1050 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY April 16, 1853, and died January 9, 1892. His life record, therefore, covered less than forty years, but in that time accomplished much and the methods which he followed were ever straightforward and honorable. He was born on the old Coy farm in Greene county, Ohio, and there obtained his early education. He also engaged in teaching school in that county and when a rung man removed to Montgomery county, where he continued his educational labors, conducting a school for a time in Van Buren township. He was later in the office of Munger & Munger and subsequently opened an office in the Conover building, where he remained for thirteen years. At length he retired on account of his health, putting aside business cares when still a young man. He then went to his farm in Preble county, Ohio, where he remained until his death but even his cessation from active business cares did not prove availing in restoring his health. Mr. Romspert was married to Miss Laura Long, a daughter of Henry and Harriet (Shroyler) Long. Her father was one of the most prominent farmers in this section of the state and Mrs. Romspert became recognized as one of the leading ladies of this part of the county. By her marriage, she became the mother of three children. Maud, now living at home, completed a course of study in the district schools and is now very prominent in Dayton social circles. Harry H., who is the active head of the Romspert family at the present time, acquired his early education in the township schools and for three years attended the Beavertown high school. He also went to Professor Shoup's Preparatory school, from which he was graduated and, he is now in his freshman year at college. He expects to finish the course and then take up his father's work. The family belong to the Reformed church and are very active in all branches of its work. Mr. Romspert was also identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Garfield Club. He was a public-spirited man and was always looking to the interests of the community at large. Although a self-made man, he came to be recognized as one of the best representatives of the Montgomery county bar, his ability and enterprise, bringing him into important professional relations: Wherever he was known he was honored for what he accomplished and his genuine worth won for him the respect of all with whom he was associated. EZEKIEL S. CONOVER. Ezekiel S. Conover is a representative farmer of Van Buren township, where he owns sixty-five acres of land on the Springboro road, about two and a half miles from the courthouse of Dayton in a southerly direction. He is the son of Crynons and Helen (Denise) Conover, who were identified with the life of Miamisburg. The family on the father's side were among those who knew this section of the state in its most primitive days, for William Conover, our subject's grandfather, came here from New Jersey in 1808. He was a blacksmith by trade and lived to witness the many important changes which the passing years brought about, and to which his own efforts, modest and unostentatious though they were, contributed their share. His father, who was also named William, DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 1051 never left his Pennsylvania home. Crynons Conover was born and reared in this county, and when he entered the world of labor found that his abilities suited him for the work of a mechanic. In Miamisburg, he followed his trade for a considerable number of nears and then turned his attention to farming, which he pursued during the closing period of his life. Ezekiel S. Conover was born in Miamisburg and there received his early education, being twelve years of age when his family moved to the farm on which he has continued to live. After coming here, he attended the country schools, acquiring from them such training for life as they were able to give at that time. During the vacation periods his days were spent in work about the home place and on reaching manhood, he was fully competent to assume entire charge of the farm and to follow his chosen vocation with success. He soon realized that his soil was better suited for truck gardening than for general farming, and as a man who raises fine vegetables, he has been known in Montgomery county of late years. For a period of twenty-five years, he was identified with the farming interests of Darke county, where the people showed their appreciation of his sterling qualities as a man by electing him a member of the school board. On the 30th of November, 1873, Mr. Conover was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Green, the daughter of Edward and Lydia (Fearer) Green, who were known as prominent farmers of Warren county. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Conover: Victor is engaged in the ice cream business in Dayton. Edward S., was born in Darke county, where he received the greater part of his education, and has always been fond of the farm and its life and work, being now the actual head of his father's place. On the 8th of August, 1900, he was married to Miss Amelia Hoelscher, a daughter of William and Caroline (Grote) Hoelscher, who came to Darke county from Germany. Three children have been born of this union : Logan, Harold and Catharine. Ellen, the youngest of Mr. and Mrs. Conover's family, has completed her school course and is at present living at home with her parents. Mr. Conover is a member of the Greenville Lodge, No. 161, the Knights of Pythias, and is closely identified with its work and interests. He gives his allegiance in religious matters to the Christian church, and by his daily life, proves his right to membership in that body. On more than one occasion, he has given proof of a strong and fine character, and when the public has relied upon his good judgment, he has demonstrated that their confidence has not been misplaced.. JOHN COLLINS. John Collins, official stenographer in Dayton, was born in Angelica, Allegany county, New York, on the 14th of September, 1849, and was one of the four children who were born unto Charles and Elizabeth Hyde (Cardell) Collins. The father was a native of Geneva, New York, born in 1813, and was graduated from the Geneva College. For many years, he engaged in the practice of law in Angelica, but at length retired from the profession and came to Dayton, where his remaining days were passed. His wife died in Northumberland, Pennsyl- 1052 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY vania, in 1873. They were the parents of four children but one daughter died at the age of nine years. Three of the number reached years of maturity and still survive, namely : John, of this review ; Helen, who is the widow of David Reimer ; and Mrs. Florence Pringle. The Collins family was established in New England at an early date. The grandfather, John Collins, was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, in the eighteenth century, and died in Angelica, New York, where for many years he made his home. He was an attorney at law and served as county judge at Angelica. His wife bore the maiden name of Ann Gregory. John Collins, whose name introduces this 'review, spent the first sixteen or seventeen years of his life at Wellsville, New York, and in the place of his nativity, during which period he attended the public schools and also Angelica Academy. On leaving that institution, he went to Northumberland, Pennsylvania, remaining there and at Sunbury, just across the river, until 1875, during a part of which period he was engaged in book binding. In that year, he came to Ohio, settling first at Delaware, where he continued in the sam.e business for two years, after which he spent one year in Columbus, Ohio, as assistant to the official court stenographer. In May, 1879, he was appointed to his present position, which he has now occupied for thirty years. He is regarded as an expert stenographer, his ability being plainly evidenced in his long continuance in office. He is also a popular official in the courts, having- the good will, friendship and high regard of attorneys and the court. In 1877, Mr. Collins was married in Northumberland, Pennsylvania, to Miss Sarah J. Leighon, and they have three children, Helen, Bertha and Lucy. In his political views, Mr. Collins is a republican, and keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, is thus able to support his position by intelligent argument. He does not seek official preferment, however, outside of the one position which he has filled for three decades. WILLIAM F. WAGNER. William F. Wagner, commissioner of highways in district No. 2, Madison township, is also the owner of a good farm of fifty acres on the McNelly road, situated about two and a half miles northwest of Trotwood. His birth occurred on the old Wagner homestead near Trotwood on the 5th of March, 1865, his parents being Jesse and Mary (Olinger) Wagner. George Wagner, the paternal grandfather of William F. Wagner, was born in Maryland and came to this state subsequent to the arrival of his son Jesse. He took up some land in Montgomery county and here spent his remaining days, passing away at the age of seventy-two years, while his wife survived him for several years. In early manhood, Jesse Wagner made his way from Maryland to this county, settling on the farm which is now known as the old Wagner homestead. Here he successfully carried on agricultural pursuits and was well known and highly esteemed throughout the community. