Henry Schmulbach was born on November 12, 1844 in Hessedarmstadt, Germany. In 1852 the Schmulbach family immigrated to the United States and settled in the town of Wheeling, Virginia. Immigration from Germany during this time period was widespread and Wheeling was known for its large German population. From ages ten to sixteen Schmulbach worked as a cabin boy with his uncle, George Fuller. Around the age of seventeen Schmulbach became involved in the grocery business with Fuller. Fuller would retire in 1870 leaving the business to Henry. Soon after this Schmulbach added the wholesale liquor business to his list of entrepreneurial efforts.
During the early years of his life Schmulbach became well known in Wheeling and was regarded as hard working, shrewd businessman. But, what happened on the night of August 14, 1878 at approximately 10 o’clock p.m. would cause a brief time of anxiety in Schmulbach’s life. “Tragedy on the Pike” was how the Daily Intelligencer described the event between Henry Schmulbach and Hamilton R. Foraythe. It seems that Foraythe was racing a team of horses past Stamn’s Four Mile House, a prominent tavern along the National Road. According to the testimony provided by John Fendt, Fednt stopped Foraythe for fear he would cause a wreck on the pike, but Foraythe responded, “I can drive this team.” and proceeded towards Elm Grove. Fendt and another man, Ed Mendel realized the danger of Foraythe’s actions and quickly both men got in a buggy to make an attempt to take the team away from Foraythe. In the opinion of both Fendt and Mendel, Foraythe was intoxicated and driving the team of horses too rapidly. Fendt and Mendel successfuly gained control of Foraythe’s team and returned back to the Four Mile House, when they arrived, Henry Schmulbach was there.
What happened next is what makes this story a tragedy. Schmulbach approached Foraythe and said, “I want this team.” Foraythe replied, “You can have them.” Foraythe jumped out of the carriage, and as he did, Schmulbach grabbed him, they fell and Schmulbach got on top of Foraythe and struck him in the head several times with his fist. According to Mendel Schmulbach was very drunk at the time. Next, Schmulbach reportedly left the scene with his team of horses that Foraythe had apparently stolen. Foraythe was conscious for about twenty minuets after the altercation but when the owner of the Four Mile House, Mr. Stamn took his pulse, there was none. Stamn then immediately drove a wagon with Foraythe’s corpse in it to the court house in Wheeling where he was pronounced dead and testimonies were taken. After the body was examined Dr. L.D. Wilson concluded that Foraythe died of a concussion. This question remained for the jury, was it from Foraythe jumping off the carriage, or was it from Schmulbach striking him? The jury would acquit Schmulbach of any wrong doing because of Foraythe’s fraudulent actions. Schmulbach’s prominent status in Wheeling likely contributed to the verdict.
Schmulbach continued to build up his wealth and in 1881 he acquired a large share of stock in the Nail City Brewing company, one year later he took over the company and transformed it into the Schmulbach Brewing Company. Schmulbach left the grocery and wholesale liquor business to become president of his own company. Located at the east end of Thirty-third street The old Nail City Brewing Company was capable of producing 6,000 to 8,000 barrels of beer per year. 
Schmulbach saw major room for improvement with his new company and after his acquisition added new buildings and improved equipment. By the spring of 1890 Schmulbach was brewing 50,000 barrels a year and eventually that would be increased to 200,000 barrels a year. Schmulbach’s bottles of brewed beer could be found in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
During its heyday, Schmulbach Brewing was the largest brewery in West Virginia and its facilities were the best around. On the brewery site one could find buildings for keg washing, fermenting, a ice factory, warehouse, boiler room, copper shop, garage, and bar.
Besides brewing, Schmulbach was well known in Wheeling for other business ventures. Schmulbach was co-owner of the James Hotel located on Water Street from 1870’s to 1888. He served as director and president of the German Bank of Wheeling. Schmulbach was involved in numerous iron and steel companies throughout the tri-state area such as Top Mill, Mingo Iron Company (later Carnegie Steel Company), Junction Iron and Nail Company, Aetna Iron and Nail Company, Wheeling Bridge Company, the Fairmont and Clarksburg Railroad, and the Hobbes Glassworks. Schmulbach was responsible for building the first skyscraper in West Virginia which was completed in 1907.
One of Schmulbach’s more unique business ventures came in 1893 with the Mozart Park Incline. Mozart Park was located on top of a hill that overlooked South Wheeling. Schmulbach had already erected several buildings on top of the hill, but access to the park was a problem. Some of the facilities offered at the park were: a casino, bowling alley, restaurant, outdoor stage, and bicycle track. Schmulbach also made sure there was an abundance of alcohol served. There were no available street car lines at this time to access the hill and the only way to get to the park was to walk. Schmulbach consulted a company from Pittsburgh to build an incline that could carry passengers up the hill in a car through a machine called an incline railway that would incline two hundred and five yards Mozart Park. This was a small version of the incline that Pittsburgh has today.
