USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of Dayton, Ohio. With portraits and biographical sketches of some of its pioneer and prominent citizens Vol. 2 > Part 33
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
-
662
HISTORY OF DAYTON.
is any criterion for judgment as to the best plans to be pursued in the conduet of a fire insurance business, then our present modes have not much bettered the class of companies, as Dayton has always enjoyed the utmost confidence of insurers in her companies. No scandal or failure ever attached to them, and they invariably made good their contracts, which is the sum, we take it, of successful fire insurance and the practical test of their value to the community.
The companies of those days were not strong in cash assets, but the notes which were held in nearly every case could have as readily been converted into cash as can securities of cash companies now, with as much safety to the insured, as in the present cash investments of loans and bank stocks.' Annual reports made to the State insurance department are too often the handiwork of skillful accountants, but the companies whose organizations we are about to describe reflected credit upon the city, did honor to the science of underwriting, and made money for their stock- holders.
The Central Insurance Company was organized in 1859 with a capital of $100,000, divided into cash $20,000, and the secured notes of stock- holders of 80,000. Its directors were Henry Herrman, Robert Cham- bers, Andrew Gump, George W. Shaw, Henry S. Fowler, Alfred Pruden, J. B. Olwin, D. W. Iddings, A. R. H. Falkerth. Henry Herrman was the president and D. W. Iddings, secretary. The company transacted business a few years, Anthony Stephens and James A. Marlay succeeding D. W. Iddings as secretary, and abandoned the business, leaving a record behind of just dealing, careful business, and contracts fulfilled.
In April, 1863, the Miami Valley Insurance Company was organized with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars and directory as follows: Jonathan Harshman, John K. MeIntire, Joseph R. Gebhart, David K. Boyer, D. C. Rench, W. R. S. Ayres, George Lehman, F. C. Trebein, and Jacob Bunstine. Its officers were Jonathan Harshman, president, and W. R. S. Ayres, secretary. Upon the passage of the law requiring the payment of stock notes, this company fully complied, and has continued in the business for twenty-six years with nearly the same management, except that in 1874 Alexander Gebhart became its president. Dividends have been regularly declared, the stock has been a source of profit to its stockholders, and the fullest confidence has been bestowed by the people. The company presents its card to-day to the public with a clean record of successful management, and a full title to the business it justly enjoys.
February 1, 1804, the Farmers and Merchants' Fire and Marine Insurance Company was organized with a capital of $100,000. The
663
INSURANCE.
directors were Alfred Pruden, Jacob B. Olwin, Emanuel Shultz, R. D. Harshman, J. HI. Winters, H. II. Weakley, Augustus Kuhns, N. B. Darst, and Ziba Crawford. Its president was R. D. Harshman, and its secretary, II. HI. Weakley. The success of this company was from the start assured, and for five years of its existence $10,000 per annum was paid to the stockholders in cash dividends. Its business was after a year or two largely confined to the safer class of risks. For eight years Mr. II. H. Weakley was its secretary, resigning his office in 1872. In all of Day- ton's insurance companies the management depends principally upon the secretary, and the success depends largely upon this officer. In 1873, the Farmers and Merchants' Company found itself without a secretary, and its directors reinsured its risks. No company during its history enjoyed a better reputation for good management than the Farmers and Mer- chants' Company.
The year 1865 brought with it to the list of fire insurance companies, four in number. The Union Insurance Company, with Youngs V. Wood as president and George M. Young, secretary, with a capital of $100,000, was at this time started and continued in business until 1870, when it was purchased and absorbed by the Dayton Insurance Company. The German Insurance Company was organized at about the same period, with Joli Bettolon, president, and William Gunekel, secretary, and in January, 1872, was reinsured by the Teutonia Insurance Company and ceased business. The Tentonia Insurance Company was organized in February, 1865, with a capital of $100,000, and commenced business in March following. The first officers were John Haniteh, president, and John Stoppleman, secretary, the latter being succeeded by Jacob Linxweiler, Jr., in 1867. Jacob Decker was elected president in 1875. This company complied with the insurance law of the State and paid its capital up in cash. At this writing the company occupies one of the finest offices in the city, and has the name and honor of being one of the most successful companies organized in Dayton. All are good, but it is no disparage- ment to say this one is the strongest in cash surplus assets. Its stock commands the highest premium among the investors and holders of insurance stocks.
