From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, page 390.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


JOHN NIEHAUS

John Niehaus, one of the oldest grocers of Wheeling, was born in 
Prussia, March 25, 1828, the only child reared by John and Elizabeth 
Niehaus.  With them he came to America in 1846, embarking at Bremen 
June 6, and landing at Baltimore, whence they came directly to 
Wheeling, reaching there in the latter part of August, 1846.  At that 
city the father died July 31, 1862, and the mother in April, 1869.  
Mr. Niehaus was first employed at Wheeling, in the Top rolling mill, 
from August, 1846, until May, 1861.  During the following three years 
he was employed in the Belmont Iron works, after which he was in the 
Top mill another period of two years. Meanwhile he had established a 
grocery store on Main street, of which he has since been the 
proprietor.  From 1862 until 1866, the business during his absence 
was conducted by the family.  In the latter named year he retired 
from the mil work and has since given his whole attention to the 
grocery trade, doing business ever since on Main street, and 
occupying for the last nineteen years a two-story brick building at 
No. 400, which he erected in the winter of 1869-70.  Mr. Niehaus was 
married October 18, 1857, to Elizabeth Habig, who was born at 
Wheeling, the daughter of Amatus and Anna Mary Habig, natives of 
Germany.  She is the oldest of their eleven clildren, of whom three 
sons and four daughters are living.  Her father died April 18, 1865, 
from injuries received in an explosion at the Top mill.  Mr. and Mrs. 
Niehaus have had the following children: Henry, John, Joseph, Mary 
(deceased), Dorothea, Amelia (deceased), Peter, Andrew (deceased), 
Edward, George and Bernard.  Parents and children are members of the 
Catholic church. 


(Linda Fluharty)