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the German Baptist church. In his family were nine children, namely : Delia DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 1053 William F., of this review ; Emma ; John ; Jesse, deceased ; Alice; Enos ; and Eugene and George, who have also passed away. William F. Wagner pursued his education in the common schools and through-out his active business career has been identified with agricultural interests. As before stated, he has a -well improved farm of fifty acres in Madison township and in addition to its cultivation, he also carries on business as a bridge contrac-tor, doing repair work on bridges. His well directed labors and excellent busi-ness ability have brought him a creditable measure of prosperity in his undertakings and he has long been numbered among the substantial, representative and enterprising citizens of his native county. On the 14th of February, 1888, Mr. Wagner was united in marriage to Miss Rilla McNelly, a daughter of Daniel and Catharine McNelly. Unto them have been born three children: Warren J. and Ethel N., who are attending school; and Catharine. Mr. Wagner gives unfaltering- allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy and is now serving as superintendent of roads in district No. 2. He is a prominent member of the Modern Woodmen of America, No. 7393, at Trotwood, and also belongs to the United Brethren church. He has gained his pres-ent enviable position of prosperity through his own labors and the exercise of indomitable perseverance and energy, guided by sound business judgment and practical common sense. He has always resided in the vicinity of Trotwood and at all times his life has been active, useful and honorable, his genuine personal worth having gained for him the favorable position which he occupies in the regard of those who know him. FRANKLIN W. ROUSH, M. D. Dr. Franklin W. Roush, who is filling the position of surgeon at the National Military Home, with the rank of major, has practiced his profession since 1899, and since December of that year, has been connected in a professional capacity with the home. He was born in New Haven, Mason county, West Virginia, in 1877. His father, Dr. L. F. Roush, was also a native of West Virginia, and is now successfully practicing his profession in Pomeroy, Ohio. While living in his native state, he served as a member of the West Virginia legislature and was quite prominent in political circles. Dr. Franklin W. Roush remained a resident of his native town for fifteen years and at the usual age entered the public schools, where he passed through consecutive grades until he was qualified for entrance into Carrollton College in Meigs county, Ohio. He continued his studies there for a time and in 1895, he went to the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, where he prepared for his profession, continuing his studies in Cincinnati until he was graduated with the class of May, 1899. He was succeeding in establishing himself in practice when in December, he -was appointed to a position on the medical staff of the National Military Home. Here he has continued to the present time and on the 5th of November, 1905, was appointed to his present position. His ability well quali- 1054 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY fies him for the work which devolves upon him in this connection. He has by constant reading and investigation along scientific lines kept abreast with the medical fraternity in its constant march of progress. He belongs to the Ohio State Medical Society, the Montgomery Medical Society and the Dayton Academy of Medicine. He is likewise identified with the Masonic order, in which he has taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite. He also belongs to the First Presbyterian church and is interested in its work and the extension of its influence. Dr. Roush was married in 1906 at the National Military Home, Ohio, to Miss Edith E. Evans, a daughter of Thomas P. Evans, who was chief engineer of the National Military Home for twenty years. A gentleman of culture, genial and courteous, he has made many friends during his residence here and is greatly esteemed by the inmates of the home. JOHN W. LIGHTCAP. Enterprise, industry, thrift and economy are the characteristic elements in the life of John W. Lightcap, who is numbered among the substantial agriculturists of Miami township, where he owns and operates a farm of thirty-two acres. He was born on a farm in the same township on the 22d of July, 1846, and is a son of Solomon and Catharine (Smith) Lightcap. The father, who was born. in the same neighborhood, was a farmer and also a mechanic by occupation and was well known in the community, where he wielded a wide influence. In connection with agricultural pursuits, he raised the first crop of tobacco in this section of the country. In his family were nine children : Catharine, Elizabeth, Fannie, Jacob, Fred, Henry, David, Tom and John, of whom Elizabeth, David, Tom and John still survive. The grandparents of our subject, John and Catharine (Stettler) Lightcap, came from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, at an early day and were among the pioneer settlers of Montgomery county. The early childhood of John W. Lightcap was spent upon his father's farm and he attended the common schools in the acquirement of his education. At the age of seven years, however, he became dependent upon his own resources and was engaged as a farm hand until sixteen years of age. Early in life,. he became imbued with a spirit of patriotism and a desire to aid his country in her hour of need, and he enlisted as a soldier in the Civil war, becoming a member of Company E, Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Anderson, which was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He saw considerable active service and for two months was incarcerated in Libby prison. When he was released, he received an honorable discharge and returned to his home. He then again became employed by the month as a farmhand and so continued up to the time of his marriage. Being desirous that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he purchased a farm and bent his energies toward its further improvement and cultivation. His property consists of thirty-two acres in Miami township, located on the lower Germantown road about a mile and a half south of Miamisburg. He is a general farmer, raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, and he also raises stock for his own use, while he is considered one of the best tobacco DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 1055 raisers in Montgomery county. Perseverance, industry and determination have been the salient elements in his business career, and through close application and good management of his affairs, he has met with a most substantial success in his agricultural pursuits. It was on the 2d of September, 1866, that Mr. Lightcap was united in marriage to Miss Lauretta Sharrits, of Virginia, a daughter of Hezekiah and Elizabeth (Stettler) Sharrits. Her parents were farming people from the south, although the mother was a native of Montgomery county, Ohio. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lightcap has been blessed with the following children : William, who married Rebecca Fox and has one daughter, Eva ; Howard, who wedded Anna Switzer, by whom he has ten children, Lula, Clyde, Arthur, Israel, Dewey, Carl, Raymond, Robert, Mildred and Lawrence, of which number Lula is now deceased ; John Irwin who has now passed away ; Elizabeth, the wife of William Emily ; Carrie, who married Charles Leis and has four children, Lauretta, Alta, Tites and Eva ; and Mayme, the wife of Guy Hart, by whom she has one child, Alvadore. Mr. Lightcap and his family are members of the Reformed church, of which he was a trustee for ten years. He is a democrat in politics, although he neither seeks nor desires public office, and was at one time affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic, although he does not now hold membership in any lodge in Montgomery county. Starting out in business life on his own account when still a mere lad, without any favoring circumstances to aid him at the outset, he diligently worked his way upward, overcoming all obstacles and difficulties in his path, and as the result, he today occupies a place among the substantial and representative farmers of Montgomery county, earning and richly deserving the proud American title of a self-made man. ELI WAYMIRE. For a long period Eli Waymire has been well known in Dayton as a dealer in fruit trees and has established a reputation for reliability as well as for knowledge concerning the best grades of nursery stock and the fruits best adapted to soil and climatic conditions in different sections of the country. Montgomery county numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred on a farm in Butler township, August 13, 1842. His father, Henry Waymire, was born in Butler township, Montgomery county, Ohio, July 16, 1816, and died in the same room in which he was born, eighty years later, his death occurring August 18, 1896. He was a son of Daniel Waymire, one of the early settlers of Montgomery county and here amid the scenes of frontier life Henry Waymire was reared, sharing in all the hardships and trials incident to the development of homes on the western frontier. Having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Hannah C. Pearson, also a native of this county. The marriage was celebrated June 29, 1841, and has been blessed with two children, Eli and Oliver Pearson. The latter married Nellie Payne, and died June 19, 1901, at the age of fifty-seven years and eleven days. The death of Mrs. Henry Waymire occurred April 25, 1889. 1056 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY Eli Waymire was reared on the home farm and remained there until he joined the army at the time of the Civil war. He first enlisted in the Ohio National Guard as a member of the Squirrel Hunters and thus served for about a month. Later he joined the One Hundred and Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry for one hundred days and was under fire at Petersburg, Virginia, and participated in other skirmishes. On returning from the army, he again located on a farm where he lived for two years and on the expiration of that period, he came to Dayton, where he soon afterward began dealing in fruit trees. He has since remained in this business and his long connection therewith is evidence of the success which he has achieved and of the reliability which has always characterized his business dealings. He has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of a fellowman in any business transaction, depending for his success upon enterprise, probity, perseverance and energy. On the 1st of February, 1866, in Vandalia, Montgomery county, Ohio, Mr. Waymire was married to Miss Jennie Weaver, a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Sandham) Weaver. She died June 2, 1908, at the age of sixty-one years. Mr. Waymire is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and Gem City Council, No. 3, of the United Commercial Travelers. He is the only charter member in good standing of Grace Lodge, No. 504, I. 0. 