USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 101
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Mr. Lightcap and his family are members of the Reformed church, of which he was a trustee for ten years. He is a democrat in politics, although he neither seeks nor desires public office, and was at one time affiliated with the Grand Army of the Republic, although he does not now hold membership in any lodge in Montgomery county. Starting out in business life on his own account when still a mere lad, without any favoring circumstances to aid him at the outset, he diligently worked his way upward, overcoming all obstacles and difficulties in his path, and as the result, he today occupies a place among the substantial and rep- resentative farmers of Montgomery county, earning and richly deserving the proud American title of a self-made man.
ELI WAYMIRE.
For a long period Eli Waymire has been well known in Dayton as a dealer in fruit trees and has established a reputation for reliability as well as for knowl- edge concerning the best grades of nursery stock and the fruits best adapted to soil and climatic conditions in different sections of the country. Montgomery county numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred on a farm in Butler township, August 13, 1842. His father, Henry Waymire, was born in Butler township, Montgomery county, Ohio, July 16, 1816, and died in the same room in which he was born, eighty years later, his death occurring August 18, 1896. He was a son of Daniel Waymire, one of the early settlers of Montgomery county and here amid the scenes of frontier life Henry Waymire was reared, sharing in all the hardships and trials incident to the development of homes on the western frontier. Having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Hannah C. Pearson, also a native of this county. The marriage was celebrated June 29, 1841, and has been blessed with two children, Eli and Oliver Pearson. The lat- ter married Nellie Payne, and died June 19, 1901, at the age of fifty-seven years and eleven days. The death of Mrs. Henry Waymire occurred April 25, 1889.
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Eli Waymire was reared on the home farm and remained there until he joined the army at the time of the Civil war. He first enlisted in the Ohio National Guard as a member of the Squirrel Hunters and thus served for about a month .. Later he joined the One Hundred and Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry for one hundred days and was under fire at Petersburg, Virginia, and partici- pated in other skirmishes. On returning from the army, he again located on a farm where he lived for two years and on the expiration of that period, he came to Dayton, where he soon afterward began dealing in fruit trees. He has since remained in this business and his long connection therewith is evidence of the success which he has achieved and of the reliability which has always character- ized his business dealings. He has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of a fellowman in any business transaction, depending for his success upon enterprise, probity, perseverance and energy.
On the Ist of February, 1866, in Vandalia, Montgomery county, Ohio, Mr. Waymire was married to Miss Jennie Weaver, a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Sandham) Weaver. She died June 2, 1908, at the age of sixty-one years. Mr. Waymire is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and Gem City Council, No. 3, of the United Commercial Travelers. He is the only charter member in good standing of Grace Lodge, No. 504, I. O. O. F., of Union, Ohio. He has always been loyal to the teachings of these fraternities concerning mutual help- fulness and brotherly kindness, and is therefore regarded as one of their exem- plary representatives. His political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party and in all matters of citizenship, he manifests a progressive spirit. His unfaltering labor and utilization of opportunities have constituted the' foundation on which he has builded his success in business, in which connection he has gained much more than a local reputation.
RALPH E. DEWEESE.
Ralph E. DeWeese, conducting an extensive and successful stock brokerage business and also well known in commercial circles of Dayton as the treasurer of the Lucas Pump Company, was born in this city in 1875. His youthful days were passed largely in the acquirement of an education in the public schools and in a private school conducted by Professor Deavers. Later he entered Yale, pur- suing a scientific course, and on leaving the university, he returned home in 1893 and joined his father, J. R. DeWeese, the senior partner of the firm of De- Weese & Bidleman, one of the best known and most extensive dry-goods firms of the city. For five years, he was associated with that enterprise, when he broad- ened the scope of his activities by entering the field of interurban railway construc- tion in connection with the late Dr. Joseph E. Lowes. He was so engaged for five years, or until 1904, when he established business as a stock and bond broker. Thoroughly conversant with the money market, he is well qualified to make judicious and profitable investments for himself and for his clients and is becom- ing a recognized factor in financial circles of the city. In 1907 he was elected
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treasurer of the Lucas Pump Company is now active in control of the moneyed interests of that firm.
