DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 201 hundred and five acres situated five and a half miles south of Dayton in Van, Buren township, the place being principally devoted to the raising of grain and high grade live stock. In 1887 Mr. Coleman was married in Dayton to Miss Wilhelmina C. E. Mohme. They are pleasantly located in Dayton during the winter, the summer being spent on their farm. The hospitality of their home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Mr. Coleman belongs to both the subordinate lodge and the encampment in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is also connected with the Junior Order of American Mechanics. His religious faith is in accordance with the doctrines taught by the Park Presbyterian church, in which he holds membership, while his political belief is that of the republican party. All through his life he has displayed many substantial qualities of character and is as well known and honored in business circles by reason of what he has accomplished as he is respected in social circles by reason of his admirable qualities. ROBERT NEWTON KING. Robert Newton King, one of Dayton's capitalists, who since 1875 has made his home in this city, was for a long period connected with railroad contracting and stands today among those whose well directed efforts, business discernment and judicious investment have placed them beyond the pale where activity in business circles is a necessity. He was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in 1845, of the marriage of Lyman and Maria P. King, who although of the same name was not a relative. The father's birth occurred in Suffield, Connecticut, in 1812, and when a young man he located in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1886. He was early interested in furnishing the water supply for the city and was identified with many large enterprises in Massachusetts. He was one of the pioneer paper manufacturers and was largely engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods. Robert Newton King is now the only survivor of a family of three children. In his infancy his parents removed to Springfield, Massachusetts, where he was reared and acquired a public school education. He also attended the Connecticut Literary Institute, at Suffield, Connecticut, and when he left school at the age of nineteen years he entered his father's woolen mills in Springfield, remaining in that line of business for several years. Subsequently he engaged in railroad contracting, which he carried on for many years. In 1875 he took a contract for building one hundred and seventeen miles of the Dayton & Southeastern Railroad, now a part of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton system. In that year he removed to Dayton to make his headquarters here. Many important contracts for railroad building have been awarded him throughout the middle west. He was president of the King Furnace Company of Tennessee, operating ore mines and a blast furnace for the manufacture of pig iron. In 1892 he organized and was president of the Stilwell-Bierce & Smith-Vaile Manufacturing Company. He retired from the active management of the company in 202 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY 1901 and opened an office at 49 Wall street, New York, and from there conducted the development of a number of large water power and long distance electric transmission plants. He retired from active business in 1905. The extent and volume of his business have placed him among the capitalists of this city. In the control of his interests he. has displayed splendid managerial ability, has seemed to know when, where and how to put forth his efforts to the best advantage and through the unification of his forces at hand has reached the best possible results. It was subsequent to his removal to Dayton that Mr. King was married in 1879 in this city to Miss Harriet A. Snyder, and they now have a daughter and son : Margaret E., the wife of Herbert A. Simonds and Robert S., who was graduated from Yale College in June, 1909. Robert N. King is an advocate of republican principles but not an active partisan. He belongs to the Dayton City Club, the New York Athletic Club and other clubs of New York city. His large business undertakings have brought him into prominence, gaining him a wide acquaintance in various parts of the country and from the outset of his career his name has been an honored one on commercial paper. With ability to plan and perform he has reached a position today among the moneyed men of Dayton that is most enviable and commendable. JUDGE O. W. IRVIN, Judge O. W. Irvin is preeminently a man of affairs and one who has wielded a wide influence. He is connected with various corporate interests of Dayton, chief among which are the First Savings & Banking Company, of which he is president, the Irvin, Jewell, Vinson Company and the Western Ohio Creamery Company. At the same time he continues in the active practice of law, in which his ability has won him well earned distinction. A native son of Dayton, he was born in 1866 and reared in this city, and acquired his preliminary education in the public schools, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from, the Central high school in 1883. His more classical course was pursued in Yale of which he is an alumnus of 1887. With his Bachelor of Arts degree he returned to Dayton and for four years was closely identified with the educational interests of the city as a teacher in the Central high school. Regarding this, however, merely as an initial step to further professional labor, he entered the Cincinnati Law School and was graduated with the class of 1892. Opening an office in Dayton, Mr. Irvin still remains in active practice here and his comprehensive knowledge of the law is not only of value to his clients, but also constitutes an element in the successful control of the various business interests with which he has become identified. In 1903, upon the organization of the First Savings & Banking Company, he was elected to the presidency and has so continued to this time. He is likewise interested in the Irvin, Jewell, Vinson Company, dealers in paints and kindred commodities, and is the president of the Western, Ohio Creamery Company of Greenville. His title of judge, DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 203 by which he is usually known, came as the result of his election in 1893 to the bench of probate court of Montgomery county, where, he served in most acceptable manner for two terms. Clear in his decision, sound in his judgment and practical in all he undertakes, these qualities have been salient and forceful elements in his practice of law, in his probate service and in his management of various business concerns. Judge Irvin is well known as one of the republican leaders of Dayton, taking a deep interest in the vital political questions and issues of the day and in all matters of governmental policy his wide information concerning political problems enables him to defend his position in intelligent argument. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine, being in hearty sympathy with the beneficent principles of the craft and, appreciative also of the social amenities of life, he has extended his membership relations to the Dayton Bicycle Club. CHARLES W. MACK. Among the men of business enterprise, whose activity has been the source of their success, is numbered Charles W. Mack, a wholesale and retail butcher of Van Buren township. He is numbered among Dayton's native sons, his birth having there occurred on the 23d of November, 1866. His parents were Alexander and Elizabeth (Englauf) Mack. The father, who for many years engaged in the butchering business, is now living retired and is one of the best known of Dayton's citizens. He was born there and has become prominent, not only in its business circles but also as one of the local leaders of the democracy. Unto him and his wife were born : Charles W. ; Dorothy, the widow of Harvey Weifenbaugh ; Arizona ; and Alexander. Charles W. Mack is indebted to the public schools of Dayton for the early educational privileges he enjoyed and later he attended the Brothers Institute for two years. During his periods of vacation he worked with his father and had some experience and training in mechanical lines in the car shops. He is truly a self-made man for whatever success he has achieved is attributable entirely to his persistent and well directed efforts. He worked for a number of years for the National Cash Register Company and by carefully saving his earnings was at length able to embark in business on his own account as a wholesale and retail butcher. He organized his present enterprise in 1904 and has been very successful in its conduct since that time. He is one of the younger generation of butchers who closely study the conditions of the animals and all secondary interests and in his chosen field of labor he has built up an extensive field of trade. On the 13th of June, 1891, Mr. Mack was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Goehring, of Dayton, a daughter of George and Catherine (Karg) Goehring. The father came from Germany when a young man and was educated in the old country. Making his way at once to Dayton, he secured employment in the car shops, being a patternmaker by trade. He continued to reside in this city until called to his final rest and his remains were at length interred in Woodland 204 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY cemetery. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mack have been 'born two children : Edward G., who is now attending the Cincinnati Art School ; and Catharine, who is also a student. Mr. Mack has erected an attractive home and his business and residence are visible evidences of his life of well directed thrift and enterprise. He belongs to the German Lutheran church and is a man who in all relations is upright and honorable, reliable and straightforward. He has always remained in Montgomery county and his many good qualities have won for him a high regard. WILLIAM LIGGETT BATES. William Liggett Bates, a merchandise broker of Dayton, the extent of whose commercial interests makes him worthy to be classed with the representative business men of this city, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 27, 1844, and in the paternal line comes of English ancestry. His father, Richard Bates, was born in Lincolnshire, England. on the 2d of August, 18o8, and arrived in America in early manhood, locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, where for many years he successfully conducted business interests as a wholesale grocer. On the 9th of February, 1835, in that city, he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Trotter, who was born near Glencoe, Ohio, March 4, 1814. She became one of the most prominent women not only of Dayton and Montgomery county but also of the entire state. She was the first president of the Woman's Christian Association of Dayton and was largely instrumental in raising the funds for the Orphan's Home, originally located on the present site of the Miami Valley Hospital, remaining president of that institution up to the time of her death. It was also largely due to her efforts that the Widow's Home was organized and she was also its president when called from this life. She devoted not only her time but also her means to charitable work. She was president of the Soldier's Aid Society and during the Civil war many soldiers were indebted to her for clothing, food, fruits and delicacies. She passed away on the 22d of October, 1870, at the age of fifty-six years, loved and respected by all who knew her. The father of our subject died March 21, 1855. In the family were seven children, namely : John, who died at the age of five years ; Susan L., the wife of John H. Winters of Dayton ; Richard J., who died at the age of sixty-eight years ; Adolphus S., a resident of White Salmon, Washington ; William L., the subject of this sketch ; Joseph S., who died at the age of five years ; and Ella M., the widow of Charles T. Huffman of Dayton. After spending the first fourteen years of his life in the city of his nativity, William L. Bates came to Dayton with his widowed mother and here continued his education until, during his third year in high school, he offered his services to the government in defense of the Union, enlisting on the 4th of May, 1864, at the age of eighteen years, as a private of Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was then made corporal and with that rank served for one hundred days at Fort Federal Hill and vicinity. He had previously been with the Fiftieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the sutler of which was a relative of his, spending the winter of 1863-1864 with that regiment. He was DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 205 mustered out at Camp Chase, Ohio, in September, 1864, and at once returned to Dayton. Of the eighty-seven men mustered into his company May 4, 1864, only thirty-two are known to be living and on the forty-fifth anniversary celebration held May 4, 1909, there were only twenty-three of these present. After the war, in connection with his two brothers, Mr. Bates entered the retail grocery business in Dayton under the firm name of .Bates Brothers, which relation was maintained for four years, when he joined his brother in law, Charles T. Huffman, in the grocery business in 187o. He was thus associated with the commercial interests of this city for four years and in 1874 withdrew and went upon the road for a New York grocery firm which he represented for several years. In November, 1877, he turned his attention to the merchandise brokerage business and has continued in that department of commercial activity to the present time. His long association therefore, covering thirty-two years, indicates something of the success which he has achieved. Thoroughly familiar with the trade and market conditions, he has handled important and profitable lines, his capable management and keen business discernment being a strong element in the considerable success which he has won. On the 22d of October, 1868, Mr. Bates was married in Tiffin, Ohio, to Miss Belle Noble, a daughter of Hon. Warren P. Noble, a well known statesman of Ohio, who served for several terms in congress. Their only child, Laura M., died August 17, 1885, at the age of sixteen years. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, Mr. Bates has been a stalwart republican, in sympathy with the policy of the party in controlling federal and international relations. In 1898 he was appointed a member of the board of city affairs of Dayton and rendered capable and businesslike service in that capacity for three years. He is well known in various fraternal relations, being a comrade of Old Guard Post, G. A. R., while in Masonry he has attained high rank. He was captain general of Reed Commandery No. 6, K. T., of Dayton for twelve years, is past grand commander of the Knights Templars of Ohio, has been presiding officer at various important Masonic meetings and has been honored with the thirty-third degree. He also belongs to Christ Episcopal church and the guiding principles of his life are those which work for reliabilty and progressiveness in material affairs, for loyalty and advancement in citizenship and for a recognition of the obligations of the individual to his fellowman. JOHN H. POHLKOTTE. The life record of John H. Pohlkotte is an exemplification of the fact that a humble beginning in business life need not hamper the individual in his efforts to attain success, for through well directed energy he has gradually extended his interests until now he is well known in commercial circles as the president of the Gem Shirt Company. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1848 and the following year was brought to Dayton by his parents so that he was reared and educated in this city. He attended the public schools to the age of thirteen years, when he started out to earn his own living and has since been dependent entirely 206 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY upon his labors for whatever success he has enjoyed. He was employed in various ways for a few years and in 1865 secured a clerkship with Coffman, Osborn & Company, wholesale dealers in notions. That he proved competent and reliable is plainly indicated by the fact that he remained with the house until 1879, was promoted from time to time and for a brief period represented the company upon the road. Ambitious to engage in business on his own account, this step was finally made possible through his careful expenditure and untiring industry. In 1879 he entered into partnership with C. J. Coffman in the establishment of a wholesale notion business in Dayton under the style of C. J. Coffman & Company, the firm name being thus continued until 1889, when they purchased a shirt factory in this city. With the extension of the business to include the latter line papers of incorporation were taken out under the name of the Gem Shirt Company with Mr. Pohlkotte as president. This was in 1892 and he has since continued at the head of the enterprise which, under his careful direction, has become one of the important business concerns of the city in both manufacturing and sales lines. In 1888 Mr. Pohlkotte was married to Miss Louise B. Coffman and unto them have been born three sons and four daughters, who are yet living. In politics he is an independent republican, frequently supporting the candidates of the republican party but maintaining also an independent position which permits of his support of any candidate whom he thinks best qualified for the office. He is a citizen of substantial worth, interested in the welfare and progress of Dayton, where for sixty years he has made his home, his cooperation being freely given to many movements for the general good. SAMUEL E. KUMLER. Samuel E. Kumler, whose life record has been governed by an intelligent appreciation for and utilization of opportunities, has, without special advantages at the outset of his career, made steady progress in the business, world until he now occupies a leading position in his relations with the mercantile interests of Dayton, being the secretary and treasurer of the Rike-Kumler Company. A native of Preble county, Ohio, Mr. Kumler was born in Lewisburg, November 29, 1839, and is a son of Bishop Henry and Christina (Zeller) Kumler. The former was born in Pennsylvania in 1801 and came to Ohio with his parents at an early age. Here he married Miss Christina Zeller, who was born in the Keystone state in 1798 and was a daughter of Rev. Andrew Zeller, a bishop of the United Brethren church. There were nine children born of that marriage but only three are now living: Jesse B., a resident of Dayton ; Salome K., who was the wife of David L. Rike ; and Samuel E. Those who have passed away are.: David, who died July 5, 1895, at Lewisburg, Ohio, when seventy-three years of age ; Andrew, who died in 1870 at the age of forty-seven years ; Henry P., who died February 5, 1893, at the age of sixty-three years ; Susan, the wife of Abraham Dye, who passed away in' March, 1865, at the age of thirty-six ; DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 209 Noah W., who departed this life February 4, 1902, at the age of seventy-four years ; and Daniel R., who died in 1858 at the age of twenty-five years. In taking up the personal history of Samuel E. Kumler we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Dayton, having for more than a half century resided in this city. He remained at the place of his nativity to the age of fifteen years and there attended the public schools. In 1857 he came to Dayton and during the succeeding three years learned the bookbinder's trade. Desiring, however, higher educational advantages, owing to his realization of the fact that broad mental discipline is a valuable asset in the business world, he entered Otterbein University at Westerville, Ohio, in 186o and continued his studies through the year. On the "29th of August, 1861, constrained by a spirit of patriotism, he offered his services to the government and was assigned to duty with Company H, Fifteenth United States Infantry, for three years, or during the war. He served for eighteen months in the ranks and was then commissioned commissary sergeant, filling that position through the succeeding year and a half. On the 28th of August, 1864, by reason of the expiration of his term of enlistment, he was honorably discharged in front of Atlanta. He had participated in the battles of Shiloh and Stone River, had witnessed the engagement at Lookout Mountain, took part in the battle of Missionary Ridge and had marched from Shiloh to Louisville, Kentucky, with his command. During the Atlanta campaign he was in several skirmishes as a volunteer. During his three years service he was never wounded nor captured, never lost a day through illness or received a furlough, but was always at his post of duty, whether on the picket line or the firing line or on the long, hard marches. After receiving his discharge Mr.. Kumler returned to Dayton and when he had pursued a course of bookkeeping he entered the store of Prugh & Rike as bookkeeper and salesman. That he manifested ability, fidelity and thoroughness in the discharge of his duties is indicated by the fact that he was admitted as a partner in 1866, at which time Robert I. Cummin was also taken into the firm, under the style of D. L. Rike & Company. The business was conducted under that name for twenty-six years or until the fall of 1892, when it was reorganized as the Rike Dry Goods Company and on the death of Mr. Cummin became the Rike-Kumler Company. For forty-three years Mr. Kumler has had a voice in the management of this enterprise which is today one of the largest and most important commercial concerns in this city, and the substantial and continuous growth of the business speaks in unmistakable terms of the safe policy and progressive spirit of Mr. Kumler and his associates, who are continually seeking out new lines for the