When the project was completed it cost Schmulbach $100,000 and was ready for use in October of 1893. The incline turned out to be very profitable for Schmulbach. Cars ran up and down the hill every two minuets and the fee was 15 cents per person which included admission to the park. It was estimated that incline carried 1,200 persons every hour. The Mozart park became a unique part of Wheeling’s social life. For example, the dancing pavilion could hold up to 5,000 people and was the largest in the state. There were plans to build a zoo, but nothing more ever materialized. The Mozart Incline would remain successful until the Mozart Street Car Line opened and became accessible to the hill. Gradually Schmulbach sold off portions of the park and the park itself closed in 1917. All that remains of Mozart Park is a small playground. Although the parks incline was short lived, it represents the ingenuity of a Wheeling businessman.
One aspect that displeased a lot of people was the alcohol that was served at Mozart Park. Many citizens in Wheeling despised Schmulbach and his promotion of alcohol. The reform group, Committee of One Hundred (there was not 100 members) was formed to stop the debauchery of alcoholic beverages among other activities such as prostitution, gambling, and drug use. Many referred to Schmulbach’s brewery and Mozart Park as “Schmulbachism”. Most people believed that as long as Schmulbachism was present in Wheeling, its reputation as a gaming center would remain. Early spurts of prohibition hurt Schmulbach’s business and by June of 1914 prohibition became a reality in West Virginia. Schmulbach brewing was forced to close its doors and soon after that Henry Schmulbach became ill.
According to Schmulbach’s obituary in the Wheeling Register he had become ill, and seven weeks before his death he had taken to bed, only to remove himself twice during that time period. Schmulbach died on Thursday August 12, 1915 at his estate at Roneys Point Road. Schmulbach’s funeral occurred two days later at his estate. Schmulbach was a member of the Bates Lodge No. 33 and the Knights Templar; these two groups were present at the funeral to pay respects to their deceased member. Friends and family wishing to pay their last respects to Schmulbach could take a special car from the West Virginia Traction & Eclectic company which departed Wheeling at 1:15 p.m. to take mourners to Roneys Point.
The next day the Wheeling News Register reported the funeral as the largest ever in the rural district of Ohio County. The paper estimated that a thousand people were present at the Shcmulbach estate and at least a hundred automobiles were parked in the fields surrounding the estate (take a moment to imagine this). People from all walks of life were described as being present to pay their last respects to one of Wheeling’s prominent financial leaders.
Schmulbach was laid to rest on Monday at the famous Greenwood cemetery. To honor Schmulbach’s life the German Bank of Wheeling closed on Monday out of respect for their deceased president. Schmulbach’s funeral procession would be very different than others held in Wheeling. No horse drawn carriages would be used during the procession, only automobiles, 
making it the first funeral in the tri-state area to only use automobiles. The Masons were in charge of the funeral at Greenwood cemetery and they conducted their funeral ritual at the grave. Schmulbach had been an active member of the Masons since 1867.
Henry Schmulbach is a prime example of a poor immigrant moving to the United States and rising over time to become one of the community’s great financial leaders. One must consider the help and guidance that Schmulbach received from his uncle George Fuller. Also, Schmulbach’s actions at the Four Mile House, and the philosophy of Schmulbachism were an important feature to Wheeling and its illegal activity. Although Schmulbach did not avidly promote Schmulbachism, some of his business ventures represented the gaming life Wheeling was known for. In closing Schmulbach will ultimately be remembered for his contributions to Wheeling business community
In the near future I will most likely be creating some lesson plans on West Virginia history. A great way to learn about that history is to incorporate the lives of those who make the history. Schmulbach became an interest of mine last fall when I learned about him in the History of Wheeling. I was already rummaging through microfilm for another class, so I thought I’d look up some information on old Henry while I was at it. Most of my information was obtained from the Daily Intelligencer and Wheeling Register.
The photos are not mine. Here’s where they came from:
1) Schmulbach - http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvwags/bioschmupic.jpg
2) Schmulbach Brewry - http://www.huntingtonbeercans.com/schmulbach%20brewery2.JPG
3) Schmulbach Bottle (I’m on a frantic search for one) - www.huntingtonbeercans.com/schmulbach01.jpg
4) Mozart Incline - http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvmarsha/incline.htm
5) Schmulbach’s elaborate grave which is located in the famous Greenwood cemetery - http://wheeling.weirton.lib.wv.us/history/landmark/Cemeteries/Schmulbach.htm