In October, 1900, in Dayton, Mr. DeWeese was united in marriage to Miss Alberta E. Lowes, a daughter of the late Dr. Joseph E. Lowes, and they have two children, Lowes E. and James Robinson DeWeese. In his political views, Mr. DeWeese is a democrat, having supported the party since attaining his majority, but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. Nor does he belong to any secret order, but is a member of the Dayton City Club, the Dayton Country Club and the Bicycle Club-associations which indicate his appreciation for the social amenities of life. That his record has been at all times commendable, is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are numbered among those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time. He is popular in social circles and is rapidly attaining prominence along financial lines.
AENEAS C. ULLERY.
Aeneas C. Ullery, who follows both farming and carpentering in Madison township, is the owner of a valuable and well improved farm of sixty-five acres situated near the Stringtown and Air Hill pike, about four miles northwest of Trotwood. He was born April 18, 1858, on the old Ullery homestead about a mile east of Trotwood, his parents being Samuel and Elizabeth (Overholser) Ullery. The paternal grandparents were Samuel and Susan (Whitehead) Ullery and the grand father was the first representative of the name to come to this state, journeying from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to this county. He entered the tract of land that is now known as the old home farm, cleared and improved it and energetically carried on his agricultural interests until the time of his de- mise, his remains being interred in Fort Mckinley cemetery. Samuel Ullery, the father of our subject, was born on this farm and is still living thereon at the age of seventy-three years, though he has retired from the active work of the fields and the place is now being operated by a renter. He owns one hundred acres of as fine land as can be found in this section of the state and is widely recognized as one of the most substantial and respected citizens of his native county. Unto him and his wife were born two children, namely: A. C., of this review ; and Raymond, who is a resident of Dayton, Ohio.
In his youthful days, A. C. Ullery attended school in pursuit of an education that would equip him for the practical and responsible duties of later life and when not busy with his studies, he gave his father the benefit of his assistance in the cultivation of the home farm. About ten years ago, he purchased his present place of sixty-five acres, which is a part of the old Beachler farm, and in addition to general farming, he has also followed carpentering to some extent. meeting with well merited success in his undertakings. He has erected all of the buildings on the property, including an attractive and modern two-story frame residence.
On the 16th of October, 1880, Mr. Ullery was united in marriage to Miss Ella Landis, a daughter of John G. and Leah (Foreman) Landis, the father being
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an agriculturist by occupation. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ullery, have been born four sons, as follows: Willis E., who wedded Miss Anna Driver, by whom he has a son, Ralph; Albert, who married Miss Emma Fryman and has one child, Ray- mond : Clyde G., at home; and Russell E. Mr. Ullery belongs to the conserva- tive branch of the Dunkard church and throughout his entire life has been actuated by high principles and worthy motives. Movements and measures for the gen- eral good receive his endorsement and support and in the community where he has always lived, he has a circle of friends almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
WILLIAM MILLER.
William Miller, who is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned and well merited rest, but in former years was closely and successfully asso- ciated with commercial interests as a leaf-tobacco merchant of Dayton, was born in Emmettsburg, Maryland, in the year 1846. The first nine years of his life were there passed and in 1855, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, the family home being established in Fairfield. Later they went to Midway, Ohio, and in 1867, Mr. Miller came to Dayton, where for forty-two years he has now made his home. He had previously acquainted himself with cigarmaking and in this city began to work at his trade, which he followed in the employ of others for about five years. Throughout this period, however, he was stimulated by a hope and desire of one day engaging in business for himself and when his earnings and careful expenditure had brought him sufficient capital, he began dealing in leaf tobacco, remaining in active connection with the trade from 1872 until March, 1909. In the intervening thirty-seven years, he had built up an ex- tensive business and had derived therefrom a handsome competence which now enables him to live retired without recourse to labor.
