From "History of Wheeling City and Ohio County, West Virginia and  
Representative Citizens," by Hon. Gibson Lamb Cranmer, 1902. 
 
Typed by E.J. Heinemann 
 
p. 641 
 
JOSEPH HERDEN, an esteemed citizen of Elm Grove, West Virginia, is  
doing a very successful business in that prosperous town, where he has  
lived during the past four years.  He is a German by birth, and was  
born in 1850. 
     In 1878, he decided to go to America and try his fortune.  He  
accordingly crossed the ocean and in 1879 arrived in Wheeling, by way  
of Canada.  For five years he followed coal mining, and then tried his  
luck as a shoemaker for the five years following.  During these years  
he saved his money and, after leaving the shoemaker's trade, embarked  
in business for himself at Fulton, which he carried on for four years  
with the best success. 
     Mr. Herden then went to Benwood, where he kept a restaurant and 
saloon, and enjoyed quite a good business.  Four years ago, he moved to 
Elm Grove and engaged in his present occupation.  He is very successful 
and is considered a law abiding and dutiful citizen. 
     Our subject was married to Ernestine Mende in 1877.  She died 
February 8, 1890.  On February 30, 1898, he was united in marriage with 
Caroline Schacht, of Wheeling.  He and his wife are liberal in their 
religious views.   Mr. Herden is held in high esteem among his fellow 
citizens, as an honorable, industrious and enterprising man.