expansion of their trade and yet at all times temper their activity with a safe conservatism. In addition to his mercantile interests Mr. Kumler is a director and treasurer of the Equitable Building & Loan Association and president of the board of trustees of the United Brethren Publishing Company, and chairman of the local committee. In 1866 Mr. Kumler was married in Dayton to Miss Mary L. Chambers, a daughter of Jacob and Amelia Chambers. They are now the parents of five children, as follows : Irvin G. ; Bessie C., the wife of Charles H. Bosler ; Richard C.; Barrett L. ; and Ada B., the wife of Charles D. Bronson, of the firm of 210 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY Thomas & Bronson, attorneys of Dayton. The sons are all connected with the Rike-Kumler Company as managers of various departments. Mr. and Mrs. Kumler are faithful members and active workers of the First United Brethren church, his deep interest in the cause being manifest in the fact that he is now serving for the thirty-fifth consecutive year as superintendent of the Sunday-school. For an equal number of years he has also been a trustee of the church and the treasurer and was secretary of the official board for a term of thirty years: His own zeal and interest in the work is an inspiration to others and constitutes a strong factor in the substantial growth of the organization. His political endorsement is given to the republican party because of his firm belief in its principles, yet without desire for office as a reward for party fealty. He stands today as a prominent and honored representative of commercial interests—strong in his honor and good name, strong in his ability to plan and to perform. GEORGE B. HOLT. Almost six decades ago the following words were penned : "The future historian must give the name of George B. Holt a place among the patriotic and the farseeing statesmen of the commonwealth who a quarter of a century ago planted the seed which has made Ohio the third if not the second in rank among the states of the Union." Now when sixty years have passed the historian takes the right in paying tribute to the memory of one whose life was of great value and usefulness to his fellow citizens and the commonwealth at large, who ranked with the leading lawyers of Dayton, was one of the promoters of the public-school system and of the Miami canal, who made an untarnished record as a jurist and was also connected with the agricultural, political, social and moral progres of his community. Mr. Holt was born in Norfolk, Litchfield county, Connecticut, in the year 1790. His parents early planned that he should become a member of the bar and, this course proving agreeable to him, he entered the law school of Judges Reeve and Gould in Litchfield, Connecticut, and in 1812 passed the required examination that secured him admission to the bar. About that time the east was aroused by the tales concerning the vast fertility and the rich lumber resources of the state of Ohio—tales that were told by the hardy emigrants who had already established their homes in the western wilderness. Mr. Holt became imbued with the desire to cast in his lot with the early settlers who were making history in the then far west and desired to bear his part with those who were molding the destiny and shaping the policy of the newly created state of Ohio. Accordingly be became a resident of Dayton in 1819 when it was still a small village and in 1820 he entered upon the practice of law here. The conditions that confronted the members of the bar were extremely different at that time from those which the present lawyer faces. He had to "ride the circuit" which meant that he traveled on horseback over roads that were little more than bridle DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 211 paths and in the springtime when the streams were swollen into angry floods he often had to trust himself to a frail canoe or ride his horse through the troubled waters and then emerging on the opposite bank perhaps continue his way for miles through the forest before he would come to a hospitable cabin in which he might dry his clothes and obtain food, rest and shelter. Mr. Holt was, however, well grounded in the principles of law and proved an able minister in the temple of justice at a time when it was the ambition and purpose of the lawyer to secure equitable rulings without using the subterfuges of technicalities to secure verdicts favorable to their clients regardless of the salient points of the case. Mr. Holt was, moreover, an active factor in the life of the little, but growing, town of Dayton and in 1822 established the Miami Republican which he conducted for three years and which was characterized in a little serial, The Convention and Its Men, as a "newspaper devoted to news, agriculture and the dissemination of democratic doctrines." In the fall of 1824 Mr. Holt was called to represent his district in the state legislature .and was an active participant in securing the passage of many acts which made that an important session in the history of the Ohio assembly. The lands of the state were then divided into first, second and third classes and taxed accordingly, and it frequently occurred that the wild lands and the improved farms were equally taxed--a condition that called loudly for amendment. The remedy was forthcoming in an enactment of the session of 1824-25 in a policy that has since been followed by the state. Another important question which came up for consideration was the building of canals. Ohio, under the direction of DeWitt Clinton, had begun its canal system and Judge Holt and many others of, his colleagues recognized the fact that there should be a waterway between the Ohio river and Lake Erie to afford the needed shipping facilities for the state. Judge Holt advocated this course through the columns of his paper and after elected to the legislature was instrumental in securing the passage of the first canal law, under which the Ohio and Miami canals were commenced, constituting the initial step in the work of internal improvement in Ohio. Judge Holt was also active in promoting the public-school system. At that time the state had little income for its products were not shipped out and there was little ready money in circulation. There was a growing feeling that the state should give equal educational opportunities to the rich and poor, the high and low, and the legislature of 1824-25 took up this question, Judge Holt being appointed a member of the committtee to whom the subject was referred and which in time reported a bill that became a law and established the common-school system of Ohio. As we review the history of the past it seems almost increditable that a feeling existed such as was prevalent at that day. The rich felt that they should not be called upon to contribute money to educate other people's children and the poor were told by those who opposed the law that their children would be educated at pauper schools and their pride was thus aroused to resistance and the clamor became so great that many of the advocates of the school system were not reelected to the legislature at the ensuing election but Judge Holt, because of his advocacy of the Miami canal, was one of the successful candidates: He was also chosen a member of the state senate in 1828 and served during that and the succeeding term, during 212 