0. F., of Union, Ohio. He has always been loyal to the teachings of these fraternities concerning mutual help- fulness and brotherly kindness, and is therefore regarded as one of their exemplary representatives. His political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party and in all matters of citizenship, he manifests a progressive spirit. His unfaltering labor and utilization of opportunities have constituted the foundation on which he has builded his success in business, in which connection he has gained much more than a local reputation. RALPH E. DEWEESE. Ralph E. DeWeese, conducting an extensive and successful stock brokerage business and also well known in commercial circles of Dayton as the treasurer of the Lucas Pump Company, was born in this city in 1875. His youthful days were passed largely in the acquirement of an education in the public schools and in a private school conducted by Professor Deavers. Later he entered Yale, pursuing a scientific course, and on leaving the university, he returned home in 1893 and joined his father, J. R. DeWeese, the senior partner of the firm of DeWeese & Bidlernan, one of the best known and most extensive dry-goods firms of the city: For five years, he was associated with that enterprise, when he broadened the scope of his activities by entering the field of interurban railway construction in connection with the late Dr. Joseph E. Lowes. He was so engaged for five years, or until 1904, when he established business as a stock and bond broker. Thoroughly conversant with the money market, he is well qualified to make judicious and profitable investments for himself and for his clients and is becoming a recognized factor in financial circles of the city. In 1907 he was elected DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 1057 treasurer of the Lucas Pump Company is now active in control of the moneyed interests of that firm. In October, 1900, in Dayton, Mr. DeWeese was united in marriage to Miss Alberta E. Lowes, a daughter of the late Dr. Joseph E. Lowes, and they have two children, Lowes E. and James Robinson DeWeese. In his political views, Mr. DeWeese is a democrat, having supported the party since attaining his majority, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. Nor does he belong to any secret order, but is a member of the Dayton City Club, the Dayton Country Club and the Bicycle Club—associations which indicate his appreciation for the social amenities of life. That his record has been at all times commendable, is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are numbered among those -who have known him from his boyhood to the present time. He is popular in social circles and is rapidly attaining prominence along financial lines. AENEAS C. ULLERY. Aeneas C. Ullery, who follows both farming and carpentering in Madison township, is the owner of a valuable and well improved farm of sixty-five acres situated near the Stringtown and Air Hill pike, about four miles northwest of Trotwood. He was born April 18, 1858, on the old Ullery homestead about a mile east of Trotwood, his parents being Samuel and Elizabeth (Overholser) Ullery. The paternal grandparents were Samuel and Susan (Whitehead) Ullery and the grandfather was the first representative of the name to come to this state, journeying from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to this county. He entered the tract of land that is now known as the old home farm, cleared and improved it and energetically carried on his agricultural interests until the time of his de-mise, his remains being interred in Fort McKinley cemetery. Samuel Ullery, the father of our subject, was born on this farm and is still living thereon at the age of seventy-three years, though he has retired from the active work of the fields and the place is now being operated by a renter. He owns one hundred acres of as fine land as can be found in this section of the state and is widely recognized as one of the most substantial and respected citizens of his native county. Unto him and his wife were born two children, namely : A. C., of this review; and Raymond, who is a resident of Dayton, Ohio. In his youthful days, A. C. Ullery attended school in pursuit of an education that would equip him for the practical and responsible duties of later life and when not busy with his studies, he gave his father the benefit of his assistance in the cultivation of the home farm. About ten years ago, he purchased his present place of sixty-five acres, which is a part of the old Beachler farm, and in addition to general farming-, he has also followed carpentering to some extent, meeting with well merited success in his undertakings. He has- erected all of the buildings on the property, including an attractive and modern two-story frame residence. On the 16th of October, 1880, Mr. Ullery was united in marriage to Miss Ella Landis, a daughter of John G. and Leah (Foreman) Landis, the father being 1058 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY an agriculturist by occupation. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ullery, have been born four sons, as follows : Willis E., who wedded Miss Anna Driver, by whom he has a son, Ralph ; Albert, who married MiRaymondFryman and has one child, Raymond ; Clyde G., at home ; and Rusconservativellery belongs to the conservative branch of the Dunkard church and throughout his entire life has been actuated by high principles and worthy motives. Movements and measures for the general good receive his endorsement and support and in the community where he has always lived, he has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances. WILLIAM MILLER. William Miller, who is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned and well merited rest, but in former years was closely and successfully associated with commercial interests as a leaf-tobacco merchant of Dayton, was born in Emmettsburg, Maryland, in the year 1846. The first nine years of his life were there passed and in 1855, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, the family home being established in Fairfield. Later they went to Midway, Ohio, and in 1867, Mr. Miller came to Dayton, where for forty-two yearspreviously made his home. He had pi-eviously acquainted himself with cigarmaking and in this city began to work at his trade, which he followed in the employ of others for about five years. Throughout this period, however, he was stimulated by a hope and desire of one day engaging in business for himself and when his earnings and careful expenditure had brought him sufficient capital, he began dealing in leaf tobacco, remaining in active connection with the trade from 1872 until March, 1909. In the intervening thirty-seven years, he had built up an extensive business and had derived therefrom a handsome competence which now enables him to live retired without recourse to labor. Mr. Miller is a respected and exemplary member of the Odd Fellows society, belonging to Wayne Lodge of Dayton. In politics he is a democrat, but has never taken any active part in the work of the organization. Through many years his energies were concentrated upon his business affairs and his close application was one of the salient features of his success. JOHN S. ANDERSON. John S. Anderson is well known in the social circles of Dayton as well as a capitalist, and deserves more than passing notice in the history of this, his native city. He was born on East Monument street on the 6th of May, 1876. His grandfather was Richard Clough Anderson, who was 'born in Pennsylvania but, removing westward, was engaged in business in Cincinnati, Ohio, up to the time of his death. His wife was a sister of the late Nicholas Long-worth, of Cincinnati, Ohio. DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 1059 Richard Clough Anderson, Jr., the father of our subject, was born in Cincinnati and came to Dayton in 1874, his death here occurring in 1877. He was a manufacturer, well known in business circles. He married Agnes Norval Thompson, of Louisville, Kentucky, who has also passed away. They were the parents of four children: Katharine Longworth, Sarah, Richard C., and John Stettinius. John S. Anderson spent his youthful days in his parent's home in the usual manner of lads of the period whom necessity does not thrust into the business life at an early age. He had the advantage of instruction in the public schools and afterward spent two years as a student in St. Paul's school in Garden City, Long Island. He afterward returned to Dayton and pursued a special course in the Steele high school. Subsequently he went to the Cash Register Company with which he was connected for about two years and afterward became associated with the Stoddard Manufacturing Company, an implement house, which he represented on the road for five years. In 1904, he went to Idaho where he engaged in ranching for three years and in 1907 he returned to` Dayton, but is not actively engaged in any business at the present time. Mr. Anderson is well known socially and is a popular member of the Dayton City Club. He also belongs to Christ Episcopal 'church and he gives his political support at the polls to the republican party, but is not an office seeker, nor does he desire political preferment. However, his influence is ever given on the side of progress, and improvement and in all things relative to Dayton and her welfare, he manifests a public spirit. CLARK Y. SMITH. Clark Y. Smith, successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits in Madison township, is the owner of the old Kerns farm, comprising sixty-five acres of rich and productive land and situated on the north side of the Jalopa road, about two and a half miles south of Trotwood. He was born in Miami county, Ohio, on the 14th of April, 1863, a son of Solomon and Emily (Yount) Smith. When a young man the father made his way from Pennsylvania to Miami county, Ohio, where he became a very prominent and prosperous agriculturist. Their family numbered twelve children. During his school days. Clark Y. Smith assisted his father in the work of the fields, thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His early training and experience proved of value to him when he started out in business life on his own account and he has met with a well merited and highly gratifying measure of success in his farming operations, being now the owner of a fine tract of land of sixty-five acres in Madison township. The fields annually yield golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them and he is widely recognized as a most enterprising and progressive citizen. On the 19th of November, 1883, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Ella Etter, a daughter of George and Mary (Hinebach) Etter. Her father, who 1060 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY was a native of Pennsylvania, became one of the pioneer settlers of Miami county, Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born nine children, namely : Emma, deceased ; Minnie, the wife of Ira Juster, by whom she has a son, Floyd ; Alma, who is the wife of Martin Burnside and has four children, Mary, Florence, Herbert