50 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY the former generation. Mr. McIntire, however, fully meets every demand made upon him and his record is in harmony with that of an honored father who was the founder of the extensive wholesale grocery house with the management of which the son is now busily engaged. EDWARD MORRISON McINTIRE. The name of McIntire has long been interwoven with the commercial history of Dayton and has ever been synonymous with the strictest principles of commercial integrity as well as with continuous progress. While Edward Morrison McIntire entered upon a business already established, he has displayed great resourcefulness in enlarging and expanding its scope and meeting the changing demands of a progressive age. He has spent his entire life in this city, the date of his nativity being May 30, 1870. His youth was passed in his parents' home and he supplemented his public-school course by study in the private school conducted by Professor Deaver. He was nineteen years of age when he left school to enter business life, becoming connected with the wholesale grocery house of J. K. McIntire & Company, of which his father was the senior partner. He applied himself to the mastery of the business in which he became thoroughly familiar and upon his father's death he joined his brother, John S., in organizing the J. K. McIntire Company, of which he is vice president. The house has a liberal and gratifying patronage, resulting from the fact that a large and well selected line of goods is carried and that the company is prompt in meeting all demands of the trade. In no other field of activity has Edward M. McIntire directed his energies but has concentrated his efforts along a single line and his success is a well merited result of his labors. On the 6th of March, 1896, in Dayton, occurred the marriage of Mr. McIntire and Miss Louise Gebhart, a daughter of W. F. Gebhart. They have two children, John K. and Elizabeth. They are members of the First Baptist church and interested in those lines of thought and activity which further the progress of the city. Mr. McIntire is a valued and representative member of the Buz Fuz and Dayton City Clubs and the Country Club, and he votes with the republican party. He belongs to that class who uphold the political and legal status of the community, not because of any unusual phase in their life record or any spectacular chapters in their history, but because they hold themselves amenable to law and order and lend the use of their influence and efforts to movements for the promotion and the good of the individual and the community at large. HON. CHARLES WESLEY DUSTIN. Hon. Charles Wesley Dustin for fourteen years has sat upon the bench of Montgomery county and the second circuit of Ohio, while his present term will continue for four years more. A native of Zanesville, this state, his parents were the Rev. M. and Mary B. (Dana) Dustin. The father, whose death DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 51 occurred in Dayton, was a lineal descendant of Hannah Dustin, who, during the Indian war, after being captured by the redmen, killed ten Indians with a tomahawk in order to preserve the lives of herself and child, after two children had already been killed by the savages. A monument has been erected to her memory on an island in the Merrimac river, where occurred the incident. In his youthful days Rev. M. Dustin accompanied his parents on their removal from the Empire state to Washington county, Ohio, where he remained from that time until he attained his majority. His collegiate course was pursued in Marietta College, after which he became a minister of the Methodist church and for fifty years was in active Christian work, first in Ohio and afterward in the Cincinnati conference. He not only gave his attention to religious instruction and pastoral duties but also frequently discussed the vital political and governmental problems of the time and was particularly active, in opposing slavery. In 1890 he retired from the ministry and from 1893 until his death in the winter of 1896 was a resident of Dayton. His wife, who was a native of Washington county, Ohio, was a daughter of William Dana, a son of Captain William Dana, one of the pioneer residents of Ohio and a friend of the Blennerhassetts, whose home stood on the historic Blennerhassett island opposite to which lived Captain Dana. Rev. and Mrs. Dustin became the parents of five children, three of whom reached adult age. Judge Dustin, who is now the only surviving member of the family, was a pupil in the public schools during his youthful days and acquired his more specific literary course in the Wesleyan University at Delaware, from which he was graduated at an early age for he displayed marked aptitude in his studies. Later he devoted some time to educational work, being connected with colleges in Quincy, Illinois, and in Brookville, Indiana. In preparation for the bar he took up the study of law under the direction of Boltin & Shauck of Dayton and in due time was admitted to the bar and opened a law office in Dayton, making steady progress in his chosen profession. In his early years he did considerable newspaper work as editorial writer for the Daily Journal of Dayton and also in connection with other publications. He was also a contributor to the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette and a member of the editorial staff of the Cincinnati Graphic. The profession of law, however, has been his real life work and in February, 1895, he was elected to the bench of the common pleas court. His opinions show research, industry and care and have won the approval of and commended themselves to both the bench and bar of the state. In 1900 Judge Dustin was reelected to the common pleas bench and in 1904 he was appointed to the circuit bench by Governor M. T. Herrick to succeed Judge A. N. Summers, who had been elected to the supreme bench. At the next election he was chosen to serve out the unexpired term of Judge Summers, ending in February, 1907. In November, 1906, however, he was elected to serve for six years on the circuit court bench. Devotedly attached to his profession, systematic and methodical in habit, sober and discreet in judgment, calm in temper, diligent in research, conscientious in the discharge of every duty, courteous and kind in demeanor and inflexibly just on all occasions, these qualities have enabled Judge Dustin to take first rank among those who have held high judicial office in Ohio. 52 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY His reported opinions are monuments to his legal learning and superior ability, more lasting than brass and marble and more honorable than battles fought and won. They show a thorough study of the questions involved, a rare simplicity of style and an admirable terseness and clearness in the statement of the principles upon which the case rests. Judge Dustin, in early manhood, was united in marriage to Miss Alpha Hall Newkirk, of Connersville, Indiana, who died a few years later. The Judge is a member of the different Masonic bodies and of the Dayton Club. He is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the state and did valuable service while connected with the Dayton board of education for six or seven years. He has ever kept well informed upon the important political questions, was one of the organizers of the Ohio Republican League and served on the committee to draft its constitution. He was also a delegate to the convention held in New York city which organized the National Republican League. He remained an active factor in politics until his elevation to the bench and is still conversant with the political problems of the day. Fond of travel, he has frequently visited