident of Lockport, New York, and 
Charles lives at Bridgeport, Ohio.  Henrietta is the wife of Louis 
Ambrecht, and Hannah is Mrs. B. Shott, both residents of Wheeling.
	William P. Meyer came to the United States in 1852, landing at 
Baltimore, Maryland.  He proceeded to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and a 
little later to Wheeling, which has been his home ever since.  Soon 
after his arrival in this city he commenced work with Louis 
Seabright, a butcher, for whom he worked eleven years, severing his 
connection with that gentleman only to enter into the same business 
for himself.  With the exception of three years he continued to 
follow that occupation up to January 1, 1902, at which time he 
retired from active business.  His residence is at No. 3735 Jacob 
street.  He is an ardent Republican in politics, is largely 
interested in municipal affairs, and has served as councilman for 
eight years.  Both he and his wife are members of St. Paul's German 
Independent Evangelical Protestant church and Mr. Meyer was president 
of the church organization for several years.  On March 31, 1861, he 
was joined in marriage with Louisa Helmbright, a native of Germany, 
and a daughter of Frederick and Caroline Helmbright, who came to the 
United States in June, 1858.
	Mr. Helmbright and family proceeded to  Wheeling, West 
Virginia.  He was a puddler by trade and worked in Bell's foundry, 
after locating in Wheeling, where he was employed in the top bar mill 
for many years.  His death took place April 12, 1886, at the advanced 
age of seventy-eight years.  His widow survived until May 14, 1898, 
when she too passed away, having almost reached the age of eighty-
seven years.  William C. Meyer's mother is also one of a family of 11 
children, four of whom died in the old country in early childhood.  
The others are:  Henry, who died January 25, 1901, aged sixty-one 
years; Louisa, the mother of the subject of this sketch; Julia, now 
Mrs. Henry Kalbitzer, a resident of Wheeling; Hannah, who was born 
January 25, 1843, married Charles Pfaffenbach, and died August 24, 
1883; Augusta, now Mrs. Solomon Arbenz; Lewis, a prominent cigar-
maker of Wheeling; and Charles, who resides on Market street of the 
same city.
	William C. Meyer is an only son, and is one of a family of 
three children.  His sisters, Emma and Louisa Jane, reside at home; 
the latter is a graduate of the Wheeling public schools and of 
Bethany College, - she is now a teacher of Latin and history in the 
Wheeling High School.
	William C. Meyer had superior educational advantages; he 
attended the public schools of Wheeling until he attained the age of 
sixteen years.  This was supplemented by a thorough course in the 
Wheeling Business College, from which he was graduated in 1882.  From 
1882 to 1888, he clerked for the Peabody Insurance Company, of 
Wheeling, and was promoted to be assistant secretary of that company.
	By this time he had fully decided to fit himself for the 
profession of law as his life work, and resigned his position with 
the insurance company to enter West Virginia University, at 
Morgantown, from which he was graduated in 1893, with the degree of 
A. B.  He then attended the Yale University Law School, at New Haven, 
Connecticut, from which he was graduated in 1895.
	Mr. Meyer then returned to Wheeling, passed his examinations 
and was admitted to the bar of Ohio county, September 8, 1895.  He 
began the practice of his profession, and continued alone for, 
perhaps, a year and a half.  In the early part of 1897 the present 
partnership of Meyer & Nesbitt was formed.
	On November 6, 1896, Mr. Meyer was elected prosecuting attorney 
of Ohio county, and served until the expiration of his term, January 
1, 1901, when he was succeeded by his law partner.  Since that time 
Mr. Meyer has attended mainly to the civil business, and enjoys a 
splendid practice in Wheeling and its vicinity.  The offices of Meyer 
& Nesbitt are located in the Public Building.
	December 22, 1898, Mr. Meyer was united in marriage with 
Margaret Morris Donley, of Morgantown, West Virginia, and their 
residence is at No. 37 Fifteenth street.  Socially, Mr. Meyer is very 
popular and affiliates with several fraternal societies, among them 
the Mason and the Elks.  He is also a member of the Phi Kappa Psi 
college fraternity, and is a charter member of West Virginia Alpha 
Chapter.  Both he and Mrs. Meyer are members of the First 
Presbyterian church, of Wheeling, and enjoy a high standing, socially 
and otherwise.