and Alberta ; Earl ; Inez ; Charles ; Nellie ; Ola ; and Carl. The different members of the family belong to the conservative branch of the Dunkard church and are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community in which they reside. HENRY H. HILGEFORT. Henry H. Hilgefort has lived retired from active business in Dayton, since May, 1903. He has long been associated with commercial interests, but at the age of seventy-five years he put aside further business cares. A native of Germany, he was born August I, 1828, and after spending the first nineteen years of his life in the home of his Teutonic ancestry, he came to America in 1848 and made his way direct to Dayton, traveling by canal boat from Baltimore, Maryland. His first business venture here was in teaming between Harshmanville and Dayton, hauling the grain to the distillery at the latter place. He drove a team for one year and afterwards remained with the distillery for another four years. He then established a "wet grocery" in Dayton, conducting the business from 1853 until 1856, when he turned his attention to the brewing business with August Becker and John Wagner, for a year and a half. He then began clerking in the wholesale grocery and liquor store of Fritch & Nipgen on Second street, where he remained until 1859, after which he spent one year in the employ of Theodore Barlow. In 1860, he entered into a partnership with John Hanitchs on Main street in the wholesale grocery and liquor business, in which he continued until 1866, when his partner died and the business was discontinued. Mr. Hilgefort then. turned his attention to the malting business, in which he continued for about two years, when he entered a distillery and grain house in Brookville, Montgomery county, where he spent a year and a half. In 1869, he bought a distillery in Carrollton and conducted it for a year, when the whiskey tax was raised and he sold out in 1870 to Freun. The following rear he became actively connected with the Teutonia Fire Insurance Company, which he had assisted in organizing in 1863 or 1864, and of which he was the vice president. His duty was to appoint agents in Ohio and Indiana and he was thus busily employed until 1873, when he bought out a wholesale grocery and liquor store on Third street, conducting it until .1880. In this venture, he prospered, but in 1881, he sold out to William Sanders and went to Germany, spending three months in visiting his native land. On his return, he again engaged in the wholesale liquor business at 27 Main street, under his own name, so continuing until 1890, when his son-in-law, J. H. Baker, was ad-. mitted to the firm and the business was incorporated as The Baker Company. Mr. Hilgefort remained in active connection therewith until May, 1903, when he retired. Mr. Hilgefort was married in May, 1854, in Dayton, to Miss Mary E. Lemmermuhle, and unto them were born six children, but the oldest daughter, now DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 1061 the widow of John H. Baker, is the only one now living. The wife and mother died in February, 1876, and in 1879, Mr. Hilgefort wedded Mary S. Lukaswitz, nee Gondert. Mr. Hilgefort at one time filled the offices of supervisor and councilman from the eighth ward and since that time he has continuously refused to serve in public positions, although such have been offered him. He is connected with St. Joseph's Orphan Home and with the Pioneer Society, also with a number of Catholic societies. He has always been a democrat and he belongs to Holy Trinity Catholic church. In 1847 he became a member of the old volunteer fire de-partment, of Dayton, serving until paid men were installed. In Spite of his age being now over eighty-one years, his intellectual strength remains unimpaired, his mind being; as keen and bright as a man yet in his prime. He has always been recognized as a man of forceful character and untiring energy. He is now living quietly in a modest home, his possessions being sufficient to supply him with many luxuries if he so desired. ELLSWORTH KLEPINGER. The Klepinger family is an old and prominent one in Ohio and its representatives have constituted substantial and progressive citizens whose labors have been an important element in the work of public progress. To this family belongs Ellsworth Klepinger, who is now well known in the business circles of Dayton as a draftsman. He was the fourth in order of birth of nine children, whose parents were Henry and Elizabeth (Miller) Klepinger. Like many of the pio-neers of the state, the Klepingers came first from Pennsylvania, the grandfather, George Klepinger, removing from the east that he might enjoy the better busi-ness opportunities offered in this new and growing western country. He there-fore cast in his lot with the early settlers who were reclaiming this region for the purpose of civilization and, while he met with difficulties and hardships incident to pioneer life, he resolutely bore his part in the work of general improvement. Henry Klepinger, the father of our subject, was born in this county in 1832 and has long been numbered among the widely known and valued citizens of this part of the state. For many years, he successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits but is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest, for his activity and careful management in former years brought to him a comfortable competence. He wedded Elizabeth Miller and they became the parents of nine children : David W.; George, deceased; Alfred L.; Ellsworth ; Charles; Mary, also deceased ; Llewellyn G., practicing medicine ; Edwin ; and Howard. The experiences of Ellsworth Klepinger in his youthful days were not unlike those of most farm boys of the period. He was reared upon the old homestead and through the period of his youth not only mastered the lessons taught in the public schools of the neighborhood, but also learned in the school of experi-ence the best methods of tilling the soil, while nature also taught him many lessons that have been forces in his later success and he is now well known in Dayton as a draftsman. 1062 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY On the 1st of January, 1890, occurred the marriage of Ellsworth Klepinger and Miss Libby Denlinger, a daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Garber) Denlinger of Madison township. The young couple are well known in Dayton and enjoy the warm friendship of many with whom they have been brought in contact. ELIAM E. BARNEY. The name of Eliam E. Barney is one around which centers much of the history of Dayton, especially in the middle portion of the nineteenth century. He figured prominently in manufacturing, financial and educational circles and his ability and influence were most effective in promoting general progress along those lines. He came upon the scene of action in the opening years of a century which was marked by progress greater than shown in any other cycle of the world's history to that time. His natal day was October 14, 1807, and the place of his birth, Henderson, Jefferson county, New York. In both the paternal and maternal lines he represented old New England families, his parents being Benjamin and Nancy (Potter) Barney, the former a native of Guilford, Vermont, and the latter of Connecticut. The father became known as a prominent educator of his day and was one of the founders of the Union Academy at Belleville, New York, thus establishing an institution which has been a forceful element in educational progress throughout the succeeding years. When he was twenty-one years of age he went to Henderson, Jefferson county, New York, where he secured a claim which he soon developed into a comfortable farm. Beside his diligence and prudence he was a man of great independence of character, preferring to form his own estimates of everything. By private study in his new home he made up some of the deficiencies of his early education and was much respected for his intelligence and enterprise. He was a captain of militia in the War of 1812 and served in the defense of Sackett's Harbor. His wife was a daughter of one of the soldiers of the Revolutionary war. Eliam E. Barney, the eldest of their eleven children, spent his early youth in the little log cabin which his father first built at Henderson and "from his earliest youth" said his younger brother "he was remarkable for three things—industry, order and thoughtfulness." When he reached his fourteenth year a change took place in his thoughts and purposes that gave character to all his subsequent life. His parents were devout people and their teachings and that of the local ministry awakened him to a 'sense of his obligations toward the Creator and throughout his entire life he remained a consistent Christian man and a most loyal advocate of the Baptist church. He was about seventeen years of age when his father was forced to assume financial obligations owing to signing notes for an uncle of E. E. Barney, who soon afterward was drowned. To pay off these notes it seemed necessary to sell the farm at Henderson, which he had improved, and remove to the farm of the deceased uncle at Adams. Eliam E. Barney at this time became an active assistant of his father and worked so hard on the farm that his health became greatly impaired. DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 1063 In the acquirement of his education Eliam E. Barney first attended the common schools and began to qualify for a collegiate course by reciting twice a week to a physician of the locality in which he lived. When the family removed nearer Belleville, New York, he became a pupil in an academy, now known as Union Academy, which his father was largely instrumental in establishing. One who knew him as a fellow student at that time said : "He was considered a leader in all good enterprises among the students and was distinguished for the strict propriety of his general deportment." He made such rapid advance that when eighteen years of age he was qualified to teach and took charge of a school, the funds thus gained enabling him further to pursue his studies until he was fitted to enter the sophomore class of Union College at Schenectady, New York. He remained always a stalwart champion of education and when he prospered in later years he remembered the old academy at Belleville as one of the subscribers to an endowment, making his subscription a memorial to his father and mother who had been so active in its first establishment. He was graduated from Union College in 1831. Before his graduation he spent a short time as a teacher in a boarding school at Sand Lake, New