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY which time he was chairman of the committee on internal improvements, one of the most important of that day. During his last session in the general assembly Judge Holt was elected president judge of the circuit court and served during the constitutional term of seven years. At the beginning of that term his circuit was composed of Montgomery, Clark, Champaign, Logan, Miami, Darke, Shelby and Mercer counties and later Clark, Champaign and Logan were cut off while Allen and Putnam were attached to the first circuit. After his retirement from the bench Judge Holt again took up the practice of law although he did not give his entire time to it and under appointment of the court he served for one year as prosecuting attorney of Montgomery county, one year in the same office in Mercer and two terms in Van Wert county. In the meantime, in 1827, when the state militia was an important force in the life of Ohio, Judge Holt was elected brigadier general and for some years commanded one of the finest brigades in the state. After the close of his first term on the bench he divided his time between the practice of law and agricultural pursuits. He was the owner of a valuable farm and was also extensively engaged in raising fine stock, spending large sums in improving the breed of cattle. He introduced into this part of the state the first thoroughbred short-horned Durham cattle and did everything to encourage the raising of high-grade stock. He was also president of the Agricultural Society of Montgomery County for a time. During the legislative session of 1842-43 he was again chosen for the bench and once more served for seven years as president judge. His decisions were strictly fair and impartial and he ranked with the eminent jurists of an early day, whose records graced the courts of the state. He was made a member of the board of health during the memorable cholera scourge of 1849 and was among the earliest and constant volunteers to visit and minister to the relief of the sufferers. He was made president of the board and his service was of the utmost value through that calamitous period. Again Judge Holt was called to public office when in the fall of 1849 he was made the democratic nominee for the position of delegate to revise, amend and change the constitution of the state and proved an active, working member of that body, being intsrnmental in shaping many of the organic laws which still remain intact upon the statute books of Ohio. He was made the head of the committee on jurisprudence and his impress for influence and utility was strongly felt in the work of the convention. In 1821 Judge Holt was married to Miss Mary H. Blodget, a daughter of Dr. William Blodget. Their only surviving child is Miss Martha Holt, of Dayton. Their daughter, Mary Belle. became the wife of Thomas Ashton Burrowes and their daughter, Miss Mary Burrowes, is Judge Holt's only living descendant in this county besides the Judge's daughter. For many years Judge Holt was a member of the Presbyterian church, interested and active in its work. He was also a stalwart champion of the cause of temperance, his service on the bench giving him comprehensive knowledge of the evils and abuses caused by intemperance. In a publication issued while Judge Holt was still living is said : "As president judge of the first judicial district Judge Holt gained an enviable reputation. He ranked, before his election to the bench, as a sound lawyer and to that DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 213 he soon added the highest reputation of an able and impartial judge. During a service of fourteen years in a circuit distinguished for the legal talent of its bar it is a high compliment to say that he gave entire satisfacton and that, popular as he ever has been as a man, his popularity as a judge exceeded it." CHARLES H. SCHAEFFER. Charles Henry Schaeffer, well known among the insurance men of the middle west, because of the volume of business which he successfully controls and the enterprise he has manifested in securing his extensive clientage, was born in Dayton, January 12, 1857. His father, Valentine Schaeffer, was likewise .a native of Montgomery county, his birth having occurred in Germantown in 1825. In his boyhood, however, he removed to a farm in Williams county, Ohio, and assisted in clearing the wilderness and transforming the wild lands into productive fields. In early manhood, however, he determined to engage in commercial rather than in agricultural pursuits and came to Dayton, where he established a dry goods business, which he continued until just prior to the Civil war. He was in the one hundred days' service and was ever a loyal advocate of the Union cause. After the war he entered the Dayton State Bank, now the Dayton National Bank, as bookkeeper and there remained for twenty-seven years. He was then in the life and fire insurance business until about 1897, when he retired. Many years had been devoted to active business and his rest was well merited. In early manhood he had wedded Mary Ellen Achey and unto them were born nine children, all of whom reached years of maturity, namely : Edgar A.; Albert V. ; Nellie S., the wife of Samuel Weller ; Charles H. ; Louise, the wife of Godfrey Holderhoff ; Lester A. ; John J. ; Harriet B., the wife of William Bishop, and A. Wilbur. The mother still survives at the age of eighty-one years. Charles H. Schaeffer acquired his education in the public schools, passing through consecutive grades until he reached the Central high school, although he did not finish his course there. At the age of sixteen he took up the more difficult lessons in the school of experience and has applied himself faithfully to their mastery. He entered the establishment of Reynolds & Reynolds, bookbinders and printers, with whom he continued for seven years, and there learned the printer's trade. Subsequently he was employed in the bookbinding establishment of Payne & Holden, with whom he continued for some years, and was also with the Holden Manufacturing Company, their successors. In 1884 he severed his connection with that house and joined his father, Valentine Schaeffer, in the life and fire insurance business, under the firm name of V. Schaeffer & Son. The name has since been continued although the father died on the 2d of October, 1906. The name of Schaeffer has long stood as a synonym for enterprise and reliability in insurance lines in this city and the volume of business enjoyed by the house attests the progressive methods and unremitting diligence of Mr. Schaeffer. 