From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, pages 403-404.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


CAPTAIN WILLIAM PRINCE

Captain William Prince, of Wheeling, is one of those who are 
prominently connected with the river commerce and transportation 
which has contributed in so considerable a degree to the progress of 
the city.  Captain Prince was born about two miles above Wheeling, 
August 15, 1833, and is the son of William Prince, one of the early 
settlers of the upper Ohio valley.  The latter was born in 
Staffordshire England, and there grew to manhood, and was married to 
Ann Shirley.  In 1829, acccompanied by their son and three daughters, 
the parents came to America, and by stages over the Alleghanies 
reached Wheeling, where they lived about two years before moving to 
their country residence, known as the Andrew Woods farm.  Later in 
life they returned to Wheeling.  The mother died in 1854, and the 
father in 1857.  Six daughters and four sons were born to them, and 
the sons alone are living at this time.  When not quite sixteen years 
of age, Capt. William Prince had his first experience as a river man, 
making a trip on a coal boat to New Orleans, in the spring of 1849.  
At that time coal was floated down the river, and the trip was a long 
one from Pittsburgh to New Orleans.  Captain Prince continued in the 
employment of the Pittsburgh firm for which he began work, for a 
period of thirteen years, floating coal during all that time.  In 
1862 he quit that employment and began steamboating, at which he has 
since been engaged.  In 1876 he and Samuel Coughland built the "Iron 
Valley," a tow boat, and Mr. Prince became for the first time a 
captain, which position he has since filled.  The "Iron Valley" blew 
up in August, 1879, and the owners built the "Belle Prince," which 
they now conduct in the towing trade.  Of this Mr. Prince is half 
owner and captain.  Captain Prince is a worthy gentleman, highly 
esteemed by the community, and he and wife are active members of the 
Methodist church.  He was married May 28, 1854, to Belle Cloee, of 
Wheeling, and they had six sons and four daughters born to them, of 
whom two of the sons are deceased.  


(Linda Fluharty)