USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 13
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In Dayton in 1875 Mr. Swadener was united in marriage to Miss Leila L. Deuel, a daughter of the late Stephen Deuel. Unto this marriage have been born a son and two daughters: Edward E., who is secretary of F. A. Hardy & Company, of Chicago, Illinois ; Leila E., wife of Russell L. Whitney, of San Francisco, California; and Julia L., who is a graduate of the Women's College at Baltimore, Maryland, where she won the degrees of Bachelor and Master of Arts.
In his political views Mr. Swadener is an earnest republican, well informed on the questions and issues of the day but without aspiration for office. He be- longs to the Episcopal church and is interested in all those movements which work for good citizenship and for individual progress. In his profession he is noted for his devotion to his clients' interests and this combined with his comprehensive knowledge of the law and correct application of its principles has carried him into important professional relations.
RUDOLPH PRETZINGER.
Rudolph Pretzinger, who was for many years one of the best known drug- gists of Dayton and a man whose business ability carried him into important commercial relations and brought to him substantial success, was born in Ger- many, February 1, 1847. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob J. Pretzinger, in whose family were five children. The parents remained residents of the father- land during the early youth of their son Rudolph and then came to the new world, crossing the Atlantic in 1854. The same year they arrived in Dayton and during the greater part of his life Rudolph Pretzinger continued to reside in this city.
At the age of sixteen years he was compelled to shoulder the burdens inci- dent to the support of a large family for his father died, leaving the widow and children with practically no financial resources. The following year Rudolph Pretzinger went to Indianapolis, where he took up the study of pharmacy, receiving his diploma in 1865. He then returned to Dayton and made his initial step in the business world as a clerk in the employ of J. W. Deitrich, who at that time conducted a pharmacy in the Philips House block. After acting as salesman for some time, during which period he carefully saved his earnings, he started a pharmacy at 412 Third street and after carrying on the business one year he admitted a brother as partner, the business then being carried on under the name of R. Pretzinger & Brother. The subject of this review remained as the senior partner of the firm until his death, which occurred on the 14th of February, 1909. As the years passed they built up an excellent trade,
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stocked their store with a large line of high grade drugs and by earnest effort to please their customers and by reliable business methods secured a patronage which was most gratifying. In 1896, after three years of experimenting, Mr. Pretzinger placed on the market his now celebrated catarrh balm, of which he was the originator. Besides gaining him much scientific recognition the in- come from his discovery enabled him to enjoy the pleasures of life in a manner which had hitherto been impossible. The drug found a ready sale on the market and his income was materially and substantially increased thereby.
On the 3Ist of January, 1889, Mr. Pretzinger was united in marriage to Miss Fannie B. Welty, a daughter of Francis Joseph and Anna (Spratt) Welty, of Dayton, both now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pretzinger was born one son, Walter. Mr. Pretzinger was never a member of fraternal or secret so- cieties, for while he realized and acknowledged the pleasures and benefits that might be derived from such organizations, he preferred to concentrate his en- ergies upon his business and family interests, devoting his leisure time to the enjoyment of social relations in his own home. In politics he was a republican and he served as a member of the board of education for some time and also as park commissioner. Mrs. Pretzinger still survives her busband and now makes her home at the corner of Main and Apple streets in Dayton. She has many friends here, the cordial hospitality of many of the leading homes of this city being freely accorded her. With the exception of the period spent in pursuing his pharmaceutical course, Mr. Pretzinger remained continuously a resident of Dayton from the time of his arrival in America, and the splendid record which he made as a business man, his high qualities of citizenship and his sterling traits of character as manifested in private life, gained him a firm hold upon the affectionate regard of his associates.
CHARLES H. KUMLER.