Mr. Miller is a respected and exemplary member of the Odd Fellows society, belonging to Wayne Lodge of Dayton. In politics he is a democrat, but has never taken any active part in the work of the organization. Through many years his energies were concentrated upon his business affairs and his close ap- plication was one of the salient features of his success.
JOHN S. ANDERSON.
John S. Anderson is well known in the social circles of Dayton as well as a capitalist, and deserves more than passing notice in the history of this, his native city. He was born on East Monument street on the 6th of May, 1876. His grandfather was Richard Clough Anderson, who was born in Pennsylvania but, removing westward, was engaged in business in Cincinnati, Ohio, up to the time of his death. His wife was a sister of the late Nicholas Longworth, of Cincinnati, Ohio.
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Richard Clough Anderson, Jr., the father of our subject, was born in Cin- cinnati and came to Dayton in 1874, his death here occurring in 1877. He was a manufacturer, well known in business circles. He married Agnes Norval Thompson, of Louisville, Kentucky, who has also passed away. They were the parents of four children: Katharine Longworth, Sarah, Richard C., and John Stettinius.
John S. Anderson spent his youthful days in his parent's home in the usual manner of lads of the period whom necessity does not thrust into the business life at an early age. He had the advantage of instruction in the public schools and afterward spent two years as a student in St. Paul's school in Garden City, Long Island. He afterward returned to Dayton and pursued a special course in the Steele high school. Subsequently he went to the Cash Register Company with which he was connected for about two years and afterward became asso- ciated with the Stoddard Manufacturing Company, an implement house, which he represented on the road for five years. In 1904, he went to Idaho where he en- gaged in ranching for three years and in 1907 he returned to Dayton, but is not actively engaged in any business at the present time.
Mr. Anderson is well known socially and is a popular member of the Dayton City Club. He also belongs to Christ Episcopal church and he gives his political support at the polls to the republican party, but is not an office seeker, nor does he desire political preferment. However, his influence is ever given on the side of progress and improvement and in all things relative to Dayton and her welfare, he manifests a public spirit.
CLARK Y. SMITH.
Clark Y. Smith, successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits in Madison township, is the owner of the old Kerns farm, comprising sixty-five acres of rich and productive land and situated on the north side of the Jalopa road, about two and a half miles south of Trotwood. He was born in Miami county, Ohio, on the 14th of April, 1863, a son of Solomon and Emily (Yount) Smith. When a young man the father made his way from Pennsylvania to Miami county, Ohio, where he became a very prominent and prosperous agriculturist. Their family numbered twelve children.
During his school days. Clark Y. Smith assisted his father in the work of the fields, thus carly becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His early training and experience proved of value to him when he started out in business life on his own account and he has met with a well merited and highly gratifying measure of success in his farming operations, being now the owner of a fine tract of land of sixty-five acres in Madison town- ship. The fields annually yield golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them and he is widely recognized as a most enterprising and progressive citizen.
On the 19th of November, 1883, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Ella Etter, a daughter of George and Mary ( Hinebach) Etter. Her father, who
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was a native of Pennsylvania, became one of the pioneer settlers of Miami county, Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born nine children, namely: Emma, deceased ; Minnie, the wife of Ira Juster, by whom she has a son, Floyd ; Alma, who is the wife of Martin Burnside and has four children, Mary, Florence, Her- bert and Alberta: Earl; Inez; Charles; Nellie; Ola; and Carl. The different members of the family belong to the conservative branch of the Dunkard church and are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community in which they reside.
HENRY H. HILGEFORT.