March, 1865, the Ohio Insurance Company, of Dayton, commenced business with an authorized capital of $150,000, of which amount only $100,000 was permitted to be subscribed. Afterward, at the earnest solicitation of its friends, the amount of subscribed capital was increased to $107,500. The directory of this company in 1865 was William Diekey, G. A. Grove, P. T. Dickey, H. M. Turner, Joseph M. Turner, John Wiggim, Jonathan Kenney, Abraham Cahill, and C. L. Vallandigham.
664
HISTORY OF DAYTON.
William Dickey was its president, and William H. Gillespie, secretary. January, 1880, William Dickey resigned the office of president, and J. A. Walters became his successor, and W. HI. Gillespie was succeeded in 1884 by John N. Bell, its present secretary. May 3, 1880, its capital stock was increased to $200,000, and June 23, 1885, it was reduced to $150,000, its present capital. This company has taken high rank, and has assisted in giving Dayton its excellent insurance reputation.
February would seem to be the lucky month of the year for Dayton to organize and invest its capital in fire insurance. The Cooper Insurance Company was incorporated and commenced its business career, in Fcb- ruary, 1867. The first officers were Daniel E. Mead, president, and D. W. Iddings, secretary. Its capital has continued at one $100,000, and its success has been very remarkable. Mr. D. W. Iddings, long identified with the office of secretary of various insurance companies, abandoned the business with the "Cooper." Ile had been identified to a greater extent with the organization of insurance companies than any other gentleman who has been associated with them. He was the secretary of four different companies during his insurance career, two of which he organized. Mr. Iddings was succceded by Oliver I. Gunckel, who found the Cooper but little known, and left it, in 1882, with a record that none of our companies bas excelled. The Cooper Insurance Com- pany has ever enjoyed high aud meritorions standing, indeed no company stands higher.
Mr. O. I. Gunekel, after his resignation of the office of secretary of the Cooper Insurance Company, organized in January, 1882, the Colum- bia Insurance Company, with a cash capital of $150,000, and a cash surplus of $50,000, assuring to its stockholders a re-insurance fund and regular dividends. Mr. E. M. Thresher became its president and O. I. Gunckel secretary, with a directory consisting of E. M. Thresher, George W. Kneisley, James Linden, R. C. Schenck, Jr., Eugene J. Barney, Albert Thresher, Samuel W. Davies, D. L. Rike, and Charles F. Gunekel.
The encomiums that attach to the insurance companies of Dayton, justly earned from good management and the smoke, soot, and ashes to which so much of the earnings have in the by-gone years been reduced, belong to this company. Among the companies doing the business of fire insurance it is nowhere excelled from the time of the oldest, " Hand in Hand," of London, to the close and hotly contested days of the present.
The insurance companies of Dayton have reflected credit upon the financiers of the city, and, except Harford, Councetieut, no city of the United States has had more companies with unblemished, untarnished
665
INSURANCE.
records than Dayton. It was left to the Firemen's Insurance Company to erect for itself a monument to assist and decorate the city, and an investment that has enhanced as the years have passed. We refer to the handsome building erected by " The Firemen's" upon the corner of Main and Second streets, at a cost of abont eighty thousand dollars. The foundation was laid in 1880 and its occupancy was had in 1881, and it stands a monument of success, an object of pride in the city not excelled in the beauty of its modern architecture, and an example worthy of imitation by some of our other prosperous companies.
The insurance interests of Dayton are among its crowning efforts, and the investment of the capital has added much to the general credit and honor of the city. The earnings of its companies have maintained a large clerical force, have accumulated large sums of money, which have, in turn, been loaned to the business public, offering proper surety, thus ex- tending aid in building the other industries of the city. Litigation is com- paratively unknown, and for the amount assumed none offer greater safety to the assured, and to the stockholder ample and generous returns have been extended, by which the rich have enriched themselves. We venture the opinion that few branches of business can make a better showing. The combined capital of the joint stock fire insurance companies of the city, as given by the reports made to the insurance department of the State, January 1, 1889, was $950,000, and the surplus earnings since their organizations now in hand and invested with the capital was in excess, being $981,818, making the total cash assets of these institutions $1,931,818.
From the same reports appears the sum of $8,539,808 paid as pre- miums or consideration for the contracts made since the organization of those reporting, from which $3,447,138 was paid in losses and damage by fire, and the very handsome sum given the stockholders of $1,396,204. This amount has been added to the capital of the city by these faithful toilers against "the clements," making evident the fact that no mistake was made by carly investors in these securities. Indeed, the sum thus shown is far short of the real sum earned, for the companies have not all reported, and many had passed out of existence before such reports were required.