For more than twenty years Charles H. Kumler has been a conspicuous member of the Dayton bar. His ancestors belonged to that class of honest, sturdy and determined men who raised the little republic of Switzerland to its proud place among the nations of Europe. Their desire for even larger political and religious liberty brought Mr. Kumler's great-grandparents to this country in the middle of the eighteenth century, and they settled in what is now known as Pennsylvania, joining those pioneers who taught freedom of thought and action ; interested them- selves in education and good government ; believed in universal peace; and cher- ished religion, pure and undefiled, as the essential of character and uscfulness. Henry Kumler, grandfather of Charles H., was forcmost among the founders of the United Brethren church, becoming one of its bishops as did his eldest son and namesake.
In the early part of the last century, John Kumler and Sarah Landis were brought as children from Pennsylvania to Ohio, where they grew up and in 1836 were marricd. The young couple settled upon a farm near Trenton, Butler county,
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Ohio, where they continued to reside until the spring of 1873, and where eleven children, eight boys and three girls, were born to them.
In those days, when prices of farm products were comparatively low, toil from early dawn to dewy eve, on the part of the parents and children alike, was re- quired for food, clothing and education. A farmer's boy at thirteen made a "hand" in the harvest field, binding grain behind a seven foot reaper, and the girl at ten ably assisted her mother with the cooking and the housework.
It was under these conditions that Charles, the youngest son of John and Sarah Kumler, was born, November 22, 1855, and lived until his seventeenth year, working in the fields during the summer and getting such limited instruction as the country schools of those days afforded during the winter months. In 1873 his family moved to Dayton, Ohio, and with great eagerness and industry he took ad- vantage of the opportunity to attend the graded schools of a city system. He en- rolled as a pupil in the Perry street school, passed from this to the old Central high school, where, in three years, he prepared to enter Michigan University. This he did in 1877, took a full classical course and was graduated in 1881.
Immediately after graduation Mr. Kumler became a student of law with Nevin & Kumler (the latter his brother, the late Judge Alvin W. Kumler) and in two years was admitted to the bar. It is a remarkable fact that he was the sixth of the eight boys of the family to enter the legal profession, and all of them have received recognition for distinguished ability and unimpeachable integrity. Three of them, Philip H., Daniel B. and Alvin W. Kumler, were at the same time serving as city solicitors of Cincinnati, Ohio; Evansville, Indiana ; and Dayton, Ohio, respectively, and three, Philip H., Alvin W. and John F. Kum- ler, were later elevated from the bar to the bench and were common pleas judges of the courts of Hamilton, Montgomery and Lucas counties.
In 1886 the law firm of Van Skaik & Kumler was formed and continued until January 1, 1894, when Mr. Kumler assumed the duties of prosecuting attorney of Montgomery county, to which he had been elected and for which he was again chosen in 1896, serving with marked distinction for six years. Among the hun- dreds of cases of felony prosecuted by him during that period, one known as the Frantz case, was truly a cause celebre, chiefly on account of conviction by a per- fect chain of circumstantial evidence.
During these busy years of professional labor, Mr. Kumler found time also to perform a citizen's duty toward his community. In 1885 he was elected by the republican party to be a member of the board of education and from 1887 to 1889 inclusive he was president of the board. As a presiding officer he compelled the prompt dispatch of business, and the two great enterprises carried through by the board during his administration, the completion of the Dayton public library and the building of Steele high school, showed excellent judgment and careful finan- cial management. While a member of the school board, Mr Kumler met Miss Marie Jacque, principal of the very district school which he first attended after coming from the farm to the city, and June 26, 1890, they were married and have since resided on Grafton avenue, Dayton, Ohio.
Upon his retirement from the office of prosecuting attorney, Mr. Kumler re- sumed the practice of the law without a partner. Six years spent in the almost daily trial of criminal cases developed and trained his unusual ability in the exam-
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ination of witnesses, the conduct of trials and arguments before a jury. This ability has ever since been generously recognized by courts and fellow lawyers in frequent assignments for the defense, when cases were of special importance and responsibility, and in his employment by other lawyers to assist in trials requiring able and skillful conduct. Although he engages in the general practice of the law, he is frankly admitted to be preeminent as a trial lawyer. During his career he has either prosecuted or defended in twelve first degree murder cases, and in those cases where he appeared as counsel for the defense he has always been able to save his clients from the death penalty. Mr. Kumler is widely known and highly esteemed, a clever after dinner speaker and a man whose companionship is valued and sought.
