Jewell Baise
Jewell Baise, one of the leading citizens of Connorville, O., is not only the pioneer merchant of the place but is one of the largest property owners and enjoys the distinction of having been the first purchaser of a town lot and was the first resident. He was born in Belgium, December 8, 1850, and is a son of Pierre and Catherine (Bodwin) Baise. They died in Belgium and of their seven children, only two, John and Jewell, came to America.
Jewell Baise had very few opportunities in his youth as he was obliged to enter the coal mines when he was only eight years old and thus help his father in taking care of the family. He continued to work in the same way in Belgium until 1885, when he came to the United States and in September of that year reached Primrose, near McDonald, Pa. He easily secured employment in the coal mines there and made excellent wages as he was industrious and dependable and soon was able to start a little store and conducted that while he kept on working in the mines for eleven years. In the meanwhile he kept on the lookout for just such an opportunity as the one he took advantage of in 1894, when he came to Connorville and bought a lot and started his grocery store. He also worked at the carpenter trade, and keeping busy all the time, soon had ways of turning his money over so that he shortly was able to purchase more land and now owns his own comfortable residence and store building, owns four other dwellings that he rents and also a store room which he rents out as a town hall, and also rents six lodge rooms in the same building. Mr. Baise also acts in the capacity of a private banker, loaning money to other business men until they get also established in business. The growing town owes much to his energy and enterprise.
Mr. Baise was married (first) to Marie Mabell, in the old country, and they had the following children: Juliet, who is the wife of Frank Vanderbot; Victor, who is deceased; Josephine, who is the wife of Harry Mucher; Maria, who is the wife of Julian Culligan, Julia, who is deceased; Mary; and Jewell, who is deceased. The first wife died and on October 1, 1901, Mr. Baise was married to Mrs. Melanie (Hubert) Sheverley, widow of Frank Sheverley and daughter of Julian and Marie Hubert. She was born in France and came to America in 1894. By her first marriage she has two children: Frank and Eugenia, the latter being the wife of Joseph Longom. Mr. Baise is an entirely self made man. He has a wide acquaintance and there is little of importance that concerns this section that he does not take part in, using his money and time and giving advice whenever either may be necessary.
From 20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910