One of the longest-residing families in Lawrence County is the Selb family, who have been in the area for about a century and a half and have a long history of operating businesses in the area.

Joseph Selb, who lived from 1802-1878, was born in Loffingen Baden, Germany and came to America in approximately 1850.

He had three children with his first wife, who died before they immigrated — John (1833-1914), Kathrine (1834-1913) and Anthony (1836-1924), and one son, Joseph Jr. (1865-1948) with his           second wife.

Anthony operated a barber shop and piece goods store, while the old Selb home is now occupied by Melini Cucina Italian Restaurant at 124 S. Second St. in Ironton.

Anthony Selb was Carl Selb’s father and the grandfather of Tim Selb, who submitted this family history to The Ironton Tribune.

Anthony was the owner of a barber shop, piece goods store and Champion Bottling Co.

Joseph Jr. was also highly involved with Champion Bottling Works.

“Champion Bottling Works vintage bottles can still be found in Ironton,” Tim Selb said.

“We have several different types in our collection.”

He said he recently found many bottles at the construction site for the new Marriott hotel in Ironton.

Carl A. Selb was a well-known gunsmith in Ironton. He also did repairs. He also was a fine woodmaker and numerous antique pieces remain in the Selb family. He worked for the City of Ironton and was the custodian of the jail and city hall. He was a collector of Indian artifacts and old guns.

Shamrock Carryout was the last Selb business. The corporation was named similar and, after Champion Bottling Works, the Corps name was Champion Beverage Center Inc. PBA Shamrock Carryout.

It was a minority-owned business by Suellen Selb.

“There is an actual ‘Selb’ Germany located in the Blackforest North East of Nurienburg, Germany,” Tim Selb said. “There’s also a fine ‘Selb’ china made in Germany and Austria and Bavaria. We currently collect and have numerous vintage pieces.”

Tim Selb said he takes after his grandfather Carl.

“I make wingbone turkey calls, turtle shell turkey calls, knives and powder horns,” he said. “I also have built several muzzle loading rifles.”

STORY, PHOTOS SUBMITTED

Submitted by Timothy M. and Suellen M. Selb, Carla Jo Selb Geswein and Cristi Lyn Selb Bush