Europe and the Orient, has also made trips to Mexico, Canada and South America, and is largely familiar with the different portions of his own country. He is a man of broad general learning and wide culture and stands today as one of the strong men of his native state, strong in his professional ability, in his honor and his good name, and in all of those points which make for progressive citizenship. He is keenly interested in .all that pertains to civic improvement and was foremost in the movement to beautify the Great Miami river by the building of the dam. DAVID L. RIKE. The name of David L. Rike has for many years been to Dayton citizens a synonym for the highest standards of business integrity and enterprise, a progressive citizenship and of Christian purpose. While he is no longer an active factor in the world's work, he belongs to that great throng of the "Choir invisible Of those immortal dead who live again In lives made better by their presence." His parents were farming people of Montgomery county and at the family home near Dayton on the 17th of July, 1824, David L. Rike was born. His youthful days passed as monotonously but as happily as do those of most farm boys, who are reared to habits of industry and economy, developing in the open life of field and meadow a sturdy constitution. Hard work, plain fare and out of door experiences gave him no false values of life, but equipped him with that hardy, strong and clear vision that enabled him to meet all the hardships and trials that beset every individual, and to enjoy to the full the opportunities and pleasures which came to him. His early educational advantages were those DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 55 afforded by the common schools, but the necessity of assisting in the farm work somewhat limited his chance of attending school until he was twenty-one years of age, when he attended a private academy at Xenia, Ohio, working for his board and tuition. The following year he made his initial step in the commercial world by securing a situation in a store in Xenia, Ohio, the compensation for his services being sixty dollars a year and board. With Mr. Rike merchandising was not merely an occupation. He loved the details of buying, selecting and selling, and when he was a child "kept store" in a fence corner on the farm, with shelves of his own contriving and a stock of selected stones, grasses and leaves. He made up his mind to a mercantile career years before he came to it and was never attracted by any other occupation. He remained in his first position until 1850, when he came to Dayton and entered one of the largest dry-goods houses in the city at a salary of one hundred and twenty dollars per year. In 1853 he entered into business on his own account as a member of the firm of Prugh, Joyce & Rike and at that time was founded the enterprise now so well known in Dayton under the name of The Rike Dry Goods Company. This relation continued until 1867, when R. I. Cummin and S. E. Kumler came into the firm. For twenty-eight years the triple partnership remained unbroken, and unbroken also was the faith of the business world in the honorable standing of the company. During all this period the large and ever increasing interests of the firm had the personal attention and direction of Mr. Rike, to whose remarkable business capacity and good management their success was chiefly due. The store became one of the most important commercial enterprises of the city and the success of the company made Mr. Rike one of the substantial residents of Dayton. His financial advancement, however, was gained entirely without resource to speculation, being won through the legitimate channels of trade in an honorable effort to win patronage through straightforward business methods and judicious advertising. He was never known to take advantage of any man in a business transaction, allowed no clerk to misrepresent his goods and such was his honesty that his word was regarded as good as any bond ever solemnized by signature or seal. Perhaps the best illustration of Mr. Rike's conscientious spirit in the discharge of obligations is the arrangement made by him with his two younger partners when the business became a stock company. The firm had been known for twenty-five years as D. L. Rike & Company, Mr. Rike being the owner of half the capital, the other two, of one-fourth each. Mr. S. E. Kumler, one of the partners, has explained it thus : "In 1892 it was proposed to form a stock company, the three to own the preferred stock, in proportion to the capital invested, and the common stock to be divided equally ; the stock company to be named The Rike Dry Goods Company. It will illustrate Mr. Rike's keen business perception and at the same time show how he wished to give his young partners an advantage, to say that he figured the stock company business out in a few hours, he to have six per cent on his surplus capital, after which the profits were to be divided equally between the three. He said that if the business paid six per cent The Rike Dry Goods Company would be simply and only the D. L. Rike & Company, with another added name; but if it paid more than six per cent the common stock, which represented the energy of the 56 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY men and which was divided equally, would prove an incentive to the younger men of less capital and advantageous to the business. He lived long enough to see that it paid him to lose." In 1855 Mr. Rike was united in marriage to Miss Salome C. Kumler, the youngest daughter of Bishop Henry Kumler, Jr., and to them were born five children, two of who are still living. An intimate friend wrote: "The home life of this family was at once beautiful, affectionate, true and good. The two, with their dear children, journeyed together in the purest devotion and love, exhibiting to the world and the church a Christian household of the most intelligent, refined and exalted type. To Mr. Rike this home was the dearest spot on earth." Mr. and Mrs. Rike were always closely associated in their church work. In 1855 Mr. Rike was converted in a religious revival, at once joining the United Brethren church. On removing to Dayton he placed his membership in the First United Brethren church, in which he continued a leading spirit and in which he held nearly every office, including that of class leader, Sunday school superintendent, trustee and treasurer. On his death President L. Bookwalter, D. D., said of him: "Mr. Rike was not only faithful and true to his pastors and to his duties as a member of his home church, but he was faithful and true to everybody and to every relation. He was in advance of many Christian men in his conception of the relation of religion to life—to so-called secular life. He believed that with the true servant of God religion enters everywhere and enters to take the controlling place. With him business and religion went hand in hand, religion leading the way. Mr. Rike's love for business and his marked success in the commercial world are well known. But his love for Christ and his kingdom on earth and his eminent labors for the promotion of Christianity in the world are equally well known. Upon which did he bestow his chief affection? With Mr. Rike his church stood above his business. Notwithstanding his heavy business cares, he was always in attendance at all the services of his church. This was his rule, broken into only by sickness or other unavoidable cause." Mr. Rike not only took an active part in the work of the church in which he held membership but was deeply interested in all of the important activities. He was a trustee of the Otterbein University for sixteen years and of the Union Biblical Seminary for six years, and at the time of