214 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY In 1889 was celebrated the marriage of Charles H. Schaeffer and Miss Elizabeth Leibrock, a daughter of Louis Leibrock. In his fraternal relations he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to both the subordinate lodge and the encampment, in which he has held all of the chairs. His political allegiance is given to the republican party but he is not active in its work although he believes firmly in its principles and does all he can to further its interests. His entire life has been passed in Dayton, where his substantial qualities have gained him the favorable regard of his business colleagues and the companies which he represents. His geniality and deference for the opinions of others have gained him a creditable position in social circles and wherever he is known he is held in high esteem. HENRY D. RINEHART, M. D. Dr. Henry D. Rinehart, who, as a member of the medical profession, is making a- specialty of the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, has become very successful in that department, for his study and researches have been thorough and broad, and, moreover, he readily perceives the relation of the scientific principles of medicine to specific needs. One of Montgomery county's native sons, he was born on a farm in Randolph township, on the 25th of January, 1859, and was there reared, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He also attended the country schools through the periods of his youth and afterward became a student in a normal college at Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, while later he attended the Normal School at Ada, Ohio. Having decided to make his professional work the science of teaching, he was employed to teach a country school in Montgomery county, which school had "whipped out" two teachers during the previous winter term. He succeeded so well with his first efforts at teaching that he was retained as the teacher of said school for five successive years. After teaching both the common school branches and high school branches for eight years in Randolph township, he decided to change for his life professional work—to medicine and surgery. With broad literary learning to serve as the foundation upon which to build his professional knowledge, he took up the study of medicine and completed the full course in Long Island College Hospital at Brooklyn, New York. He was there graduated with the class of 1886. Immediately afterward he located for practice of general medicine in Covington, Miami county, Ohio, where he remained for fifteen years. On the expiration of that period, he pursued a course in the Chicago Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat College, in 1901-2, for he was greatly interested in this field of practice and, determining to so qualify for the work in that line that he might make it a specialty, concentrated his entire energies thereon. On leaving the Chicago college, he came to Dayton, where he has since remained in active practice and has secured a large patronage, for his labors have been effective in making the cures that were sought and thus his reputation has grown. In professional lines he is connected with the Montgomery County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Association, the Dayton Acad- DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 217 emy of Medicine, the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Oto-Laryngology and member of the staff of the Miami Valley Hospital. In 1882 Dr. Rinehart was married to Miss Emma Weybright, a native of this county. Their three daughters are Pearl, Ethel and Opal. Miss Pearl, after graduating in the Covington high school, entered Earlham College and after four years graduated with honors from said college in the classical course and is a teacher of languages in high school. Miss Ethel, after pursuing a high school course, is a student at National Park Seminary. Miss Opal is a junior in Steele high school. In his religious faith Dr. Rinehart is a Christian, holding membership in the Third Street Presbyterian church. He was for thirteen years superintendent of Sunday school and he takes an active and helpful interest in the various lines of church work. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but while he firmly believes in its principles, he does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his professional duties, which he always promptly performs with a sense of conscientious obligation. At the organization of the Riverdale Welfare Club in 1906, he was elected as vice president and has been reelected each year since. This club is recognized as one of the influential bodies with both political parties. At the organization he was elected, by the executive committee, as associate editor of Riverdale Welfare Bulletin and has been reelected each year to assist in the editing of this monthly periodical. Though a very busy man in his profession, he has found time to engage in the outside work for the betterment of the community and his profession. He served as secretary of Montgomery County Medical Society for the year 19o8, and at expiration of his secretaryship, he was elected a member of board of censors of that society. GEORGE W. OZIAS. George W. Ozias, attorney at law of Dayton, was born in Farmersville, Montgomery county, Ohio, January 28, 1863. During his infancy his parents removed to a farm in Logan county, Ohio, whereon his youthful days were passed in a division of his time between the labors of the fields, the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground. When a youth of sixteen he entered Delaware College at Delaware, Ohio, and was graduated on the completion of the classical course in 1883, when twenty years of age. In the meantime he had resolved to make the practice of law his life work and to this end matriculated in the Cincinnati Law 'School where he was graduated in 1886. The same year Mr. Ozias came to Dayton and accepted the general agency for the Bradstreets Commercial Agency, which position he filled for five years. This brought him a wide acquaintance so that he felt justified in entering upon the active practice of law, feeling that he now might be reasonably sure of a good patronage. Accordingly he opened his office and has since remained as an active attorney of Dayton. His success from the beginning has been uniform and 218 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY rapid. Added to his thorough understanding of the general principles of the law, he has specialized in the department of corporation law and that he is well qualified in this branch of the profession is indicated by the fact that a number of the important corporations and business firms in this city employ him to manage their legal interests. On the 4th of January, 1897, in Dayton, Mr. Ozias was married to Miss Blanche B. Whealen, and they have one son, Charles Whealen, now eleven years of age. Mr. Ozias is a member of the Masonic order. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, while his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Grace Methodist Episcopal church. While not active in party work, he is a believer in republican principles and at the polls gives his support to the party candidates. The various interests which constitute the important features of life are of interest to him and many of them receive his endorsement and cooperation and at the same time he is never neglectful of the duties which devolve upon him in his professional relations, his devotion to his clients' interests having "become proverbial. DAVID H. TERRY. David H. Terry, one of the well known republican leaders of Montgomery county, where he is now acceptably filling the office of justice of the peace, was born. in Dayton, May 26, 1872. Here he was reared and at the usual age entered the public school, passing through the consecutive grades until when he put aside his text-books he was in the third year of high school. He received special training for the business world in the Miami Commercial College, of Dayton, from which he was graduated with the class of 1893. He then engaged with J. I). Whitmore, a coal man, as