York, which was near enough to Schenectady to enable him to carry on the studies in the senior year in Union College and recite with his class at intervals. He delighted in study and formed habits of thoroughness in thought and of accuracy in its expression which were of great value to him in after years. He was called from the school at Sand Lake to become principal of the Lowville Academy, of which he had charge for two years. In the meantime he had become interested in accounts from Ohio and was convinced that he could do more for his brothers and sisters as well as for himself if the family would move westward. The family acted on his advice and removed to Auburn, Geauga county, Ohio, while Eliam E. Barney remained at Lowville until he had earned enough to meet the indebtedness which his father had incurred in sending him to college. The year 1833, however, witnessed his arrival in Ohio and for six months he engaged in teaching in Granville College, now Denison University. He was a most successful educator and as one of his pupils said in later years, his classes were always anxious to meet him in the recitation room for he took the utmost pains to make them understand the principles of what they were studying. In seeking a permanent location he addressed letters to the postmasters of several Ohio towns, inquiring if there were any openings for a teacher and received response only from the Dayton postmaster. Accordingly in the spring of 1834 he arrived in this city, where he found that the employment of a principal for the Dayton Academy was under consideration by the trustees. There were two applicants but when each made a statement as to the methods in which the school should be conducted Mr. Barney was at once elected. He called to his assistance his brother Elijah and sister Sarah C., and the school that opened with only nine pupils had eighty-five at the end of the first term, while the beginning of the second term brought more than two hundred and thence forward the success of the school was assured. Later his other sisters, Mary G. and Harriet, became teachers in the Dayton Academy, while his younger brother, Benjamin, was enrolled as a pupil there. After his children came to this city the father sold his farm at Auburn and purchased one near Dayton, including a portion of the land 1064 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY now known as Embury Park. There his wife died in 1845, while he survived for fourteen years, spending a part of the time with his youngest daughter in Iowa, although his last days were passed in Dayton. All through the old age of his parents Eliam E. Barney displayed the most beautiful filial affection and care, adding to their lives every comfort that was in his power. For four years Mr. Barney remained principal of the Dayton Academy and from 1838 until 1840 conducted a private school along coeducational lines, but health forced his retirement from the field. of education. He took the most lively interest in the establishment of the public schools of Dayton and was one of the most active factors in securing the levy of the tax to raise six thousand dollars that two school buildings, one in the eastern and one in the western part of the city, might be erected. On his retirement from the educational field in 1840 Mr. Barney turned his attention to the lumber business, purchasing a sawmill which he operated for two years and a half. It was a remarkable feature of his history- that one so emi-nently skillful and popular in literary pursuits could change to commercial employment with no diminution of either earnestness, ability or achievement. He installed new and improved machinery in the mill, took personal charge of the purchase of logs and the care and sale of lumber and was meeting with good success in his undertakings when in 1844, as the result of his strenuous application, he became ill and was obliged to go south to recuperate his health. He also spent some time in the east and was greatly benefitted by the change. It was in 1844 that several Dayton citizens subscribed money for the establishment of a school for the thorough education of their daughters and Mr. Barney was proffered the principalship of what became known as the Cooper Female Academy. He took the greatest interest in equipping the school and carried into the enterprise all the enthusiasm and thoroughness which had before characterized him as a teacher. He became known as one of the most accomplished educators in the west. The school opened in September, 1845, with one hundred and seventy-four pupils. As the five years for which he had agreed to remain as principal drew to a close his mind began again to turn toward business and he was offered a partnership by Ebenezer Thresher, who had been his successor as the owner of a sawmill formerly the property of Mr. Barney. When the partnership was formed they decided to build railroad cars as the chief product of their industry. This was the beg-inning of the extensive Barney Car Works, now one of the foremost industrial enterprises of Dayton and the state. Their first building was erected in 1850 and for a time they manufactured agricultural implements but soon afterward took up the building of railroad cars. Mr. Barney continued as principal of the Cooper Female Seminary for a year, after entering into partnership with Mr. Thresher, but in 1851 became an active instead of a silent partner in the manufacturing business. Both he and Mr. Thresher had invested five thousand dollars in the concern and from the beginning the enterprise proved a profitable one, their cars becoming known for the excellence of their material and workmanship. His withdrawal from the educational field closed a distinct chapter in his life history. It was one of great usefulness, for his ability as an educator and disciplinarian was continuously evidenced and he never failed to leave his impress for good upon the lives of those DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 1065 who came under his instruction. He possessed the rare faculty of communicating knowledge clearly and concisely to his pupils and of compelling the ready apprehension of all he sought to teach. While he maintained discipline he also displayed ready sympathy with his pupils, encouraged them when good work was shown and at all times he commanded their fullest respect. Bending his energies toward the development of his industrial interests, Mr. Barney soon had the car works upon a paying basis. It was at first of small proportions but developed gradually along substantial lines as they reached out for trade and proved themselves worthy of a liberal patronage. The business had greatly increased when in 1854 Mr. Thresher sold out to Caleb Parker, at which time the firm style of Barney, Parker & Company was assumed, and when Mr. Parker disposed of his interests to Mr. Preserved Smith the firm became Barney, Smith & Company and so continued until 1867, when a joint stock company was formed under the style of the Barney & Smith Manufacturing Company. At that date Mr. Barney was elected to the presidency and continued at the head of the business until his demise. It was greatly developed, becoming a concern of large importance in industrial circles in Dayton, its manufactured output finding a ready sale because of thoroughness and durability in workmanship and reliability in business transactions. Every kind of car from the common platform to the most luxurious drawing-room or sleeping car was turned out by skillful workmen and the rapidity with which large contracts were filled often occasioned surprise. Mr. Barney was seldom, if ever, at fault in matters of business judgment and sought his success along the well defined lines of trade and commerce, displaying at all times a progressive spirit and yet never venturing upon ground where the issue seemed doubtful. Said one of his biographers : "He was conscientious, laborious, and watchful in the extreme. He not only superintended subordinates but seemed to keep his eye with wonderful particularity on the innumerable details of the work. His presence and impress were everywhere. In the factory his was the living spirit among the wheels. He had the decision, the power, the control of an imperial commander. Each employe must come promptly up to the terms of his engagement and fulfill it ; for the last hour of his day's work was the company's profit, the other hours were necessary to earn his wages. Any form of ill behavior was reprimanded no matter upon whom the censure might fall. No work must be turned out that was not the very best. Employes at first, like some other people, took his strongly marked visage, his strictness, his positive judgments and peremptory answers, for sternness. Sometimes his replies to those who ought his counsel would be brief, and he would seem to be absorbed in something else. He would even at times disregard those little courtesies which make men seem approachable. But if the matter was really one that required his help, the applicant would find in a day or two that Mr. Barney had thought it all over and had some plan to suggest or. some relief to offer. He threw men upon their own resources to develop them, and then reached out his hand to keep them from falling. They who came to know his well found out that no one could have a kinder heart or be more ready to help those in trouble." As time passed Mr. Barney manifested intelligent activity in other lines, becoming president of the Dayton Hydraulic Company on its organization and so continued until his death. He was also the vice-president and a director of the Second National Bank of Dayton, 1066 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY and was also a director of the Wisconsin Central Railroad. He learned to correctly value life's contacts and experiences. His early labors in educational lines had taught him to understand men and their motives and, contrary to the general opinion that the educator is not a success in lines demanding alert thought, quick decision and prompt action, he proved his capability in industrial circles as he had done in the schoolroom. On the l0th of October, 1834, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Barney to Miss Julia Smith, a daughter of Dudley Smith of Galway, Saratoga county, New York. They became parents of two daughters and three sons : Mrs. Agnes E. Platt, Eugene J., Mrs. Mary L. Platt, Albert C. and Edward E., the two last named now deceased. The parents were for many years prominent and influential members and liberal supporters of the First Baptist church in Dayton and Mr. Barney was interested in educational lines as