JUDGE EDWIN P. MATTHEWS.
Judge Edwin P. Matthews, whose services on the common pleas bench and connection with the professional interests has been characterized by signal and faithful performance of duty combined with marked ability in the profession which he has chosen as a life work, was born in Dayton, March 22, 1858, a son of Judge Fitch-James and Frances A. (Parrott) Matthews, the latter a daughter of Thomas Parrott, one of Dayton's prominent pioneer settlers. The father, long distinguished as a member of the Ohio bar, served on the bench of the superior court at Columbus.
Environment, inherited tendency and natural predilection may have consti- tuted forces in Judge Edwin P. Matthews' choice of a profession. At all events, that the choice was a wise one is indicated in the success which he has achieved and by the prominent position accorded him by the consensus of public opinion. When he had mastered the branches of learning that constituted the public-school curriculum in Dayton in his youthful days, he entered Kenyon College as a member of the class of 1879. When he ceased to pursue his studies along lit- erary lines he began reading law in the office of Warren Munger of Dayton, and since his admission to the bar on the 5th of May, 1880, has given close and unremitting attention to the duties of his profession and has made con- tinuous progress until for some years he has been recognized as a representative in the front rank of his calling.
Following his admission he became a partner of George O. Warrington and on the dissolution of the partnership five years later Mr. Matthews began prac- ticing alone. An excellent presence, earnest manner, marked strength of char- acter and thorough grasp of the law and the ability to correctly apply its prin- ciples, make him an effective and successful advocate. He is a vigilant, atten- tive observer of men and measures and this enables him to correctly determine the motive springs of human conduct and to reason from effect back to cause- always an essential of successful law practice. The great care with which he associates all of the facts bearing upon every case and the clearness with which he presents these before the court, are conspicuous elements in his success.
At different times Mr. Matthews has been called from private practice for the performance of official duties, being first elected to office in 1888 when he
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was chosen to represent the first ward in the city council. He received endorse- ment of his work during his first term of two years when in 1890 he was re- elected. In 1889 he was president of the council and in this connection proved himself an unbiased parliamentarian while his influence and support were al- ways given for the advancement of measures and interests calculated to promote municipal progress. In 1892 he was a member of the board of deputy supervis- ors of elections of Montgomery county and on the Ist of May, 1895, was ap- pointed city solicitor, in which position he served for more than ten years or until November, 1905, when he was elected judge of the common pleas court. On the 31st of December of the same year, because of ill health, he resigned his position on the bench, to which he had been elected without opposition. On the 5th of October, 1894, he was appointed United States commissioner for the southern district of Ohio and in that office continued until he resigned on be- ing elected to the bench. On the 20th of February, 1886, he had been admitted to practice in the United States courts. On his retirement from office at the close of the year 1905 he resumed the private practice of law and on the Ist of April, 1907, became a member of the firm of Rowe, Shuey, Matthews & James. Aside from professional interests he is known in business circles of this city as president of the Dayton Lighting Company, to which he was elected in February, 1906.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Judge Matthews was married October 12, 1883, to Miss Edna M. Mills, a daughter of William M. Mills of Dayton. They have five sons and a daughter: William Mills, Margaret A., Fitch-James, Edwin P., Jr., David T. and George T.
Judge Matthews has spent his entire life in this city and his record stands in contradistinction to the old adage that "a prophet is never without honor save in his own country," for here, where he has been known from his boyhood he has attained prominence in municipal affairs, while his professional ability has made him known even beyond the city of his residence.
OSCAR M. GOTTSCHALL.
Oscar M. Gottschall, senior partner of the well known law firm of Gottschall & Turner, also a veteran of the Civil war, joining the army when but eighteen years of age, is numbered among Ohio's native sons and throughout his entire life has stood for progressive citizenship, for municipal progress and individual advance- ment. Born on the 14th of August, 1843, in Newark, Ohio, he is a son of John and Abigail Jane (Conklin) Gottschall, of German and New England descent respectively. The father was born and reared in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but in early manhood removed westward to Ohio. His wife represented one of the old New England families and her grandfather was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war, fighting with the American army throughout the period of hostilities that won independence for this nation.