The city in these interests does not covet the title of being "the Hartford of the West," but aims higher, for no city excels, the amount of capital employed being considered, and none have had more organiza- tions of this kind, enjoying higher credit and confidence, and she stands to-day fairly, justly, and faithfully in the midst of all, "The Gem." 50
ยท
1
CHAPTER XXVII.
Public Institutions-St. Elizabeth Hospital-Dayton Asylum for the Insane-Widows' Homo -Childrens' Hon.c.
YT. ELIZABETH HOSPITAL was started in a small way, in 1878, by S two of the Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis. These Sisters were Emilie and Columba, who, on the 2d of July of that year, rented a small two-story brick building ou Franklin Street, near Ludlow Street, and there commenced to prepare for hospital work. The first patient was a man who had had his arm crushed in a railroad accident. Upon solicita- tion sufficient aid to furnish the house for the purpose to which it was to be devoted were soon forthcoming. A staff of physicians, who devoted their time and labor gratuitously to the work, was soon obtained. Ap- plieants for admission soon became guite numerous, and it was evident that St. Elizabeth Hospital had not been established any too soon. At once an additional two-story frame building was erected on the premises, and then there was accommodation for forty-one patients. Sister Emilie was the superintendent for about one and a half years. She was succeeded by Sister Columba, who remained in charge until 1886, when she was sue- ceeded by Sister Lamberte, the present superioress.
It was not long before more room was needed, and the sisters selected six acres of land in Browntown, and began the erection of a much larger building, the corner stone of which was laid September 17, 1881, by Rev. Father John F. Hahne. This building is constructed of brick, the main building being five stories high and 50x46 feet in size. There are wings on either side of the main building, each 40x35 feet in size. There are also two rear wings, each 25x26 feet. In the rear of the hospital is a building 43x45 feet in size, which is utilized for kitchen, laundry, and boiler-house purposes. Store rooms and other rooms are in the basement. This building cost sixty-five thousand dollars. The following-named phy- sicians have constituted the staff of the hospital since its establishment: President, J. C. Reeve, M. D .; consulting physicians and surgeons, John Davis, M. D., T. L. Neal. M. D., E. Pilate, M. D., from 1879 to 1883, when J. M. Weaver, M. D., took the place of John Davis. This class of physicians remained the same until 1886, when the number was in- creased to six, and has consisted since that time of J. C. Reeve, M. D., J. M. Weaver, M. D., E. Pilate, M. D., A, HI. Iddings, M. D., J. S. Beck,
666
667
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
M. D., and P. N. Adams, M. D. The visiting physicians and surgeons from the establishment of the hospital up to January 1, 1883, were as follows: Drs. II. S. Jewett, J. D. Daugherty, and W. J. Conklin. From that time to 1886 the visiting physicians were Drs. J. S. Beck, P. N. Adams, A. H. Iddings; for the next two years, Drs. C. H. Humphreys, Calvin Pollock, and G. B. Evans, and for 1888, Drs. G. C. Evans, J. C. Reeve, Jr., and D. C. Lichliter. From January 1, 1883, to 1888 the visiting surgeons were Drs. W. J. Conklin, J. D. Daugherty, and HI. S. Jewett; and for 1888 they were Drs. W. J. Conklin, HI. S. Jewett, and C. H. Humphreys. D. W. Greene, M. D., has been oculist at the hospital since 1885.
Previous to 1852 there was but one asylum for the insane in the State of Ohio. On the 30th of April, 1852, the legislature of the State passed an act entitled, "An act to provide for the erection of two additional lunatic asylums." The board under this act was composed of Professor II. A. Ackley, E. B. Fee, D. B. Woods, Charles Cist, and Edwin Smith. An appropriation of one hundred and forty thousand dollars was made for the building of the two asyhuns, and the board visited various eastern asyhuns for the purposes of familiarizing them- selves with asylum architecture, and of thus being better qualified to superintend the erection of the necessary buildings, whenever a selection of a location should be made. On the 7th of July the board met at Cincinnati, and on the Sth at Dayton, and resolved that a donation of fifty acres must be made before any place or city could be considered a candidate for the location of either of the two asylums. On the 10th of July, after several votes had been taken and other places defeated in their bids for the Southern Ohio Asylum, Dayton was selected as its site. The selection of the ground was made September following, the land selected being the northeast corner of Section 32, in Van Buren Town- ship. On the 6th of the month the county commissioners appropriated $590 toward paying for the land, the balance of the purchase money being donated by citizens.