well, acting for twenty years as a member of the board of trustees of Denison University to which institution he gave liberally and endowed two memorial professorships. He was never an aspirant for political office but was interested in everything that pertained to the welfare of his city or country. His thoughtful public spirit and disposition to propose improvements were not limited to matters which he himself might live to see fulfilled. One incident of this was seen in his efforts to introduce the cultivation of the catalpa tree for timber. He gathered testimony concerning the rapidity of its growth and its remarkable durability and wrote a series of articles to the Railroad Age and other papers advocating the cultivation of this tree. He also brought out a pamphlet, publishing facts which he had collected and the attention was awakened on this subject to such an extent that he received letters of inquiry from every state in the Union, from England, South Australia, New Zealand and Japan. He distributed seed to every quarter of the globe and the result was the planting of thousands of acres of catalpa trees with the benefit to future generations that is incalculable. He was always interested in tree culture and when he took charge of the Dayton Academy one of his first, efforts was to enlist the larger boys in planting the yard with shade trees, while flower beds were assigned to the girls who were expected to plant and cultivate them. The death of Mr. Barney occurred December 17, 1880. Perhaps no better estimate of the man can be given than in quoting from one who for a long period was his pastor and who knew him well. Rev. H. F. Colby said : "In his relation to others he was generally a man of few words. The numerous cares which he was called to bear in early youth as well as through all his life seemed to have given to him an air of serious thoughtfulness which could sometimes be broken only by bold playfulness on the part of those who were intimate with him. He would become so absorbed in one train of thought that he would seem unconscious of everything about him. At such times he would pass friends on the street without recognizing them, but again, among business friends and especially in genial society, his natural social spirit would assert itself and his words would then pour out in warm pictures of his imagination or in enthusiastic exhortations which were like the rivers that flow down from the melting snows in spring. Those who were with him at such times learned to love him as a great and noble friend." One of the strongest and most pronounced characteristics of his entire life was his Chrstian faith which prompted him to acts of kindness, charity and DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 1067 benevolence. On coming to Dayton he cast in his lot with the little band of Baptist people, numerically very weak and without a pastor or place of worship. He was instrumental in arranging to hold prayer meetings in one of the unoccupied rooms of the Dayton Academy and continued an active worker of the church as it grew in strength and spirituality. He lived to see several other churches of the same denomination built and to all made generous contributions. For many years he was superintendent of the Sunday school ; from 1842 was one of the deacons of the church ; and for a long time the senior. officer. Beginning to give money liberally out of his poverty when he was a young man, he continued to do so, in ever increasing sums, as he was prospered, even to the last. Not only were the Baptist churches in Dayton largely built up by his pecuniary help, but he gave also by hundreds and thousands to missionary work in the United States and in foreign lands. No persons presenting a real good cause ever found in him an uninterested listener and few such were obliged to leave him without generous subscriptions. He was the largest giver to Denison University where more than sixty thousand dollars were bestowed by him during his life time and through the terms of his will five thousand dollars were set aside as a permanent fund for the relief of poor students, while other great causes of benevolence were similarly remembered. No good work clone in the name of charity or religion sought his aid in vain and he remained to the end of his life a broad-minded man of wide sympathy and kindly spirit in whom helpfulness was a marked characteristic. EDWARD GEPHART. Among the native sons of Montgomery county who are meeting success along agricultural lines is Edward Gephart, who was born on the 6th of May, 1860, on the old Gephart homestead, located near the farm upon which he now resides. He is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Weldey) Gephart, the former a son of Philip and Mary (Weldey) Gephart. The father was also born on the old homestead and followed the occupation of farming. He was very well known, being prominent and active in community affairs. In his family were three children : Edward, Cornelius and Mrs. Mary Clement Bechtel. In the country schools Edward Gephart pursued his education and proved himself a very apt scolar. He did not cease to be a student when he laid aside his text-books but throughout his entire life has been a great reader. Throughout his boyhood days, when not engaged in the work of the schoolroom, he assisted his father in the labors of the farm and early became familiar with the tasks that fall to the lot of the country lad. He learned many valuable lessons in the broader school of experience, and that his early training in practical labor was thorough is evidenced in the well improved condition of his present farm. After attaining his majority and deciding to enter business life on his own account, he wisely chose as a life Work the occupation to which he had been reared, and he has since been connected with agricultural pursuits in the county of his nativity. He now owns a fine farm of forty-two acres in Miami township, located between Bear creek and Union. Since the property came into his possession he has placed 1068 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY many substantial improvements upon it, including all modern equipments and accessories for facilitating. farm. labor, and the place is lacking. in nothing that goes to make up a model farm of the nineteenth century. It was in November, 1879, that Mr. Gephart was united in marriage to Miss Mary Eppert, a daughter of John and Mary (Stetler) Eppert, and unto this union have been born five children, namely: Edith, deceased; Katie, now the wife of Robert Myers; Vernon, who married Mabel Templer, and has one daughter, Mary Helen; Adam, who assists his father on the home farm; and Forrest, also at home. Mr. Gephart holds membership in the Lutheran church and is very prominent and active in church work. In politics he is a democrat and is at all times interested in the progress of the party. He was supervisor of the township. for seven years and has also served as a member of the school board for two terms. Public-spirited to a great degree, he is interested in all matters that pertain to the public welfare and freely lends his aid to all measures which have for their object the material, social, political, intellectual and moral growth of the community. Having remained a student throughout his entire life, his extensive reading has kept him well informed on all of the important questions and issues of the day, and has served, in connection with his other interests, to make his a well rounded character. Having spent his entire life in Montgomery county, he has gained a large circle of friends who honor and respect him for his upright manhood and high ideals. JOSIAH CATROW. Prosperous and growing business interests are conducted by Josiah Catrow of Germantown, who is connected with general insurance and leaf tobacco interests. He was born in Madison township, Butler county, Ohio, on the old Catrow home-stead, August 11, 1835, first opening his eyes to the light of day in a little log cabin. A part of the farm. lay across the boundary line of Montgomery county and the family Was established there in pioneer times. His grandparents were Peter and Christiana (Lay) Catrow. The former came from Carl's Manor, Maryland, and was the first representative of the name in Montgomery county. He drove across the country to Franklin, Ohio, and thence made his way to this section of the state, at once taking up his abode upon the farm which has since been known as the Catrow homestead. His mother, the grandmother of our subject, rode all of the way from Maryland to. Ohio on horseback in the year 1803. This was long prior to the era of railroad building and the thoroughfares, which we're traversed, were at times little more than an Indian trail, The death of Peter Catrow occurred in 1852, when he Was seventy-two years of age, his birth having occurred July 4, 1780. On coming to Montgomery county he took up land from the government and was the first to locate in that district, which has since been known as the Catrow settlement. He was the father of Zephaniah Catrow. DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 1069 The parents of our subject were Zephaniah and Mary Ann (Morningstar) Catrow. The father was also born on the old Catrow homestead and in the same cabin where the birth of his son Josiah occurred. His natal day was December 7, 1806, and his wife was born in Warren county, Ohio, March 15, 1809. By occupation he Was a farmer and remained upon the old home place in Madison township until 1837, when he removed to Sunbury, Ohio, where he became proprietor of a hotel, remaining there for two years. On the expiration of that period he began business as a cooper, owning and conducting a factory of his own. In 1850 he removed to Germantown, where he purchased the Germantown (now the Florentine) Hotel, of which he was proprietor for nine years. On the expiration of that period he retired to private life, having for a long period been closely associated with business affairs, which brought him success of a most creditable character and made him widely and favorably known. He died April 3, 189o, and his wife has also passed away. She was a daughter of John George Michael Morningstar, who was a farmer by occupation and came to America from Germany with his father, John Englebrecht Morningstar. The family settled first in Maryland. By the laws of Maryland at that time the estates were divided up as the children became of age and because of this John G. Michael Morningstar came to Ohio. The only child of Zephaniah and Mary Ann (Morningstar) Catrow was "Uncle Joe," by which name he is familiarly and affectionately