EDWARD C. SEABRIGHT

Edward C. Seabright, an enterprising and progressive young business 
man of Wheeling, is sole proprietor of the merchant tailoring house 
established by his father, which does a larger business than any like 
establishment in the state of West Virginia.  He was born in 
Wheeling, April 5, 1872, and is a son of Charles W. Seabright, who 
was one of Wheeling's most distinguished citizens at the time of his 
death.

Charles W. Seabright was born in Burnswick, Germany, October 11, 
1836.  His father was a contractor in the German mail service, in 
which Charles was employed for four years previous to his emigration 
from his native country.  He came to Wheeling in 1849, having landed 
in Baltimore on July 1 of that year.  A brother had located in this 
city a couple of months before his arrival and had engaged in the 
meat business, and Charles joined him, but did not find the work 
congenial, so on September 1, 1849, he entered the employ of Thomas 
Hughes, who then conducted a large merchant tailoring establishment 
on Water street, just north of Twelfth street, with the intention of 
learning the tailoring trade.  After a few days' work on the bench 
the errand boy in the concern left and young Seabright was called 
down stairs to take his place.  Mr. Seabright continued with the firm 
for twenty-one years and five months, and from his humble position 
rose to that of head clerk, in which capacity he was serving at the 
time he left this employ.  February 1, 1871, he formed a partnership 
with Charles Pfaffenbach in the merchant tailoring business, and in 
less than a year the latter retired.  Mr. Seabright then secured a 
partner in the person of C. A. Schmulbach, the firm name becoming 
Seabright & Company.  He purchased his partner's interest the 
following year, and thenceforth conducted the business alone, 
although Frank Gruse was largely interested in it for a time.  The 
business was very successful from the start, amounting to as much as 
$60,000 or $70,000 per annum, and 35 to 40 hands were employed at 
times.

Charles W. Seabright was an uncompromising Democrat, and took a great 
interest in public affairs.  In 1881 he was the Democratic candidate 
for mayor of Wheeling, and was elected, defeating Hon. B. B. Dovener 
by 96 votes.  Two years later he was again a candidate and his 
majority was 638.  During that time, in pursuance of legislative 
enactment, the mayor was made judge of the police court, and Mayor 
Seabright was the first city executive to fill that responsible 
position and have a salary.

Mr. Seabright was a member of Zion's Evangelical Lutheran church.  He 
belonged to several secret organizations, among them Wheeling Lodge, 
No. 28, B. P. O. E., and also was a member of the German Pioneer 
Society.  He took an active interest in German-American affairs, and 
was a familiar and well-known figure at all gatherings and outings 
where the German element predominated as well as in distinctively 
American assemblages.  By virtue of his offices and standing in the 
community, he was often a conspicuous and prominent figure at public 
meetings of many sorts, and made numerous addresses on occasions of 
importance, both in Wheeling and elsewhere.  On the occasion of the 
national reunion of volunteer firemen at San Francisco several years 
ago Mr. Seabright was a prominent figure, and his genial personality 
secured him much attention.  In 1861 he was united in marriage with 
Isabella O'Callahan, of Sisterville, West Virginia.  She died in 
1877, leaving three children, of whom but one is now living, Edward 
C., the subject of this sketch.  On February 13, 1896, Mr. Seabright 
was married to Mrs. Sarah McGough, of Baltimore, who is also 
deceased.  The death of Mr. Seabright removed from the community 
probably the best known man in it, and he is mourned by many hundreds 
of people who were his personal friends.  His portrait is shown on a 
preceding page in connection with this sketch.

Edward C. Seabright attended the public schools of Wheeling, and at 
the age of eighteen years entered the merchant tailoring 
establishment conducted by his father.  he learned the business with 
great thoroughness, and as sole proprietor since his father's 
decease, has maintained the success which the house has always 
enjoyed.  It is located on the corner of Main and Twenty-second 
streets, and commands the most extensive trade in the state.  Mr. 
Seabright is a man of high intelligence and recognized business 
ability.  Fraternally, he is a member of Wheeling Lodge, No. 28, B. 
P. O. E., and belongs to the Arion Association and the Carroll Club.  
In Politics he is Democrat.

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

(Janice Davis)