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

Typed by Carol Taylor Lanza.

Page 758

MICHAEL L. FREISMUTH is one of the oldest and best barbers and 
hairdressers in the city of Wheeling, West Virginia, and has followed 
that trade all his life at his present shop at No. 9 Alley 9, which was 
established over half a century ago.  He is a native of Saverne, 
Alsace, France, where he was born December 17, 1855.

In 1870 Mr. Friesmuth came to America, and located in Wheeling, where 
he immediately became apprenticed in the shop of Victor Sauvageot, one 
of the foremost barbers of the city.  Ten years later, in 1880, he 
succeeded Mr. Sauvageot in the business, and has since conducted a most 
profitable trade among the best class of people in Wheeling.  The 
business was first established by Mr. Sauvageot fifty-three years ago. 

On September 14, 1878, Mr. Freismuth married Elizabeth Raas, a sister-
in-law of his former manager in the business, and a daughter of Martin 
and Barbara Raas, who was born February 27, 1856.  Nine children were 
born to them, as follows:  John; Kate; Joseph; Albert; Elizabeth; 
Eleanora; Regina; Michael, deceased; and William.  The family are 
members of the Catholic church, attending St. Joseph's Cathedral.

Mr. Freismuth is an active member of the Alsace-Lorraine Society.  In 
politics, he is a decided Republican.  He is a trusted business man, 
who was made his way to the front, and is one of Wheeling's most valued 
citizens.