known. He acquired his early education in the schools of Sunbury, Ohio, and further continued his studies in Germantown. He also -pursued a course of bookkeeping in Cincinnati, Ohio. His first commercial venture was in the hotel business and he also had the contract for carrying the mail to Carlisle, making two trips a day until 1862. In that year he turned his attention to the leaf tobacco business, in which he remained continuously until 1900. In 1866 he purchased an interest in a grocery store, but sold out within a year. During the period of the Civil war he engaged in buying horses, which were used by the United States government. In all of his business dealings he has displayed keen discernment and unfaltering energy, and his diligence and perseverance have brought him substantial success. On the 28th of February, 1860, Mr. Catrow was united in marriage to Miss Catharine E. Schaeffer, who was horn March 18, 1840, and was a daughter of George C. and Frances A. (McClure) Schaeffer. Mrs. Catrow died and their only child, a son, died in infancy March 23, 1878. After losing his first wife Mr. Catrow wedded Mrs. Hester E. Dumm, who was known as "Aunt Hetty" throughout all their part of the county. She was a lady of many excellent traits of heart and mind and her gentle manner and kindly deeds won her the love of all. She died August 2, 1899, and her death was the occasion of deep and wide-spread. regret. For his third wife Mr. Catrow chose Louie L. Masky, nee Smythe, a daughter of Marcus Smythe. This marriage was celebrated July 29, 1902. In his fraternal relations Mr. Catrow is a Mason and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. In 1856 he was elected to membership, signing his petition on a stump in the woods. He has filled all of the chairs in the local lodge, is now a member of Germantown Lodge, No. 257, A. F. & A. M., and is still actively connected with the society. He also joined the Minerva Chapter, R. A. M., and on the 1st of January 1869, became a member of Reed Com- 1070 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY mandery. He was made a thirty-second degree Mason at the annual revision in 1875. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and at Germantown was its first chancellor commander and was lodge deputy and county deputy. In December, 1899, he was elected grand chancellor of the state of Ohio, which position indicates his high standing in the order. He closed the last session of the nineteenth century of the grand lodge at Sandusky, Ohio, and opened the first of the twentieth century in Springfield, Ohio. In December, 1901, he was elected supreme representative at large from Ohio to the national convention which was held in San Francisco in 1902. He also attended the supreme lodge at Louisville, Kentucky, in August, 1904, and afterward declined nomination for further office in the organization. His life has been an active one and the years have witnessed successful accomplishments of work he has undertaken. In business he has met with a creditable measure of success, while in fraternal circles he has gained notable distinction through his fidelity to the principles of the orders and his exemplification of the beneficent spirit which underlies them. CHARLES A. CRAIGHEAD. The name of Craighead has figured in connection with the history of the bar of Dayton for more than six decades, and he whose name introduces this review is now numbered among the prominent lawyers of this city, having a large and distinctly representative clientage, and serving as president of the Montgomery County Bar Association. He has spent his entire life in this city, his birth here occurring on the 12th of August, 1857. His parents were Samuel and Jeannette (Miller) Craighead, of whom. extended mention is given on another page of this work. In the public schools of Dayton he acquired his preliminary education and later entered the Lafayette College at Easton, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1879. Deciding to enter the legal profession he studied law in the office of his father, who was then a member of the well known firm of Conover & Craighead, and was admitted to the bar in 1881. He then formed a partnership with his father and his cousin, William Craighead, under the name of Craighead & Craighead, and after the death of the father he continued with his cousin under the same firm style. The latter has since died and he is alone in the practice of his profession under his own name. He is successfully engaged in general practice of law and also makes a specialty of corporation law. He stands high in the estimation of his professional brethren and is regarded as one of the prominent and successful lawyers in this part of the state. On the 30th of November, 1892, Mr. Craighead was united in marriage to Miss Kathleen McCook, a daughter of Alexander McD. McCook, who was a major general in the regular army. Two children blessed this union, namely: Alexander McCook, who was born in 1893 and is now attending the Hill School at Pottstown, Pennsylvania ; and Amalie. The family are active and prominent members of the Presbyterian church and are very prominent socially. Mr. Craighead is an honored member of the Dayton Club : the Buzfuz Club, also of Dayton ; the Queen City Club of Cincinnati ; and DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 1071 of Ohio Society of New York. The republican party has always found in him a stanch supporter of its principles and he has taken a very active and influential part in public affairs, serving on Governor Nash's staff for some time. It is as a lawyer, however, that he is best known and he stands deservedly high in the ranks of his profession. SAMUEL F. CRAIGHEAD. Samuel F. Craighead, long a representative and honored member of the legal profession of Dayton, was born on the 16th of June, 1817, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and spent his last days in Detroit, Michigan, where he passed away September 6, 1894, his remains being laid to rest in Dayton. Born in the Cumberland valley of Pennsylvania and reared among the Allegheny mountains, he came from as fine a race of men as the country has produced. His educational advantages were those offered by the public schools and in early manhood he went to New York city, where for several years he was employed by a relative who was the owner of a large publishing house there. He thus received thorough business training, and the knowledge gained therein proved one of the elements of his success in later life. Desiring, however, to follow a professional career, he took up the study of law, was admitted to the bar and, arriving in Dayton in the spring of 1844, at once entered upon practice in this city. While advancement in the law is proverbially slow, Mr. Craighead nevertheless soon established himself as one of the foremost lawyers of the city, strong in argument, wise in counsel and with ability to solve the intricate problems of the law. His reputation was such that in 1848 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Montgomery county and served for two terms, fully maintaining through the able discharge of the duties of the office the high character that had been conferred upon it by his predecessors. From that time until about two years prior to his death, which occurred in 1894, he maintained his .position in the foremost rank of lawyers at the Ohio bar. His efforts were wide, varied and successful. He was gifted as an orator and strong in argument. Not only was he well versed in the principles of law and in precedent, but he possessed also a comprehensive knowledge of general literature from which to draw and anecdotes and illustrations frequently accentuated the point which he desired to make. During a period of forty years he was engaged upon one side or the other of almost every criminal case of importance in the courts of the county, and his practice also extended to other parts of the state. He entered into a partnership with Wilbur Conover in 1854 and for nearly twenty-five years the firm of Craighead & Conover was recognized as one of the eminent and most successful legal firms of Ohio, the connection being maintained until Mr. Craig-head's failing health forced him to withdraw. Had Mr. Craighead determined, instead of pursuing the practice of law, to have entered the political arena, there is little doubt that he would have attained through his sterling qualities as well as his social characteristics high rank among those who are regarded as the foremost public men of the United States. Although 1072 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY he took little active part in politics he was always a pronounced republican and was for years considered one of the ablest and safest counselors of the bar of Ohio. The marriage of Mr. Craighead was celebrated in February, 1853, the lady of his choice being Mrs. Jeannette A. Schenck, the widow of Lieutenant Woodhull S. Schenck, of the United States navy, and a daughter of Judge William Miller of Cincinnati. Unto this marriage there were born three sons, Robert G., Emanual J. and Charles A. While Mr. Craighead was known to the public as an eminent lawyer, to his associates as a faithful friend and to Dayton as a public spirited citizen, his best traits of character were reserved for his own fireside where he was seen as a genial, courteous host and a devoted husband and father. His life was at all times actuated by high and honorable principles. Calm, dignified, self-controlled, he gave to his clients the service of great talent, unwearied industry and rare learning, but he never forgot that there were certain things due to the court, his own self-respect and above all to justice and the righteous administration of the law which neither the zeal of an advocate nor the pleasure of success would permit him to disregard. The feeling entertained for him by his brethren of the legal fraternity Can be perhaps best indicated in the memorial adopted by the bar association following, his death: "For nearly a quarter of a century he was the acknowledged leader of this bar. In these halls others contended with him as to the soundness of legal propositions or as to the effect of evidence, but no one hoped to triumph over him personal superiority. The elements of his great professional success were'. in part, the generous gifts of nature. His presence was attractive, his capacity for work was great, his mind was active and versatile, his judgment. as to what should be offered or omitted in the trial of a cause was instinctive and accurate, and his power of dramatic presentation could hardly have been acquired. But these