Henry H. Hilgefort has lived retired from active business in Dayton, since May, 1903. He has long been associated with commercial interests, but at the age of seventy-five years he put aside further business cares. A native of Ger- many, he was born August 1, 1828, and after spending the first nineteen years of his life in the home of his Teutonic ancestry, he came to America in 1848 and made his way direct to Dayton, traveling by canal boat from Baltimore, Maryland. His first business venture here was in teaming between Harshmanville and Dayton,. hauling the grain to the distillery at the latter place. He drove a team for one year and afterwards remained with the distillery for another four years. He then established a "wet grocery" in Dayton, conducting the business from 1853 until 1856, when he turned his attention to the brewing business with August Becker and John Wagner, for a year and a half. He then began clerking in the wholesale grocery and liquor store of Fritch & Nipgen on Second street, where he remained until 1859, after which he spent one year in the employ of Theodore Bar- low. In 1860, he entered into a partnership with John Hanitchs on Main street in the wholesale grocery and liquor business, in which he continued until 1866, when his partner died and the business was discontinued. Mr. Hilgefort then turned his attention to the malting business, in which he continued for about two years, when he entered a distillery and grain house in Brookville, Montgomery county, where he spent a year and a half. In 1869, he bought a distillery in Carrollton and con- ducted it for a year, when the whiskey tax was raised and he sold out in 1870 to Freun. The following year he became actively connected with the Teutonia Fire Insurance Company, which he had assisted in organizing in 1863 or 1864, and of which he was the vice president. His duty was to appoint agents in Ohio and Indiana and he was thus busily employed until 1873, when he bought out a wholesale grocery and liquor store on Third street, conducting it until 1880. In this venture, he prospered, but in 1881, he sold out to William Sanders and went to Germany, spending three months in visiting his native land. On his return, he again engaged in the wholesale liquor business at 27 Main street, under his own name, so continuing until 1890, when his son-in-law, J. H. Baker, was ad- mitted to the firm and the business was incorporated as The Baker Company. Mr. Hilgefort remained in active connection therewith until May, 1903, when he retired.
Mr. Hilgefort was married in May, 1854, in Dayton, to Miss Mary E. Lem- mermuhle, and unto them were born six children, but the oldest daughter, now
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the widow of John H. Baker, is the only one now living. The wife and mother died in February, 1876, and in 1879, Mr. Hilgefort wedded Mary S. Lukaswitz, nee Gondert.
Mr. Hilgefort at one time filled the offices of supervisor and councilman from the eighth ward and since that time he has continuously refused to serve in public positions, although such have been offered him. He is connected with St. Joseph's Orphan Home and with the Pioneer Society, also with a number of Cath- olic societies. He has always been a democrat and he belongs to Holy Trinity Catholic church. In 1847 he became a member of the old volunteer fire de- partment, of Dayton, serving until paid men were installed. In Spite of his age being now over eighty-one years, his intellectual strength remains unimpaired, his mind being as keen and bright as a man yet in his prime. He has always been recognized as a man of forceful character and untiring energy. He is now living quietly in a modest home, his possessions being sufficient to supply him with many luxuries if he so desired.
ELLSWORTH KLEPINGER.
The Klepinger family is an old and prominent one in Ohio and its represen- tatives have constituted substantial and progressive citizens whose labors have been an important element in the work of public progress. To this family belongs Ellsworth Klepinger, who is now well known in the business circles of Dayton as a draftsman. He was the fourth in order of birth of nine children, whose parents were Henry and Elizabeth (Miller) Klepinger. Like many of the pio- neers of the state, the Klepingers came first from Pennsylvania, the grandfather, George Klepinger, removing from the east that he might enjoy the better busi- ness opportunities offered in this new and growing western country. He there- fore cast in his lot with the early settlers who were reclaiming this region for the purpose of civilization and, while he met with difficulties and hardships incident to pioneer life, he resolutely bore his part in the work of general improvement. Henry Klepinger, the father of our subject, was born in this county in 1832 and has long been numbered among the widely known and valued citizens of this part of the state. For many years, he successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits but is now living retired in the enjoyment of well earned rest, for his activity and careful management in former years brought to him a comfortable competence. He wedded Elizabeth Miller and they became the parents of nine children : David W .; George, deceased; Alfred L .; Ellsworth ; Charles; Mary, also deceased : Llewellyn G., practicing medicine ; Edwin ; and Howard.