Oscar M. Gottschall was only two years of age when brought to Dayton by his parents and in this city he pursued his public-school education until he was
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graduated from the high school with the class of 1861. Attracted by the profes- sion of law he at once began preparing for a career at the bar as a student in the office and under the direction of Edmond S. Young, then one of the most promi- nent representatives of the legal fraternity in Dayton. He had continued his law reading for about a year when he felt that his duty to his country was para- mount to all other interests and, constrained by patriotism, he enlisted in August, 1862, in defense of the Union cause, being assigned to duty with the boys of Company K, Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Soon afterward he was pro- moted to quartermaster sergeant of his company, while in January, 1863, he be- came sergeant major of his regiment and the following year was promoted to adjutant, acting with that rank until mustered out on the 25th of June, 1865. The Ninety-third Ohio was first attached to General Gilbert's brigade in Ken- tucky and later formed a part of McCook's corps in the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Gotschall participated in many hotly contested engagements from Stone River to Atlanta, was afterward under the command of General Thomas and witnessed the final overthrow of Hood's forces in Tennessee. At the battle of Chickamauga he was wounded and again at Missionary Ridge. His valor and gallantry on the former battlefield led to his recommendation for promotion to the adjutancy by his superior officer.
When the country no longer needed his military aid Mr. Gottschall returned to Dayton and resumed his law studies, remaining in the office of Edmond S. Young through the period of his preparation and afterward as a law partner in the firm of Young & Gottschall. A change in the partnership occurred by the admission of George R. Young in 1878 under the firm style of Young, Gottschall & Young, the connection being continued until Mr. Gottshall withdrew in 1879. In that year he became junior partner in the law firm of Marshall & Gottschall, his associate being R. D. Marshall. This firm was dissolved in September, 1883, after which Mr. Gottschall practiced alone until February, 1885, when he was joined by O. B. Brown under the firm name of Gottschall & Brown. For eight years they practiced together and then the name of Crawford was added through the admission of Ira Crawford to the partnership. In 1898 Colonel Gottschall became senior partner in the firm of Gottschall, Crawford, McConnaughey & Lim- bert, this connection continuing until January 1, 1903. In January, 1907, the present firm of Gotschall & Turner was formed. While the foregoing indicates in some measure the advance which Mr. Gotschall has made in his profession, it tells little of the unwearied industry which has characterized him in all of his law work. He has secured many cases and lost a few. No one better knows the necessity for thorough preparation and no one more industriously prepares his cases than he. His course in the courtroom is characterized by a calmness and dignity that indicates reserve strength. He is always courteous and deferential toward the court. kind and forbearing toward his adversaries and examines the witnesses carefully and thoroughly, treating them with a respect which makes them grateful for his kindness and forbearance. His handling of his cases is always fuli, comprehensive and accurate, his analysis of the facts is clear and exhaustive and he sees without effort their relation and dependence and so groups them as to enable him to throw their combined force upon the point they tend to prove. In
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his practice he has always made a specialty of corporation and commercial law and his clientage is now extensive.
At a recent date friends of Mr. Gottschall have urged his appointment by con- gress to succeed the late General Anderson as resident manager of the National Soldiers Home. Speaking of him in this connection Judge Dennis Dwyer said : "He is a first-class business man and would in every way, in my judgment, make fitting successor to the gentlemen who have occupied the position in the past. I have known him since he was a little boy going to the public schools and since he grew up to young manhood our relations have always been intimate and more especially during the twenty-four years that I served as judge in the several courts of this county. I can, therefore, truthfully say of him that as a lawyer he is always courteous to the courts, to his associates and to counsel opposed to him in cases ; that he stands in the front rank of his profession as able, painstaking and honest, and is always faithful to the interest of his clients. As a citizen in all the relations of life Mr. Gottschall's character is above reproach and in her hour of need he gave to his country all that any patriot can give-his services as a soldier to preserve the integrity of the Union."