native qualities were strengthened and supplemented by a close and extensive study of the law, by a careful preparation of all the causes in 'which he appeared, and by the zeal and fidelity' which are prompted by an accurate appreciation of the high duty which a lawyer owes to his client. A clear conviction that the law is a profession and not a trade lay at the foundation of his success and was the corner stone of his professional character. It raised him to those intellectual and moral heights where controversies are courageous and honorable, where victories ennoble and defeats are not followed by shame. "Most of us, upon our admission to the bar, found him in full practice, engaged in nearly all the important causes that were tried here, winning- favorable judgment in most of them and in all adding to his reputation as a powerful and honorable advocate: Rejecting the overtures of those who desired to place him in public positions for which his talent so admirably fitted him, he was neverthe-less a public man by virtue of his ability. In our professional circle he was the Great Commoner. We have all respected his character and emulated his success. Those of us have been most fortunate who have most clearly observed that honor and Virtue made that success possible. In the trial of causes he was fearless and aggressive. He must have been conscious of his great powers as an advocate, though he was without arrogance. loyalty and fidelity were prominent in his character. These qualities bound him firmly and closely to profession, to clients, DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 1073 to family, to friends, to truth, to country. He received patriotism by inheritance, and throughout his long and useful life he nurtured it by the faithful performance of those duties which every citizen owes to the state. "In his later years his life showed a strong and beautiful blending of vernal and autumnal colors. To his own business and to that of his clients he brought the ripe fruit of long experience and much observation. But at home and office his friends were sure of a cheery welcome and at the meetings of lawyers his favorite place was among the younger members of the bar, whom he encouraged by kind words and delighted with the sallies of wit which so often enlivened the court room and the social circle. It seems as though it were but yesterday that he passed among us with the erect figure, the elastic step, the natural vision and the cheery voice of youth. But age brought even to him its inevitable infirmities and compelled his gradual abandonment of active professional duties. Yet he never ceased to teach us by his exemplary conduct. When the twilight deepened his life became a perpetual benediction upon all whom he met and all whom he had ever known. The memory of his talents, his virtues and his kindness will remain to us a valued heritage. But we cannot cherish the hope that we shall ever meet a manlier man." BERTON I. RIKE. Among the important growing and successful enterprises which have won fame for Dayton as an industrial center is that conducted by The Keogh & Rike Paper Company, of which Berton I. Rike is the vice-president and treasurer. A native of Bentonville, Indiana, he was born May 2, 1871, and represents an old southern family, his grandfather having been Christian Rike, who was born in Maryland in 1796 and came to Montgomery county, Ohio, in the early part of the nineteenth century. He was a carpenter by trade but located on a farm in this county and devoted many years to general agricultural pursuits, his death occurring in 1879. His son Jesse Rike was born in Beavertown, Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1843 and was there reared. He, too, devoted his life to farming. He lived in Indiana for about twelve years, from 1866 until 1878, after which he returned to Dayton and there took up contracting and building, which line of activity claimed his attention until his retirement. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the call for troops to serve one hundred days. He was married to Miss Anna L. Bimm, and to them were born nine children, seven sons and two daughters, all of whom are yet living. Berton I. Rike, the second in order of birth, was brought to Dayton on his father's return to Montgomery county, and was here here reared and educated, receiving his early mental training in the public schools, while later he attended the Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. On leaving that institution in 1892 he again came to Dayton and pursued a commercial course, equipping him for business life. He then accepted a position with the Mead Paper Company, with which he continued until 1901, during which time he became familiar with the 1074 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY trade in principle and detail. He then joined J. P. Keogh in organizing the firm of Keogh & Rike, which two years later was incorporated under the name of The Keogh & Rike Paper Company, with Mr. Rike as vice-president and treasurer. In 1908 the Rike Folding Box Company was incorporated, with Mr. Rike as president and general manager. This company has grown enormously within the short time of its incorporation and promises .to be one of the largest institutions of its kind in the city. In 1896, in Dayton, occurred the marriage of Berton I. Rike and Miss Louise Jenne, who died in 1906. Mr. Rike has since married Jane A. Evans. By his former marriage he had two children, Oneita J. and Katharine L. Fraternally he is connected with the Royal Arcanum, while his religious faith is manifest in his membership in the First Reformed church. In politics he is a republican and is interested in local affairs, particularly all matters relating to municipal progress. His co-operation can always be counted upon to further movements for the city's good and through his business enterprise he has been a factor in advancing commercial activity. SAMUEL BEST DOVER. Samuel Best Dover, a real-estate dealer and operative builder of Dayton, was born July 17, 1860, in the city which is still his home. He is a descendant of Benjamin Van Cleve, one of the original settlers of Dayton and Montgomery county. The ancestry is traced back to John Van Cleve, who married Catherine Benham and was killed by the Indians in Cincinnati in 1791. Their son, Benjamin Van Cleve, was born February 24, 1773, and wedded Mary Whitten. Their family included a daughter, Henrietta Maria, who became the wife of Samuel B. Dover, whose son, Thomas Dover, was the father of our subject. Samuel B. Dover was reared and educated in Dayton, being graduated from the Central high school with the class of 1879, after which he spent one term in the Ohio State university at Columbus. Since that time he has largely given his attention to investment and building operations. In 1899, in Dayton, Mr. Dover was married to Miss Clara M. Rice, a daughter of Henry Rice, and they have one son, Thomas Kenneth Dover, born in 1901. Mr. Dover belongs to no order, club or church, but is a man of independent view and action, finding in his business incentive for enterprising effort, while his hours of leisure are devoted to such recreation and interests as are in harmony with his tastes. JOSEPH E. BIMM. Joseph E. Bimm, president of the Bimm Realty Company of Dayton and a representative of various other corporate interests which are factors in the business activity and consequent upbuilding of the city, was born September 21, 1855. He supplemented his public school education by a course in Lafayette College at Easton, Pennsylvania, and was graduated in 1877 as a civil engineer. After his DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 1075 graduation he joined his father, Ezra Bimm, a well known and valued merchant of this city, in the grocery and ice business and in the incorporation of The Bimm Dayton Ice & Cold Water Supply Company. He was made vice-president and secretary of the company and following the death of his father in 1904 was made president of the concern. To other lines he has also extended his energies with the result that he occupies a position in the affairs of several other corporations. He is now the secretary of The Pasteur-Chamberland Filter Company, is also treasurer of the Music Hall Company, vice-president of The Reynolds Aertite Carton Company, and a director of the City National Bank. In April, 1883, in Dayton, Mr.Darstwas married to Miss Mary B. .Darst, daughter of N. B. Darst, and they have one daughter, Kathryn D. Mr. Bimm is a member of the Dayton City Club and the Dayton Country Club and also of the Masonic fraternity, in which he is both a Knight Templar and a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason. His political belief is indicated in the fact that he holdsmembership in the Garfield Club. As a youth he united with the Lutheran church and is interested in any movements which tend to promote the material, social, intellectual, political and moral progress of his native city. HENRY HERMAN BIMM. The name of Bimm is an honored one on commercial paper and in commercial circles of Dayton, for it has long been a synonym for enterprise and reliability in the business life of the city. The subject of this review is a native son of Dayton, his birth occurring February 26, 1858. At the usual age he was sent to the public schools, where he continued his studies for some time, and later attended a preparatory private school for two years. He then matriculated in Lafayette College, in Easton, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated with the class of 1879, and thus well qualified by liberal education for the practical and responsible duties of life, he returned to Dayton and became associated with his father, Ezra Bimm, in the grocery and ice business, and with his brother Joseph E. succeeded to the business on the father's death in 1904. He is the president of the Pasteur Filter Company and of the Music Hall Company, vice-president of the Bimm Dayton Ice & Cold Water Supply Company and secretary of the Bimm Realty Company, the brothers being associated in these various enterprises. In his political views Mr. Bimm is a republican. He belongs to the Knight Templar commandery, is a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of the Mystic Shrine and is in hearty sympathy with the beneficent spirit that underlies the craft. His social relations extend to the Dayton City and Country Clubs and he is a member of the First Presbyterian church. Mr. Bimm was married in 1891, in Dayton, to Miss Belle Ralston, a daughter of John Ralston, and they have one son, Ezra Burnett Bimm, who was born in 1902.