bookkeeper, occuping that position for eighteen months, after which he accepted a clerical position with J. R. Thomson, as justice of the peace. He also began reading law and was with justice Thomson for three years, and for one year with his successor, J. W. McKeown. When that time had passed Mr. Terry entered the employ of the City Street Railway Company, with which he was connected for five years, spending two and a half years as motor man and two and a half years as conductor. In 1903 he was elected justice of the peace on the republican ticket for a, term of three years and has since been reelected, so that his present incumbency will continue to the 1st of January, 1910. His decisions are strictly fair and impartial and thus he has "won golden opinions from all sorts of people." Mr. Terry was married in Dayton, in 1895, to Miss Anna G. Remmer, and they have four children, Ruth Louise, Edna May, Florence Margaret and George Robert. Mr. Terry is a Scottish Rite Mason and has also attained the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite. He likewise belongs to the Mystic Shrine and is secretary of Dayton Lodge, No. 147, F. & A. M. He is a member of the Garfield Club and is past grand of Fraternal Lodge, No. 510, I. 0. 0. F., in which he holds the office of secretary. He is likewise past chancellor of Hope Lodge, No. 277, K. P., and belongs to Dayton Lodge, No. 3526, M. W. A. The fact that DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 219 he has been called to office in these various organizations is indicative of his loyalty to the interests of the fraternities and his popularity among his brethren of the orders. He belongs to the Broadway Methodist Episcopal church and is a man whose trustworthiness and fidelity to duty are among his most salient characteristics. JOSIAH P. LANDIS, D. D. Dr. Josiah P. Landis, one of the eminent representatives of the clergy of the United Brethren church, is widely known as a writer on theological subjects and as a lecturer, while his local connection with Dayton is that of professor of Old Testament theology and exegisis in the Bonebrake Theological Seminary. He was born October 27, 1844, at Brickerville, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. It is not definitely known whether the ancestry was German or French, but the name was originally spelled Landes, which is also the name of a department of Franc.e. The first representatives of the family came to this country about the year 1710 from Switzerland. They were Mennonites and one of the name suffered a martyr's death for his faith while others were imprisoned. They fled to the shores of America that they might have liberty to worship God according to the dictates of their conscience and settled in the southeastern counties of Pennsylvania. Some of the family still adhere to the Mennonite faith but in 1844 Joseph and Caroline (Weiler) Landis, the parents of Dr. J. P. Landis, became members of the United Brethren in Christ, which denomination now numbers two hundred and eighty-one thousand members. The father was a merchant in Brickerville and also in Campbelltown, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania. In April, 1854, he removed with his family to Illinois but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home for his death occurred on the 5th of July, 1855. Dr. Landis acquired his education in the common schools of Pennsylvania and Illinois. He had accompanied his parents to the latter state in 1854 and in a few months the family with several other families from Pennsylvania purchased land upon the prairie in Will county, Illinois, six miles south of Joliet, at which time only two houses were in sight. He spent the next five years on the prairie farm and on account of his skill in mechanical lines took charge of the farm machinery and the operation of the fields. After the first year he attended school during the winter months, and one of his teachers, a Miss Whiting, instructed him in popular astronomy, especially acquainting him with the constellations which, together with physiology, became his favorite natural science. He had a great taste for scientific study and investigation and expected to follow in the professional footsteps of several of his uncles who were physicians but later was deflected into theology. Through the influence of a young man considerably his senior he developed a voracious aptitude for books and reading which has made him, in the course of years, a man of broad scholarly attainments. Then before he continued his collegiate education he saw active service in the Civil war, enlisting as a member of Company A, Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry on the 4th of August, 1862. He was honorably . discharged August 220 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY 19, 1865, having for three years been connected with the army as a private. Participating in the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, August 3o, 1862, he was captured with several thousand other Union troops but was presently paroled. He helped to dig ditches in front of Vicksburg in April, 1863, and took part in the whole of that memorable campaign. He also assisted in driving Johnston out of Jackson, Mississippi, and took part in the Guntown, Mississippi, expedition and also that against Tupelo, Mississippi, and was in the battle of Oldtown Creek. He participated in the siege of Spanish Fort on Mobile Bay in March, 1865, in the siege of Mobile and in several minor skirmishes. The hardships and privations of war did not seem detrimental to- him for he came out stronger, straighter and heartier than when he entered the service. It was subsequent to this time that he pursued a collegiate course in Otterbein University at Westerville, Ohio, from which he was graduated in June, 1869. During a part of the last year he was also a theological student in the Western Seminary at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and continuing his preparation for the ministry, was graduated from the Lane Theological Seminary at Cincinnati, Ohio, in May, 1871. Subsequently he studied for a time in Berlin University in Germany, taking work in philosophy and New Testament Theology. He also pursued a post-graduate course in theology in Wooster University, Ohio, and received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy cum laude. In 1872 Otterbein University conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts and ten years later honored him with the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Having qualified for the ministry, Dr. Landis served as pastor of what is now the Summit Street United Brethren church in Dayton from 1871 until 1874 and in the latter year went to Miltonville, Ohio, where he remained until 1877, going at that time to Germantown, where he also spent three years in pastoral work. In 188o he was elected to the professorship of chairs of Old Testament exegesis and pastoral theology in the Bonebrake Theological Seminary at Dayton, where his present professorship is that of Old Testament theology and exegesis although he still continued also to teach pastoral theology. In connection with the seminary work he assisted in the editorial work of the United Brethren Sunday school literature. Four years he was secretary of the board of education and was superintendent of the Sunday school thirteen successive