Mr. Lazear was born in Brooke County in 1831 and grew into manhood on the farm once owned by HENRY WELLS. Following the footsteps of his father, he pursued the calling of a farmer for years. Sometime after the close of the Civil War, he moved to Wellsburg or rather to a suburb and engaged in a different line of business.
....he founded the town of Lazearville, now the Fourth Ward of Wellsburg. This town was on the GEORGE COX farm which he bought, laying it out in lots at different prices, according to location. Four of these lots sold for $21.00 each and the highest price lot sold for $65.00.
....he was one of the principal directors in getting the P.W. & Ky. branch railroad through Wellsburg in the 1870's, and he was one of the prime movers in the construction of the street car line from Wellsburg to Bethany.
....in 1886, he organized a company and built the LAZEARVILLE GLASS WORKS, which he directed for two years. He withdrew from this firm and moved to Kansas City, Mo. where he remained for two years. Returning to Wellsburg, he built the LAZEARVILLE CANNING WORKS, which, after one successful season, was destroyed by fire in 1892.
Mr. Lazear added much to the attractiveness of the city by many improvements.
The subject of this sketch was born in Brooke county, W. Va., in 1831, and grew into manhood on the farm now owned by Henry Wells. Following the footsteps of his father he pursued the honorable calling of a farmer for years. He is endowed with a wonderful amount of energy, is thoroughly progressive, and can always be found co-operating with any enterprise looking to the development of his city.
He founded the town of Lazearville and was one of the principal directors in getting the P. C. C. & St. L. railroad through Wellsburg.
In 1886 he organized a company and built the Lazear Glass Works, which was conducted by him for 2 years. He then withdrew from the firm and moved to Kansas City, Mo., where he remained for two years, returning again to old familiar scenes. He built the Lazear Canning Works, which after one successful season was totally destroyed by fire in 1892. He then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits until 1898, when he organized a company and built the Lazear Canning Works, which has just closed a very successful season. The present officers are: Mr. H. G. Lazear, President and manager; A. R. Murphy, Vice President; A. H. Caldwell, Secretary and Treasurer.
This new industry has prospect of a bright future. They employ 30 hands; can tomatoes, pumpkins and all kinds of fruits and vegetables.
In 1856 Mr. Lazear was married to Miss Kate Beall, of Washington county, Pa., a woman of refined taste and culture, whose death, January 2, 1899, was the cause of much sorrow in this community.
Mr. Lazear has been a trustee of the Presbyterian Church for many years, and has served 20 years as superintendent of its Sunday school. He has added much to the attractiveness of the city by the beautiful homes he has built. His first residence in town was that now owned by J. G. Jacob, on Pleasant avenue. He then built the handsome home now owned by J. T. Douglas. After living there five years he sold the place and erected the beautiful residence in Lazearville now owned by Mr. J. E. Curtis. In addition to being an enterprising citizen he also has an ear for music, and is the "father" of the Lazear Orchestra. He is a favorite with all, a liberal contributor to charitable and benevolent enterprises, and the world is better for him living in it.