his demise was president of the boards of trustees of both institutions. In 1869 he was first elected a trustee of the publishing house, a position he held continuously until his death with the exception of one term of four years. For a time he was president of this board and a member of its executive committee. He was one of the three lay members of the church commission elected by the general conference of 1885, that had given it important responsibilities in connection with the revision and amendment of the constitution and confession of faith of the church. In all these relations his duties were performed with the same ability and conscientiousness that have so marked him throughout life. As previously indicated, Mr. Rike saw no division between religious and secular life. He felt it to be as much a part of his Christian duty to aid in every possible way in matters of citizenship as to attend the church services. As a DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 57 member of the Dayton city council, of the Board of Trade and an officer in important business he had an honorable and influential career. In all those relations his actions were characterized by the qualities of insight, discretion and integrity, so essential to absolute trustworthiness in places of financial trust and responsibility. His life demonstrated the great value of industry and perseverance in the achievement of success. For fifty years he was an industrious, persevering worker and his life was a busy one. His application and his concentration of thought and effort upon one branch of business was the secret of his remarkable career in different fields of activity and usefulness. With him, honor as a merchant had the same place as courage in a soldier or as the virtue of charity in the Christian character. In all things he was broad minded and progressive—a diligent student of books and men. He was in the closest sympathy with all advance movements in the church, in education, in practical philanthropy, in social justice, in political righteousness and with all world-wide efforts for the highest good of mankind. His face was ever set to the future and not to the past. He was a genuine Christian optimist. Mr. Rike was a liberal man and the institutions of the city depending upon personal contributions for their support knew his generosity. His local church was supported liberally and the general interests of the church were given to largely. Especially to education and to Otterbein University did he give large sums. He was a patron and for years a member of the board of trustees of Miami Valley Hospital. Unlike many men of limited education, Mr. Rike was always progressive. He ever was ready for new ideas and new methods in his business and always took the liberal and progressive side in questions affecting the church or the state. While he had but few advantages as to education, he was an inveterate reader of the newspaper. He read it all and with a naturally good mind and quick perception and good memory, this newspaper reading gave him a liberal education. He was well informed on all vital questions of the day. There is another phase in the life record of Mr. Rike, upon which his family and relatives love to dwell. He was that kind of a child lover that made him of one and the same age with the younger members of his family circle and he was, therefore, the most welcome addition to any family party. He took part in all the games with the zest of those a third of his age, even playing charades and dancing in a Virginia reel. He liked a good story and enjoyed a good joke. He had, too, an intense love of the country and when driving over the Miami valley, for which his affection was unbounded, he would continually call attention to a mass of clouds, to a freshly plowed field or to a symmetrical tree. The autumn foliage filled him with joy and only a few days prior to his death he spoke enthusiastically concerning the red maples and the beauty of the entire countryside. Death came to Mr. Rike on the 23d of October, 1895, when he had reached the age of seventy-one years. The dry-goods houses of the city honored him by closing their places of business at the hour of the funeral and the services of the church were attended by one hundred or more of the employes of the Rike Dry Goods Company, the directors and officers of the Merchants National Bank and the officers and employes of the United Brethren Publishing House. Interment took place on the family lot in Woodland cemetery. In a review of his 58 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY record one cannot but be impressed with the fact that with all the intensity and direction of effort of the prosperous man, With all the manifold interests which went to make up his life, the most strong and potent force in his entire career was his Christian faith and the religious principles which guided his actions, making him a man among men, notable in his adherence to the right and the truth as he saw and understood them. FREDERICK H. RIKE. Prominent among the far-sighted, energetic business men of Dayton is Frederick H. Rike, now the president of the Rike-Kumler Company, in which connection he is active in the control of one of the most important mercantile enterprises in the city. He is also identified with various other financial and business interests and is regarded as a substantial and valued factor in the business circles of Dayton. In this city he was born October 20, 1867, a son of D. L. Rike, long one of the leading and honored residents of Dayton, where he passed away October 23, 1895. Frederick H. Rike spent his youthful days in his parents' home and supplemented his public-school course by study in the private school conducted by Professor G. C. Deaver. Later he went to Westerville, Ohio, where he entered Otterbein College, being graduated therefrom with the Bachelor of Arts degree in the class of 1888. His collegiate course completed, he returned to Dayton and further qualified for the onerous and responsible duties of a business career by a course in the Miami Commercial College, from which he was graduated in 1889. He made his initial step in the business world by entering the mercantile house of D. L. Rike & Company, his father being the senior partner. He started as an employe, but closely applied himself to the mastery of the business and his constantly expanding powers and capabilities led to his selection as a member of the board of directors when the business was incorporated as the Rike Dry Goods Company. Under that name the enterprise was conducted until February, 1908, when the business was reorganized as the Rike-Kumler Company, of which Frederick H. Rike is the president. This company owns and controls one of the important mercantile interests of the city, with a trade commensurate with the progressive business policy and liberal methods for which the house is noted. Extending his efforts into other lines, Mr. Rike is now well known as a director of the Dayton Savings & Trust Company and of the Equitable Building & Loan Association. His opinions in regard to commercial and financial interests are regarded as sound and trustworthy for he has ever manifested keen insight in discriminating between the essential and the non-essential. In November, 1899, Mr. Rike was married, in Chicago, to Miss Ethel Kuhns Long and they have a daughter and son, Virginia L. and David L. They are prominent socially in the city and enjoy the warm friendship and high regard of many of Dayton's best people. In his political views Mr. Rike is an earnest republican and at no time is he unmindful of his duties and obligations of citizenship, being interested in DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 59 all those measures and movements