Mr. Gottschall was married April 15, 1869, to Miss Octavia True Soule, the daughter of Charles Soule, the artist, and Elizabeth Mead Soule, and they, happily mated, were separated by the death of Mrs. Gottschall July 19, 1908.
HARRY MORSE ESTABROOK.
Harry Morse Estabrook, vice president and general superintendent of the Barney & Smith Car Company of Dayton, was born in Cambridge City, Indiana, December 25, 1864, but in his infancy his parents removed to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he was reared. His father, Warren D. Estabrook, now deceased, was a native of Holden, Massachussets. The American progenitor of the family came from England in the seventeenth century, being one of two brothers who sought homes in the new world at that time.
In the public schools of Terre Haute, Indiana, Harry Morse Estabrook pur- sued his education through consecutive grades until he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1883. He afterward entered Chaffee's Business College, where he completed a course by graduation in 1884. Entering business life he began working for the West Shore Railroad Company at Frankfort, New York, in the motive power department, and there remained until August 17, 1885, when he came to Dayton and accepted a stenographic position in the office of the Barney & Smith Car Works. There his ready adaptability, faith- ful performance of every duty and entire willingness to serve his employers in the way they desired, led to his promotion from time to time until he became assistant superintendent, superintendent, then vice president and general man- ager. He is also one of the directors of the company and now occupies a posi- tion of executive control in an extensive enterprise which he entered in a humble capacity. Here is another indication of the well known fact that employers are constantly seeking competent assistants who readily take up ideas connected with
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the business, bring to bear common sense in the discharge of their duties and manifest at all times an unfaltering industry. He is also vice president and a director of the Kay & Ess Company.
On the 13th of September, 1888, Mr. Estabrook was married in Dayton, Ohio, to Miss Lulu B. Schaeffer and unto them have been born three children, Charles B., Mary A. and William H. The parents belong to the Grace Meth- odist Episcopal church and Mr. Estabrook is identified with no secret order. His social nature, however, finds expression in his membership in the Dayton City Club, The Dayton Country Club and in the Bicycle Club, the members thereof finding him a congenial companion, always courteous and entertaining. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him as he prefers to concentrate his energies upon his constantly expanding business interests.
JOSEPH WILLIAM DEVERS.
Joseph William Devers, a conspicuous figure in financial and industrial cir- cles of Trotwood, his native city, was born July 26, 1867, of German parentage. His grandfather was one of the early settlers in Pennsylvania, where he spent most of his life. Thomas Devers, the father of our subject, came to Ohio from Hancock, Maryland, when about thirty years old, and settled in New Antioch, Clinton county, where he still lives, being one of the oldest men of that city at the present time. He was a blacksmith by trade and the character of his work brought to him a good patronage. He wedded Amanda Michael and unto them was born one child, Alice D. After the death of his first wife he was again united in marriage, his second union being with Amanda Easterby. The chil- dren of this second marriage were Joseph William, Roy, Lena, Bessie and Ollie, while one child died in infancy.
Reared under the parental roof, Joseph William Devers acquired his educa- tion in the schools of his native city, and during the time not, spent in the school- room he worked in his father's blacksmith shop or was engaged in farm work. When he at length put aside his text-books he went to Johnsville, Ohio, where he started in the blacksmith business on his own account. Although his begin- ning in the business world was a humble one, yet as the years passed they chronicled a steady increase in his patronage, while his diligence and persever- ance have placed him among the prosperous, representative citizens of Trot- wood. From a small blacksmith trade his business has developed until today he is proprietor of a flourishing carriage manufactory and general blacksmith shop. The building occupied by the enterprise was erected by Mr. Devers about two years ago and is one of the largest in the city, being a two story brick struc- turc, located in the heart of the business district. From time to time, as he has prospered, Mr. Devers has extended the field of his activity along other lines and is today president of the Citizens Bank of Trotwood, having been elected to this position a year ago. He is also a stockholder in the Citizens Bank of
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