The original contract for building the asylum at Dayton was let to Daniel Rielmond & Company, for $67,350.50. On June 22, 1854, Joseph Clements, M. D., was appointed by the board, superintendent of the asylum, and during the same year Dr. C. M. Godfrey, of Ottawa, was appointed a member of the board. During the first year the number of patients was fifty-nine, and the current expenses were $4,900.32. In April, 1856, the board was re-organized, and on the 23d of the month, Dr. J. J. Mellhenny was elected superintendent. The number of patients was 199, and the current expenses $13,233.11. In 1857, the number of
1
,
668
HISTORY OF DAYTON.
patients was 161, and the current expenses $28,781.65. For 1858, the number of patients was the same, and the expenses $26,300.70. In 1859, a workshop two stories high was erected and a lake made, 156 patients were received, and the current expenses of the institution were $25,180.13. The next year there were 157 patients, and the expenses were $28,142.75. In 1861, there were 159 patients, and the current expenses were $32,630.59. April 15, 1862, Dr. Richard Gundry was appointed superintendent, the number of patients for the year was 161, and the current expenses $24,- 043.13. In 1863, the number of patients was 163, and the current expenses $31,254.06. In 1864, the number of patients was 162, and the current expenses $41,584.98. In 1865, the number of patients was 171, and the current expenses $48,023.17. In 1866, the number of patients was 170, and the current expenses $46,362.55. In 1867, the number of patients was 172, and the current expenses $15,452.88. In 1868, the number of patients was 174, and the current expenses $46,130.25. In 1869, the two new wings to the building which had been authorized to be erected in 1866, and which up. to that time had cost $290,000, were occupied for the first time. The number of patients for this year was 255, and the current expenses $61,471.99. In 1870, the number of patients was 481, and the current expenses $99,285.73. In 1871, the number of patients was 531, and the current expenses $103,273.82. The number of patients in 1872 was 609, and the current expenses $98,310 58.
In this year Dr. Gundry was selected to complete the Athens Asy- lum, and was succeeded as superintendent at the Dayton Asylum by Dr. S. I. F. Miller. In 1873, the number of patients was 569, and the current expenses $87,000. Dr. Miller resigned as superintendent, and Dr. Rutter acted as superintendent until a successor was appointed. In 1874, the number of patients was 526, and the current expenses $90,367.36. Dr. Clark succeeded Dr. Rutter as superintendent, and served about two years, when he resigned, and was sucecoded by Dr. L. R. Landfear, who was appointed in 1875. This year the number of patients was 578, and the current expenses $86,213.29. In 1876, the number of patients was 596, and the current expenses $91,173 85. In 1877, the number of patients was 571, and the current expenses $88,000. In 1878, Dr. D. A. Morse was elected superintendent, the number of patients was 492, and the current expenses $87,255.01. In 1879, the number of patients was 578, and the current expenses $82,167.55. Dr. II. A. Tobey was elected. superintendent in May, 1880, the number of patients was 594, and the current expenses $101,035.33. During 1881, telephones were put in the building, new gas works built, and an adequate water system completed, at a cost of somewhat over $15,000.
669
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
In 1883, the trustees of the asylum were: S. A. Baxter, M. D., president; C. M. Godfrey, M. D., J. M. Milliken, and J. D. Kemp, M. D. II. A. Tobey, M. D., was the physician, and Mrs. H. A. Tobey, matron. For 1884 the trustees were: John D. Kemp, M. D., president; C. M. Godfrey, M. D., J. M. Milliken; II. A. Tobey, M. D., physician, and Mrs. Il. A. Tobey, matron. For 1885 the trustees were: Joseph Clegg, presi- dent; C. M. Godfrey, M. D., S. A. Baxter, M. D., Hon. Peter Murphy, Jacob Linxweiler, Jr .; C. W. King, M. D., physician, and Mrs. II. A. Tobey, matron. For 1886 the trustees were: C. M. Godfrey, M. D., president; S. A. Baxter, M. D., Hon. Peter Murphy, Joseph Clegg, Jacob Linxweiler, Jr .; C. W. King, M. D., physician, and Ruth A. Bacon, matron. For 1887 the trustees were: Hon. Peter Murphy, president; S. A. Baxter, M. D., C. M. Godfrey, M. D., Joseph Clegg, Jacob Linx- weiler, Jr .; C. W. King, M. D., physician, and Mrs. C. W. King, matron. For 1888 the trustees were: S. A. Baxter, M. D., president; C. M. God- frey, M. D., Joseph Clegg, Jacob Linxweiler, Jr .; C. W. King, M. D., physician, and Mrs. C. W. King, matron. For 1889 the trustees were: Jacob Linxweiler, Jr., president; C. M. Godfrey, M. D., Joseph Clegg, IIon. H. L. Morey, Calvin D. Wright; Calvin Pollock, M. D .. physician, and Mrs. Laura J. Pollock, matron.