which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. The cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion and he is now president of the board of trustees of Otterbein College. He belongs to the First United Brethren church and his social nature finds expression in his membership in the Dayton Country Club, the Dayton City Club and the Buz Fuz Club. Such, in brief, is the history of one of the best known citizens of Dayton—a man of keen discernment and sound judgment whose executive ability and excellent management have brought to the concern with which he is connected a large degree of success. Moreover, he displays in the conduct of his business interests those traits of character which ever command regard and confidence, and he belongs to that class of representative American citizens who promote the general prosperity in advancing individual interests. ALFRED A. THOMAS. Alfred A. Thomas, a well known member of the bar of Dayton, was born in Hamilton, Ohio, in 1845. He is a son of Rev. Dr. Thomas E. Thomas, who was born in England in 1812: graduated at Miami University in 1834 ; removed to Dayton in 1858 ; and who died when professor in Lane Seminary in 1875. Dr. Thomas was a useful and revered pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Dayton and brought about and completed its fine, stone church edifice, at the corner of Second and Ludlow streets. Alfred A. Thomas passed through the Dayton district and high schools ; attended Miami University two years ; and was graduated at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, in 1867. He then taught two years in the Central high school here, studied law with Judge J. A. Jordan, and was admitted to the Dayton bar in 1869. During the next twenty years, he practiced his profession in this city, was two terms a member of the board of education ; three times elected city solicitor, which position he is said to have filled "with distinction ;" was for ten years active in politics as a member of the local and state democratic committees ; was one of the owners who installed the district telegraph, and the telephone service in this city ; was president of the southern Ohio Coal & Iron Company, which was the main reliance of John H. and Frank J. Patterson in their large coal mining enterprises ; and was general solicitor of the Toledo, Delphos & Burlington Railroad Company, now in large part The Toledo, St. Louis & Western. Under Mr. Thomas' legal direction the railroad right of way was procured from Dayton to Lebanon, Ohio, from Wellston to Ironton, Ohio, and from central Indiana through Illinois to East St. Louis, which in some cases involved condemnation by legal proceedings of twenty miles of right of way. In connection with Colonel D. B. Corwin, Mr. Thomas organized the Fifth Street Railroad Company and built its lines, also including the National Avenue to the Soldiers Home, and the electric railroad thereon, which was the first electric railroad built and operated in Dayton. Mr. Thomas was president of the Fifth Street Railroad Company for eight years and until his removal to Chi- 60 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY cago in 1887. He was active and influential also in bringing about its advantageous consolidation with the Third Street Railroad Company into the present City Railway Company. At Chicago, for ten years, Alfred A. Thomas was general solicitor and legal counsel for The Bell Telephone interests of that city ; and as an avocation devoted sometime and money to developing and operating a large farm in Brown county, Minnesota, and rental residence property on the Chicago north shore, all of which he still owns. In 1898, Mr. Thomas returned to Dayton and became general counsel and secretary of the National Cash Register Company. During the next seven years he was active in the management of its legal affairs and organizations, both in this country and in Europe. Resigning his connection with this corporation in 1906, he has since been a member of the law firm of Thomas & Bronson. In 1880, at Kenosha, Wisconsin, Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Jennie L. Head. Their children are : Thomas H., who was graduated at Harvard and then a tutor there ; Miss Gertrude ; and Felix, who is a senior at Cornell. WILLIAM JUDKINS CONKLIN, A. M., M. D. Dr. William Judkins Conklin was born in Sidney, Ohio, December I, 1844. His literary education was acquired in the public schools of his native town and in the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1866. In 1861 he began the study of medicine under his father, Dr. H. S. Conklin, a prominent physician of the Miami valley and president of the Ohio State Medical Society, and received his degree of M. D. from the Ohio Medical College in 1868. In the spring of 1869 he was appointed assistant physician to the Dayton Hospital for the Insane, which position he resigned in December, 1871, to engage in general practice with Dr. J. C. Reeve, Sr., which partnership was continued for four years. Subsequently he was appointed by Governor R. B. Hayes a member of the board of trustees of the above institution and served for two years. He was secretary of the Ohio State Medical Society in 1872 and 1873 and its president in 1890 and 1891. From 1875 to 1876 he was a member of the faculty of Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, first as professor of physiology and afterward as professor of diseases of children. He has been prominent in local medical affairs and has been identified with the medical staffs of St. Elizabeth and Miami Valley Hospitals since their organization. He served several years as a member of the Dayton school board and for the past twenty-five years has been active in the managment of the public library and museum, of which he has long been president. He is a director in various local organizations, among which may be mentioned the Merchants National Bank. Dr. Conklin has been a frequent contributor to both medical and literary journals. Perhaps the most important medical contributions were the articles in Wood's Hand Book of the Medical Sciences and Kelly's Encyclopedia Medical Biography. DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 63 in 1875 Dr. Conklin married Miss Catherine Bechel, a daughter of Daniel Bechel, of Dayton, and has two children. The son, Dr. Daniel Bechel Conklin, is associated with him in the practice of medicine, and the daughter is married to Edward T. Weakley, of Dayton, Ohio. JOHN MARION EBERT. Prominently known in connection with the system of education in Ohio, Professor John Marion Ebert is now principal of the Newcom school of Dayton, having occupied that position since 1902. From the age of twenty years he has been continuously connected with educational interests, accepting his first principalship in 1885 while since 1889 he has been a factor in the intellectual progress of Dayton. A native of the neighboring state of Indiana, he was born in Kosciusko county, March 12, 1852, and is remotely of German ancestry, although the family has been represented in America through several generations. His parents, Charles and Christina (Houser) Ebert, were both natives of Ohio and, following their marriage, removed to Indiana, where Charles Ebert took up the occupation of farming. He was yet but a young man, however, when he passed away in Kosciusko county. His widow then returned to her people in Ohio, with whom she lived until her death at the age of fifty-nine years. There were four children in the family, namely : Mary N., now the widow of Daniel F. Miller and a resident of Gratis, Preble county, Ohio ; Elizabeth, who is the widow of John Etter and also lives in Gratis ; Thomas William, of Garrett, Indiana, who is now employed