The experiences of Ellsworth Klepinger in his youthful days were not un- like those of most farm boys of the period. He was reared upon the old home- stead and through the period of his youth not only mastered the lessons taught in the public schools of the neighborhood, but also learned in the school of experi- ence the best methods of tilling the soil, while nature also taught him many lessons that have been forces in his later success and he is now well known in Dayton as a draftsman.
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On the Ist of January, 1890, occurred the marriage of Ellsworth Klepinger and Miss Libby Denlinger, a daughter of Abraham and Sarah (Garber) Denlin- ger of Madison township. The young couple are well known in Dayton and enjoy the warm friendship of many with whom they have been brought in con- tact.
ELIAM E. BARNEY.
The name of Eliam E. Barney is one around which centers much of the history of Dayton, especially in the middle portion of the nineteenth century. He figured prominently in manufacturing, financial and educational circles and his ability and influence were most effective in promoting general progress along those lines. He came upon the scene of action in the opening years of a century which was marked by progress greater than shown in any other cycle of the world's history to that time. His natal day was October 14, 1807, and the place of his birth, Henderson, Jefferson county, New York. In both the paternal and maternal lines he represented old New England families, his parents being Benjamin and Nancy (Potter) Barney, the former a native of Guilford, Vermont, and the latter of Connecticut. The father became known as a prominent educator of his day and was one of the founders of the Union Academy at Belleville, New York, thus es- tablishing an institution which has been a forceful element in educational progress throughout the succeeding years. When he was twenty-one years of age he went to Henderson, Jefferson county, New York, where he secured a claim which he soon developed into a comfortable farm. Beside his diligence and prudence he was a man of great independence of character, preferring to form his own esti- mates of everything. By private study in his new home he made up some of the deficiencies of his early education and was much respected for his intelligence and enterprise. He was a captain of militia in the War of 1812 and served in the de- fense of Sackett's Harbor. His wife was a daughter of one of the soldiers of the Revolutionary war.
Eliam E. Barney, the eldest of their eleven children, spent his early youth in the little log cabin which his father first built at Henderson and "from his earliest youth" said his younger brother "he was remarkable for three things- industry, order and thoughtfulness." When he reached his fourteenth year a change took place in his thoughts and purposes that gave character to all his sub- sequent life. His parents were devout people and their teachings and that of the local ministry awakened him to a sense of his obligations toward the Creator and throughout his entire life he remained a consistent Christian man and a most loyal advocate of the Baptist church. He was about seventeen years of age when his father was forced to assume financial obligations owing to signing notes for an uncle of E. E. Barney, who soon afterward was drowned. To pay off these notes it seemed necessary to sell the farm at Henderson, which he had improved, and remove to the farm of the deceased uncle at Adams. Eliam E. Barney at this time became an active assistant of his father and worked so hard on the farm that his health became greatly impaired.
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In the acquirement of his education Eliam E. Barney first attended the com- mon schools and began to qualify for a collegiate course by reciting twice a week to a physician of the locality in which he lived. When the family removed nearer Belleville, New York, he became a pupil in an academy, now known as Union Academy, which his father was largely instrumental in establishing. One who knew him as a fellow student at that time said: "He was considered a leader in all good enterprises among the students and was distinguished for the strict pro- priety of his general deportment." He made such rapid advance that when eighteen years of age he was qualified to teach and took charge of a school, the funds thus gained enabling him further to pursue his studies until he was fitted to enter the sophomore class of Union College at Schenectady, New York. He remained always a stalwart champion of education and when he prospered in later years he remembered the old academy at Belleville as one of the subscribers to an endowment, making his subscription a memorial to his father and mother who had been so active in its first establishment. He was graduated from Union College in 1831. Before his graduation he spent a short time as a teacher in a boarding school at Sand Lake, New York, which was near enough to Schenectady to enable him to carry on the studies in the senior year in Union College and recite with his class at intervals. He delighted in study and formed habits of thoroughness in thought and of accuracy in its expression which were of great value to him in after years. He was called from the school at Sand Lake to become principal of the Lowville Academy, of which he had charge for two years.
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