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

Typed by Laurie Birks Dean 

pp. 527-528
JACOB W. GRUBB, a prominent jeweler and optician of Wheeling, West 
Virginia, has his place of business at No. 1306 Market street, and 
enjoys the patronage of the leading residents of the city and its 
vicinity.  He was born at Bridgeport, Ohio, in August, 1850, and is a 
son of Capt. Andrew Grubb.
	Capt. Andrew Grubb was a native of Ohio and died in 1889.  He was 
a soldier of the Mexican and Civil Wars and acquitted himself with great 
credit, serving as lieutenant in the former struggle and as captain in 
the latter.  He was united in marriage at St. Clairsville with Miss 
Turk, who is living at the age of seventy years, having a home on the 
Island in Wheeling.  Two children are now living, namely:  Jacob W.; and 
Maggie, who is living with her mother.
	Jacob W. Grubb was reared in Bridgeport, Ohio, but began his 
business career in Wheeling as a clerk in the dry goods line in the 
store of George R. Taylor, where he remained four years.  He then 
entered the employ of Hennegan, Bates & Company, watchmaker and 
jewelers, with whom he learned the trade.  He later purchased the 
business, becoming proprietor in 1877.  The business was started by J. 
T. Scott in 1840, on Main street, and then continued by Hennegan, Bates 
& Company until Mr. Grubb assumed control.  He employs a large force of 
clerks, but gives personal attention to the fitting of glasses, being a 
skilled optician.  In this specialty he has gained an extensive 
reputation throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.  He has 
fitted over 23,000 pairs of glasses and his work has met with general 
satisfaction.  He carries a complete line of jewelry, watches and 
diamonds in his large store, and is inspector of watches on all the 
Baltimore & Ohio lines running into Wheeling.  He is one of the leading 
business men of the city of Wheeling and has many stanch friends.
	Mr. Grubb was united in marriage with Lizzie Delaplain, a daughter 
of Louis S. Delaplain, who organized the dry goods company, of which 
Hullihen Quarrier is the present head.  This is the oldest business 
house in its line in the country conducted under its original name.  Mr. 
Grubb resides at Echo Point, where he has a beautiful home.  He and his 
wife have four children:  Mamie, wife of Frank Waterhouse; Louis D.; 
Jacob W., Jr.; and Elizabeth.  In politics, he has always supported the 
Republican party, and was the first Republican mayor of Wheeling, being 
elected to that office in 1885.  He is a member of the Masonic order, 
being a Knight Templar and Shriner.  For years he has been trustee of 
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.  In religious attachments, 
he is a member of the Episcopal church.