by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company ; and John M. The last named acquired his early education in the schools of Montgomery county, Ohio, whither he had been taken when a mere child. He displayed especial aptitude in his studies and closely applied himself to the mastery of the lessons assigned him so that at the age of about twenty-one years he qualified for teaching and entered upon the work of the profession. For a few years thereafter he taught at intervals and used the remainder of the time in promoting his own education. He has, in fact, remained a student throughout his entire life, interested in all things pertaining to intellectual progress while his reading and investigation are continually broadening his knowledge and promoting his effryciency as a factor in the world's work. About 1885 he became principal of the graded schools in Farmersville, Ohio, where his service was most acceptable as is indicated by the fact that he was retained in the position for four years. He then removed to Dayton and for two years taught a school near the city limits. In September, 1894, he was elected principal of the Nineteenth district, a newly organized school whose efficiency and usefulness were greatly promoted through the practical efforts and untiring zeal of Professor Ebert. His excellent work in that connection lead to his transferal to the Newcom school at Brown and Hess streets, of which he has been the principal since 1902. That his work is thoroughly commendable and satisfactory is indicated by his long connection with the educational interests of this city. He is enthusiastic and zealous on behalf of his work and inspires the teachers and pupils under him 64 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY with much of his own interest. He is continually seeking out new plans to broaden the scope and heighten the effectiveness of his work which he performs with a sense of conscientious obligation, knowing that it consists not alone in imparting knowledge but in molding character and in forming habits which will have a life-lasting influence. On the 16th of September, 1881, Professor Ebert was married in Farmersville, Ohio, to Miss Ella N. Riegel, a native of Montgomery county and a daughter of Franklin J. and Catherine Riegel, the former a retired farmer now residing with his wife in Farmersville. The children of Professor and Mrs. Ebert are: Owen Leroy, who was married in Dayton to Miss May Cavender ; Robert Laird, at home ; and Wendell Burdette, who was born in 1897. Professor Ebert is a member of Miamisburg Lodge, No. 44, K. P. and Fraternal Lodge, No. 510, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the chairs. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Fourth Reformed church of Dayton. His political views are in accord with the principles of the democratic party and while he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking he has yet been called by his fellow townsmen to fill some local offryces. He served for one term as mayor of Farmersville but resigned on his appointment as principal of the schools of that city. In August, 1892, he received a probate court appointment as a member of the county board of examiners of teachers of Montgomery county, serving for three years and acting as president of the board for one-half of that time. In November, 1908, he was elected to the office of county clerk of Montgomery county and is, therefore, the incumbent in that position at the present time. No one doubts the high character of his citizenship or his allegiance to the public welfare and in the performance of his duties he is proving that the faith of his fellow citizens was well grounded. WARREN McNELLY. Warren McNelly is a member of the firm of McNelly Brothers, proprietors of a general mercantile store in Brookville. He is one of the native sons of Montgomery county, his birth having occurred in Madison township in 1856. His parents were Daniel H. and Catherine McNelly, the former a farmer by occupation. Reared under the parental roof Warren McNelly, while spending his boyhood days pursued his education in the public schools and afterward attended the Euphemia Normal School. He turned his attention to the occupation to which he had been reared, thinking to make it his life work and bought eighty acres in Clay township, where he lived for seven years. On the expiration of that period he came to Brookville and joined his brother Calvin in purchasing a general mercantile store of H. F. Albert, of which they have been proprietors since 1891, conducting the enterprise with creditable success for eighteen years. They have a large double store and occupy two floors, carrying an extensive stock of goods. The business was reorganized and incorporated under the name of the McNelly Brother Mercantile Company in 1907, with Warren McNelly as president ; Calvin McNelly as vice president ; and J. P. Sey- DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 65 bold as secretary and treasurer. In addition to his mercantile interests Warren McNelly is well known in financial circles as one of the directors of the Citizens Banking Company. In community affairs Mr. McNelly is actively interested and his cooperation can he counted upon to support and further many measures for the general good. He has been treasurer of the township for four years or for two terms, also filled the office of city councilman for two terms and at one time was a member of the school board. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in the United Brethren church of which he has been a trustee for about ten years, for in various departments of church activity he is interested. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias and the principles and rules which govern his conduct and shape his action are such as commend one to the regard of all in every land arid clime. Mr. McNelly was married in 1882 to Miss Sarah Cloppert, of Brookville, a daughter of David Cloppert, a farmer by occupation. They now have two children : Mary Alice, the wife of Andrew A. Maysillis, superintendent of the Clay and Miami township schools ; and Reatha May, a student. Mr. McNelly is a representative of old Ohio families. His grandfather first came to this state from Pennsylvania and his father was born in Montgomery county and resided here until his death, which occurred when he was sixty-three years of age. The mother's people were also among the first settlers of the county and the family of Mrs. Warren McNelly arrived in Ohio at an early period in the development of this state. The name of McNelly has long been a synonym for business enterprise, for commercial integrity and for public-spirited citizenship. and the record of our subject is in entire harmony with that of his ancestry. He is now classed with the leading citizens of Brookville and his activity is a factor in its commercial advancement. FRANK EVERETT CAYLOR. Frank Everett Caylor, who is successfully identified with educational interests as principal of the schools at Liberty, was born on the 13th of December, 1887. His parents, Jacob Hamilton and Ella (Roher) Caylor, who were married December 30, 1886, now reside on a farm in Jefferson township which is the property of the paternal grandparents, Uriah and Sarah (Harter) Caylor. The maternal grandparents of our subject are David and Harriet (Runchie) Roller, also residents of Jefferson township. Their daughter Ella was born on the 5th of November, 1866, and by her marriage to Jacob H. Caylor has become the mother of two children: Frank Everett, of this review ; and Olive May, whose birth occurred October 30, 1893. Frank Everett Caylor was graduated from the common schools in the year 1902 and subsequently entered the Jefferson township high school, completing the course at that