In 1881, the average number in the asylum was 591; for 1882, 582; for 1883, 591; for 1884, 589; for 1885, 608; for 1886, 607; for 1887, 600; and for 1888, 559.
According to the report of the superintendent of the asylum, made November 15, 1888, there had been received since the opening of the institution, September 1, 1855, 3,307 male patients and 3,156 female patients, a total of 6,463. There had been discharged as recovered, 1,483 males and 1,302 females, a total of 2,785. There had been discharged as improved, 330 males and 373 females, a total of 703. There had been discharged as unimproved, 399 males and 397 females, a total of 796, and as not insane, 2 males and 1 female, a total of 3. Adding to these, the transfers to other asylums and the deaths, there had been discharged from the asylum 3,041 males and 2,869 females, a total of 5,910, leaving in the asylum on November 15, 1888, 266 males and 287 females, a total of 553.
The Women's Christian Association for the Support of Widows and Destitute Women was organized November 26, 1870. The following were the first officers of the association: Mrs. J. II. Winters, president; Mes- dames J. B. King, W. Herr, and H. N. Stephens, vice-presidents; Mrs. J. II. Thomas, corresponding secretary; Miss Maggie Cox, recording secretary; Mrs. II. D. Carnell, treasurer. The fiscal trustees of the association were John H. Winters, R. W. Steele, and C. H. Crawford.
670
HISTORY OF DAYTON.
-
The association became an incorporate body under the name of the "Women's Christian Association of Dayton, Ohio, for the Support of Widows and Destitute Women." They were thus enabled to receive the property of the old Dayton Female Orphan Asylum, which they did in 1872. The home, after being put in complete repair, was opened for the reception of inmates February 8, 1875. Mrs. A. L. Connelly was the first matron. She was succeeded, in September, 1875, by Mrs. Addie Broadrup. Any widow of good moral character over sixty years of age, belonging to Dayton, may be admitted to this home upon the payment of one hundred dollars to the endowment fund, and furnishing her own room and clothing, and paying funeral expenses; but women destitute of home, friends, or funds are admitted temporarily. Every inmate is required to pay for her board, either in money or work, and those who have employment outside of the home may enjoy its benefits by paying two dollars per week.
The association has a committee which regularly visits the county jail, infirmary, workhouse, and city prison; an employment committee, which finds work for those willing to perform it; a band of women to look after fallen and tempted women; a visiting committee of volunteers in every ward, to answer calls of distress; and a committee which holds regular services in the wards of the hospital at the Soldiers' Home. The entire work of the association is voluntary, and the institution is sup- ported by private donations. In 1881, $10,733 was raised by subscription for the erection of a new and larger Widow's Home, and W. P. Huffman gave two acres of ground for a site. The work of construction was immediately begun, and the new home was ready for occupancy very soon thereafter. The committee having the home in charge in 1883 was as follows: Mesdames John II. Winters, James R. Young, C. E. Corp, Abia Zeller, and D. E. MeSherry. In 1884, the committee was the same, except that Mrs. W. D. Bickham took the place of Mrs. C. E. Corp. In 1885, the committee was enlarged by the addition of Mesdames II. Wyatt and C. E. Corp. In 1886 and 1887, the committee remained the same, as likewise in 1888. The committee for 1889 was as follows: Mesdames John HI. Winters, J. R. Young, W. D. Bickham, Abia Zeller, J. M. Phelps, II. Wyatt, and C. E. Corp. Miss Carrie Brown is treasurer, and Sallie E. Guion matron.
The Dayton Female Association, for the benefit of orphans, was incorporated in February, 1844. By the charter the association was empowered as a body corporate with perpetual succession, and to provide with all things necessary for the comfort, maintenance, and proper educa . tion of destitute orphans and other destitute children. The association
671
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
was authorized to purchase, receive, hold, and convey such personal and real estate and property as was necessary in carrying on the institution, to any amount not to exceed $20,000. The citizens of the county con- tributed means to buy the land and ercet a small brick building for an asylum, on Magnolia Street, in Dayton, which was used for an orphan's home until the erection of the new one across the Miami River.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.