years ; was president of the local Young People's Society of the Summit Street church for fourteen years ; of the Miami branch of the Young People's Christian Union for twelve years, and president of the General Young People's Union twelve years. He was long active in the county and denominational Sunday school work and state Sunday school work and was president of the Ohio Sunday School Union from 1884 until 1886. With the various departments of church work Dr. Landis has been connected, 'taking active and helpful interest in various lines which have contributed to the sum total of the grand work that is being carried on by his denomination. He has been a member of the American Society of Biblical Exegesis and has appeared before many important meetings dealing with various lines of church work. Since 186o he has held membership with the United Brethren of Christ and as the representative of this church was on the program at the International Sunday school convention at Atlanta, Georgia, in 1878, and again at Louisville, Ken- DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 221 tucky, in 1884. He was also a delegate to the convention at Toronto, Canada, in 1881 and the World's Sunday school convention in St. Louis, Missouri. He was likewise on the program of the Methodist Ecumenical conference at Washington, D. C. and delivered an address on The Philosophy and the Science of Religion at the parliament of religions in Chicago in 1893. He was secretary of the Tri-church Council of the Congregational, Methodist Protestant and United Brethren churches at Dayton in February, 1906, and at Chicago in March. 1907, and was a delegate to the council of Federated Churches of Christ in America, held at Philadelphia in December, 19o8, while in November of that year he was elected a delegate to the general conference of the United Brethren church which met at Canton, Ohio, in May, 1909. He is a fluent and facile writer as well as an eloquent, logical and entertaining speaker and has been a contributor to Bishop Weaver's Christian Doctrine. He is also the author of a small volume on the Holy Trinity and a pamphlet on The Relation of Theology to Philosophy. He has likewise written many articles for the church periodicals and was engaged to assist in editorial work on the Religious Telescope from October, 1908, until August, 1909. His services are in constant demand for addresses at conventions, institutes, Chautauquas and summer schools, and thus he is continually connected with the work of public instruction be it from the pulpit, the lecture platform or through the columns of the press. His thought is always clear-cut, cogently and convincingly presented and characterized by a terse and decisive logic. While it would be tautological in this connection to enter into any series of statements, showing him to be a man of broad scholarly attainments, for this has been shadowed forth between the lines of this review, it is but meet to say that he possesses as well a broad human sympathy and charity that makes him approachable to the men who seek his personal advice, counsel and guidance. On the 6th of June, 1872, Dr. Landis was married ih Dayton, Ohio, to Miss Addie Belle Kumler, a granddaughter of, Bishop Henry Kumler, Jr., and a great-granddaughter of Bishop Henry Kumler, Sr. Their children are : Jessie, the wile of Fobert D. Funkhouser Lulu Effie, at home with her parents ; and Robert Kumler, a student of law at Harvard University. While Dr. Landis has been connected with church interests of national prominence and is recognized as one of the ablest representatives of the ministry of the United Brethren church, he is not unmindful of his duties and obligations of citizenship and is interested in all that pertains to the substantial progress and improvement of Dayton. He is a member of the Present Day Club of Dayton and has an extensive circle of warm friends in this city aside from the many prominent representatives of his denomination who are glad to claim him as a friend.. BENJAMIN B. BOOKWALTER. Benjamin B. Bookwalter, owning and operating a farm on section 17, Jefferson township, was born on this place on the i 1th of September, 1863, his parents being Joseph and Susan (Brumbaugh) Bookwalter. The father's birth occurred in September, 1833, while the mother first opened her eyes to the light 222 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY of day in October, 1833. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Samuel and Hannah Bookwalter. Benjamin B. Bookwalter has always continued to reside on the farm where he was born and has been identified with general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. Energetic, industrious and enterprising, the fields annually yield golden harvests in return for.the care and labor which he bestows upon them and he is numbered among the progressive and successful farmers of the community. On the 15th of March, 1887, Mr. Bookwalter was united in marriage to Miss Dora Jane Cooper, a daughter of William and Lucinda (Harris) Cooper. They have one child, Carrie Frances, whose birth occurred on the 11th of November, 1888. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Bookwalter has given his political allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party, while his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to various positions of public trust. For several terms he has served as treasurer of Jefferson township and is still the capable incumbent in that office. He has also been a school director in his native township, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. In this community he has spent his entire life and that his career has ever been an upright and honorable one is indicated by the fact that the associates of his boyhood and- youth are still numbered among his best friends. GEORGE G. G. PECKHAM. The opportunity for successful accomplishment lies before every individual and the path leading to prosperity is that of unfaltering and indefatigable industry. Recognizing this fact, George G. G. Peckham has for seventeen years applied himself closely to every task devolving upon him in the business world and along the line of gradual advancement has reached an important and responsible position in commercial circles as the president of the Peckham Carriage Company, which has been succeeded by The Peckham Motor Car Company, of Dayton. He was born in Troy, Ohio, August 1, 1874, and his youthful days were there passed, his time being largely occupied with the acquirement of an education in the public schools. At the age of eighteen he came to Dayton and entered the Miami Commercial College for training that would equip him for a business career. He was graduated therefrom in 1892 and soon afterward accepted a position of bookkeeper with the Leidigh Carriage Company, his association with that house covering a period of six years. He then organized the Peckham Carriage Company for he desired that his labors should more directly benefit himself and from the beginning occupied the presidency of this important industrial concern, the trade of which constantly increased in extent and importance. In 1903 he extended the scope of the business by dealing in automobiles and his patronage in that direction has grown to large proportions. The name of the company has since been changed to the Peckham Motor Car Company. Mr. Peckham's suc-