institution in the spring of 1906. He then took up the work of teaching and has proven a successful educator, being now principal of the schools at Liberty. He has always continued to reside with his parents on the 66 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY home farm on section 13, Jefferson township, and for the past several years has been engaged in the tobacco business in association with his father. It is his intention to put aside his educational labors in the near future and devote his entire time and energies to the tobacco business and, being a young man of excellent executive ability, sound judgment and keen discrimination, his many friends predict for him a prosperous career. Though still young in years, he has already gained for himself an enviable reputation as a man of enterprise and progressive spirit and is widely recognized as a worthy representative of one of the old and well known families of Montgomery county. CHARLES RETTICH. The tobacco trade is largely represented in Germantown where are seen in active operation all the modern methods of caring for, handling, and manufacturing tobacco. This is an important source of the city's financial progress and with the trade Charles Rettich is closely associated as a dealer in leaf tobacco. He is well known in this section of Montgomery county, where he has always lived, his birth having occurred January 4, 1874, on his father's farm on the Butler street road in German township, about two miles southeast of Germantown. He is a son of Anthony and Louisa (Lonakcreek) Rettich. As the name indicates, the family is of German origin. The paternal grandfather in his latter years was a retired farmer and,, coming to Ameria, made his home for a time in Germantown, but eventually returned to his native country. Later, however, he again crossed the Atlantic to the United States and spent his last days in German township. His son, Anthony Rettich, was educated in Germany and, attracted by the opportunities of the new world, made the voyage across the briny deep. He came direct to Germantown where he went to work at farm labor. He later purchased land and established what has since been known as the Rettich homestead. Charles Rettich, reared under the parental roof, early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His education was acquired in the Swartzel school and during the periods of vacation he worked on a farm. On the old homestead general agriculture was carried on, yet much of the land was devoted to the cultivation of tobacco, and with the plant Charles Rettich thus became familiar at an early day, his knowledge thereof enabling him to judge accurately of the value of the product brought to him for purchase. In the fall of 1903 he took up his abode in Germantown and established his present business which he has since successfully conducted. He now handles and controls a large trade and his extensive sales bring him a most satisfactory annual income. He may justly be called a self-made man for he had no assistance at the outset of his career but through his own efforts has worked his way steadily upward and has gained an excellent start in the world. On the 26th of August, 1903, Mr. Rettich was united in marriage to Miss Della Lantis, a daughter of C. W. and Susan (Kline) Lantis, who were prominent farming people of German township. Mr. and Mrs. Rettich are widely DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 67 and favorably known in Germantown and this part of the county where their circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances. He is the only man belonging to five lodges in German township, being identified with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen, and the Junior Order of American Mechanics, all of Germantown. He likewise belongs to the Lutheran church and his life conforms to its teachings, while the sterling principles which have guided him have made him both a successful merchant and an honored resident of his community. WILLIAM A. REITER. The enterprising city of Miamisburg claims William A. Reiter as one of its most valuable representatives. He is now mayor of the city and his administration as its chief executive is characterized by the embodiment of high ideals and practical reforms. One of the city's native sons, he was born January 6, 1860, his parents being the Rev. Dr. Isaac H. and Margaret J. (Heilman) Reiter, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather of our subject was William Reiter, who removed from the Keystone state to Ohio at a very early day and settled in Wayne county, casting in his lot with the pioneer residents of that district. He engaged in farming near Wooster for a long period and died when well advanced in years. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Reiter, has also passed away. They reared a large family of fourteen children, including Rev. Dr. Isaac H. Reiter. The maternal grandfather was Philip Heilman, a native of Pennsylvania, who, on his removal to Ohio, settled in Seneca county, near Tiffryn, where he engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He died there at the venerable age of ninety-two years, while his wife, Mrs. Catharine Heilman, was also about ninety-two years of age at the time of their demise. Their family numbered five children, including Margaret J., who became the wife of Dr. Reiter. The father was for many years a minister in the Reformed church, giving the best efforts of his life to the promotion of the cause of Christianity and for the adoption of the principles of the church by his fellowmen. He was the stated clerk of the Ohio synod and of the general synod of the General Reformed church in the United States, and he counted no personal sacrifice or effort on his part too great if it would advance the work in which his interests were centered. In 1854 he removed to Miamisburg, where he made his home throughout his remaining days, passing away in 1895, when more than seventy-six years of age. His wife survived him for about eleven years and died in January, 1906, at the age of seventy-six years. Unto Dr. Reiter and his wife were born three children, Eudora C., William A. and Miriam B., all residents of Miamisburg. William A. Reiter has always made his home in the city which is yet his place of residence. The public and high schools afforded him his educational privileges up to the time when he entered Heidelburg University at Tiffin, Ohio, being graduated from that institution with the class of 1880. With broad literary learning to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of 68 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY professional knowledge, he took up the study of law in the office and under the direction of Captain Adam Clay, in the office where he still practices. After thorough preliminary reading he was admitted to the bar in 1882 and has since been an active representative of the profession in Miamisburg. His knowledge of legal principles is comprehensive and exact and he, is seldom if ever at fault in his' application. He is careful, systematic and thorough in the preparation of his cases and his viewpoint or his citation of any legal principle is seldom questioned seriously. Aside from his work before the bar he is known as a stockholder in the First National Bank of Miamisburg. In all matters relative to the general welfare Mr. Reiter takes an active, deep and helpful interest. He was a member of the school board for one term and his father was president of the board for twenty-four consecutive years. In politics he is an earnest democrat and served for four years in the Ohio legislature as representative from Montgomery county, taking his seat among Ohio lawmakers in the session of 1890. He gave careful consideration to each question which came up for settlement and left the impress of his individuality upon constructive and restrictive legislation. Neither fear nor favor has ever been able to swerve him from a course which he believed to be right, his loyalty to his honest convictions being one of the salient features of his character. In 1888 he was elected mayor of Miamisburg but resigned to take his place in the legislature. After the expiration of his legislative term he was again elected mayor in 1905 and once more in 1907, so that he still fills the position. He belongs to Minerva Lodge, No. 98, F. & A. M. ; Trinity Chapter, No. 94, R. A. M. ; Reese Council, R. & S. M., of Dayton ; and Reed Commandery, K. T. at Dayton. He has also attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and has been accorded high honors in Masonry, having been grand high priest of the grand chapter of the state of Ohio. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge. He stands today as a splendid representative of the lawyer, whose profession is but one phase of existence and does not exclude his active participation in and support of other vital interests which go to make up human existence. WILLIAM P. CALLAHAN. William P. Callahan was born in County Armagh, Ireland, on the loth of February, 1833. He belonged to a family that, like many another that has come from across the water, sought the opportunities of the new world that advancement might be made in business lines and better advantages given to the members of the household. His parents were James and Jane Callahan, who in the year 1848 bade adieu to the Emerald isle and with their children sailed for the United States, settling at ,Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, where they resided for many years. William P. Callahan was a youth of fifteen at the time of emigration to the United States. He had previously acquired a common-school education in his native country and he further supplemented his knowledge by study in the schools of Shippensburg. He was still in his teens when he entered upon an DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 71 apprenticeship to the cabinetmaker's trade, in which he became a thorough and expert workman. The advantages of the west, which was entering upon a period of substantial yet rapid growth, attracted him to Ohio, and in 1853 he became a resident of Dayton, where he was destined to become a prominent figure in connection with the industrial and financial interests of the city. Naturally he sought employment along the line of his trade, securing a position in the furniture factory of M. Ohmer. He was thus a fellow workman with Dennis Dwyer, later Judge Dwyer, at a time when a dollar a day was the average wage paid cabinetmakers and the hours of labor were from sunrise to sunset. Some months later Mr. Callahan and Mr. Dwyer left Dayton for Iowa but returned to this city to he married and continue to reside here. Following his return Mr. Callahan learned the patternmaker's trade in the employ of the firm of Chapman & Edgar, and then accepted a position as foreman in the pattern shop of Thompson, McGregor & Company in 1855. His ability, faithfulness and trustworthiness won him continued promotion and in 1857 he became a member of the firm, purchasing an interest of John Clary. Upon the death of Mr. Thompson in 1862 he purchased the interest of Mr. McGregor and became the sole proprietor of the business. From the time he assumed the management the enterprise rapidly developed under his careful guidance and keen discrimination. In 1876 he admitted Thomas De Arman to a partnership under the firm style of W. P. Callahan & Company and in 1885 they were joined by his son, William K. Callahan, although the firm title was not changed. The business was founded in 1841 on Shawnee street between Wayne and Wyandotte streets. It was established in a most humble way but its gradual expansion in time made it one of the most important enterprises in this city. In 1856 a removal was made to East Third street, where the company had one of the largest and most important manufacturing plants in Dayton or even in the state of Ohio. A man of resourceful ability, constantly watchful of opportunities, which he improved to their full extent, Mr. Callahan made continuous progress in the business world and his labors were all the greater by contributing to the general upbuilding of the city as well as to individual success. In 1865 he became one of five men to establish the Miami Valley Boiler & Sheet Iron Works under the firm name of McGregor, Callahan & Company. A few years later Mr. Callahan purchased the interest of Mr. McGregor but subsequently sold his own stock. In 1873 he joined W. P. Lewis in building what was known as the Lewis Paper Mill, on Monument avenue. This proved a success and in 1883 he became the owner of a controlling interest in the Ohio Paper Company at Miamisburg. This venture likewise proved profitable and thus the interests of Mr. Callahan were continuously broadening in their scope and extent. He became a stockholder and director in the Cooper Insurance Company on its organization and was elected to its presidency as the successor of Colonel B. E. Mead. His enterprise and business activity brought him into close relations with many important commercial, industrial and financial connections. He served as a director of the Dayton Gas Light & Coke Company for twenty years and for a similar period was connected with the leading institutions and insurance companies of Dayton, either as director, office-holder or stockholder. He withdrew from the director- 72 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY ate of the Dayton National Bank and became associated with the City National Bank and was elected to its presidency in 1894. From time to time he made extensive investments in real estate until his holdings were very large. Among his early purchases were that of the Main street business and office property between Second and Third streets. In 1890 he erected the Callahan Bank building which at present is one of the substantial structures of this city. In 1859 Mr. Callahan was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kiefer, a daughter of Philip Kiefer, one of the pioneer residents of Dayton. Their children are Susie, William, Charles and Lillie. One daughter, Cora, passed away in early womanhood. During the long years of his residence in Dayton Mr. Callahan remained as one of its representative, worthy and honored citizens. He won notable success in business yet larger fortunes were made, but the life history of no man indicates more clearly the value and power of close application, of concentration, of earnest and honorable purpose and of wise utilization of opportunity. A contemporary biographer has said: "The story of his success is short and simple. It contains no exciting chapters but in its completeness lies one of the valuable secrets of the prosperity which it records. He began with no capital except brains, energy, integrity and rugged health. He was truly a self-made man in the broadest sense of the term. When he came to Dayton he was only a young cabinetmaker with no money and few friends ; yet in that short time he built up one of the largest and most successful manufacturing businesses and contributed to the success of a dozen other prominent enterprises. He was a man of. broad and deep sympathies, and nowhere was this characteristic more exemplified than in his association with his employees. They have on every occasion, both during their association with him in the business and since his death, paid tribute to his many kindnesses. The fairness and kindness with which he carried out his Lusiness methods reacted in the best way for both employer and