From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, pages 306-307.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


WILLIAM C. HANDLAN

William C. Handlan was born in Wheeling, W. Va., then Virginia, April 
25, 1823.  At the age of nineteen years he was employed as a clerk in 
the Beef and Pork Inspection House of John Bozant, of New Orleans, 
La.  He filled various clerical positions in this house for seven 
years.  In 1850 he went west and settled in Pike county, Ill.  Here 
he was engaged, in the town of New Canton, in the merchandising and 
pork-packing business.  In March, 1852, he went overland to 
California, and returned to Wheeling June 23, 1853.  Immediately 
after returning home he entered into a business partnership with his 
brothers, John and Augustine, and for twelve years managed the 
Handlan store.  They carried on an extensive and lucrative business. 
In 1865 he formed a partnership with Oliver Pryor in the wholesale 
grain and provision business.  One yearlater Pryor died, and Mr. 
Handlan then entered into a co-partnership with his brother John. 
This firm operated a very large business in provisions until the time 
of John Handlan's death in 1880.  In 1884, Mr. Handlan was elected 
sheriff of Ohio county, and during his incumbency of this 
distinguished and responsible office collected and disbursed about 
$1,000,000.  The following extract from the WHEELING INTELLIGENCER, 
of September 7, 1889, speaks volumes for Mr. Handlan's efficiency.  
The article is headed, "A quick and satisfactory settlement.  Ex-
Sheriff Handlan made a final settlement with Clerk Woods, of the 
board of commissioners, yesterday. It was found that the county was 
indebted to him $87.17.  The smallness of the amount goes to show 
that the business of the office has been very carefully conducted.  
Mr. Handlan has received many deserved compliments upon his faithful 
and efficient administration of affairs, and it may be said here, 
that this settlement is more satisfactory, and is concluded at an 
earlier date after the expiration of the term, than has ever before 
been made with any occupant of the sheriff's office."  For a number 
of years Mr. Handlan was president of the town council of the town of 
South Wheeling, now the Eighth ward, and was president at the time 
the town was annexed to the city of Wheeling.  He was elected a 
member of the first branch, of council, at the first election, and 
served four years.  At the expiration of this time he was elected to 
the second branch, of which he was elected president.  During his 
chairmanship of the committee on fire department, he created the paid 
fire department, and put up the fire alarm telegraph.  To him the 
honor belongs for introducing and carrying through council the 
ordinance abolishing the iniquitous "fee system" of the city 
sergeant, and substituting in its stead a salary for that official.  
Under the old system the more arrests that were made the more money 
for the sergeant.  He also succeeded in securing the passage of an 
act by the legislature, changing the "fee system" of the clerk of the 
police court to that of a salary.  Few men have accomplished more for 
the public weal of the city than the subject of this biography.  A 
broad-minded, public-spirited man, his unflagging labors in behalf of 
the city's good will be remembered by the children of the coming 
generations.  Mr. Handlan was an elector-at-large for West Virginia 
on the democratic ticket.  He has been twice married.  His first wife 
was Rebecca Johnson, whom he married in 1850.  The children of 
this marriage are:  Mary Locke, Augustina, Eugenia Baptista and John 
Brown, the latter deceased.  The second wife was Annie E. Woods, whom 
he married February 12, 1863, by her he had the following named 
children:  Agnes Jane, Helena, Francis (deceased), J. Bernard, James 
Thales, Clair and Eulalia (twins, the last named now dead), and Anna 
Blanche.   J. Bernard is in business in Wheeling at the present 
writing, and James is in business in Washington, D. C. 


(Linda Fluharty)