employes. His warm interest in the affairs of every one associated with him was the outpouring of a generous nature and his advice and assistance always went out to those in need. His ideas were strong, but with his heart close to the pulse of the people his hand was ever ready to help where the need was a worthy one." Mr. Callahan was always in close touch with the people of this city at large and there has been perhaps no resident of Dayton whose advice and counsel have been more frequently sought or freely given. He was deeply interested in the affairs of the bank of which he was president, and at the same time he regarded the demands of every individual depositor as something to which he should give his attention. His opinions were frequently sought by patrons of the bank and no matter how trifling were the questions presented to him, he was sincere in his interest and manifested that kindly good will and thoughtful consideration that would only be expected from more important business ventures. He .always demanded that uniform courtesy be extended to the patrons of the bank and that no difference should be made between the smallest and the largest depositor. Through his genuine thoughtfulness in these small affairs his bank was made a benefit to hundreds of the middle class who learned to know and love the man whom they recognized as their patron friend. He had accumulated his own wealth mainly in the consideration of small items and wise investment and thus DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 73 he had sympathy for others who were attempting the same thing. His business acumen was keen and his ambition was surpassed only by his great energy. Mr. Callahan was equally interested in affairs of general public moment and cooperated in every movement which he deemed essential or valuable to the welfare and progress of the city. He gave substantial, ready and generous support to all municipal movements which his judgment sanctioned. He was a prominent member of the Dayton Club and of other social organizations and he made the generous hospitality of his beautiful home on West First one of its most attractive features. His affection was sincere when once placed and an evidence of his loyalty to early associations was his generosity to the little Episcopal church in Ireland where in early life he was a choir boy. This church was never forgotten in his generous contributions to religious. work and during his last trip abroad he made a special journey to the church where his .boyish voice had been raised in the anthems and songs of praise and worship. His devotion to his home was one of his strongest characteristics, the interests of his family being at all times placed before aught else. He stood as a splendid type of the high-minded American gentlemen with whom contact meant expansion and elevation. His is a splendid example of the power and force of honorable manhood, of earnest effort and of high principle. HARRY HECK. Harry Heck, a gardener of Harrison township, and the manager of the two farms belonging to the Schantz estate, was born in Cincinnati street, Dayton, June 29, 1879, the son of Peter and Theresa (Buerschen) Heck. The father, who was the oldest son of Peter and Magdalena (Boden) Heck, has always lived in this county, to which the grandfather came when he left his native land of Germany. The latter became one of the largest gardeners in this section of the country and was widely and well known. A more extended account of him is given in the sketch of George Heck in another part of this volume. In the schools of this city and at St. Mary's Institute Harry Heck received his first educational training, but the necessity of making his own way in the world soon presented itself as more important than school work and he early entered the truck garden business. To this h.e has given his time and attention ever since, and he has attained a position of enviable success: If to any one aside from himself credit is due, it is to his cousin George Heck, for it was under his guidance that Harry Heck worked when he first made a choice of a vocation and from him he learned much of his skill. In 1904 Mr. Heck was married to Miss Lillian Glaser, the daughter of Matthias and Thekla (Snyder) Glaser. The young couple are now the proud parents of three children, two sons and a daughter, Matthias; Harry and Marcella. The family belong to the Catholic church and are in regular attendance at its services. They are also known to be identified with all its work and are prominent among the members of the congregation. 74 - DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY Mr. Heck has made his own way to the important position he occupies among the gardeners of this vicinity. Since he assumed the management of the two Schantz farms, a tract of thirty-eight acres of fine land, especially suited for truck gardening, on the Cincinnati pike one and a half miles from the Dayton, courthouse, he has by intelligent cultivation brought them up to a high grade of productiveness, until now they are among the best paying gardens in this part of the county. The industry which has been able to make these farms bear so richly is a characteristic that is ever associated with the mention of Harry Heck's name. Hard work he has never shirked, but his labor has been assisted to a vast extent by a skill and good judgment in the use of farming methods that are possible only to a man who brings his mind as well as the strength of his arm to bear upon the problems of gardening. Success and a fair name have come to Mr. Heck as the result of his labors, and they are well deserved and begrudged by no one. ISAAC KINSEY. Isaac Kinsey is general manager of the Kinsey Manufacturing Company of Dayton and his life record is another proof of the fact that unabating energy intelligently applied will lead to success for prosperity follows unfaltering effort well directed just as surely as the night the day. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1860, and there lived to the age of thirty-three years. His boyhood was passed in the usual manner of lads of the period, the public schools affording him his educational opportunities until he graduated from the high school. He has always been engaged in manufacturing lines. In 1894 he came to Dayton and entered business circles here in connection with the Dayton Manufacturing Company. Later he entered the employ of the Stoddard Manufacturing Company and in 1902 when the Kinsey Manufacturing Company was organized he became vice president, treasurer and general manager. This company was formed for the purpose of manufacturing stoves and still continues in that line to a limited extent but in more recent years the output of stoves has been curtailed and the energies of the house have been concentrated upon the manufacture of automobile parts, in which they have built up an extensive and gratifying trade. In 1885 in Kentucky Mr. Kinsey was married to Miss Katharine Menzies, a daughter of Judge John W. Menzies and they now have five children : Frances, Katharine, Eleanor, Lewis P. and Isaac. In Masonry Mr. Kinsey is well known, .having taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite, of the commandery and of the Mystic Shrine. He has also been nominated for thirty-third degree, an honor conferred only in recognition of the utmost fidelity to the principles of the order and of capable and effective labor in its behalf. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, to the Bicycle Club, the Criterion Club, Smisser's and Mystic Club and in these organizations is well known as a popular member and always welcome by reason of his unfailing courtesy and geniality. He attends the Presbyterian church and is interested in all that pertains to the ma-