USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 14
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Trotwood and is associated with various other important enterprises of the city.
On May 8, 1889, Mr. Devers was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Reese, a daughter of Henry and Elmira ( Fenner) Reese, the father being a prominent farmer of Clinton county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Devers have been born eight children : Grace, living at home : May ; Ethel; Iona and Blanch at school; William; Opal; and Don D.
Mr. Devers political allegiance is given to the republican party and frater- nally he is connected with the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 754, and also holds mem- bership with the Modern Woodmen of America, while his religious faith is that of the Christian church. He is an enterprising business man, whose success is due to the fact that he has put due valuation upon industry and close applica- tion, and the exercise of these qualities has brought him to his present prominent position in the business life of Trotwood, and he is held in high esteem by his fellow townsmen.
GEORGE A. McHENRY.
George A. McHenry, conducting a general insurance business in Dayton, while for twenty-five years he has been connected with this line of business here, is also a director of the Royal Remedy & Extract Company. His birth occurred on a farm in Hamilton county, Ohio, November 11, 1867, and in 1872 he arrived in Dayton with his father's family. He is a son of Samuel and Roselia E. (Fagaley) McHenry. The former was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, and devoted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits in that locality, passing away there in 1868. In early manhood he wedded Miss Fagaley and unto them were born six children, two sons and four daughters, of whom one daughter died in infancy, while the five reached adult age and four-George A. and his three sisters are still living. The mother also survives and yet makes her home in Dayton. The three sisters are: Mary A., the wife of the Rev. W. Kilbourn, a United Brethren minister of Piqua, Ohio; Nannie E., the wife of A. R. Har- lacher, of Dayton ; and Maria M., the wife of W. A. Gilbert, of Dayton.
It was about four years after the father's death that the widowed mother re- moved with her children to Dayton and in the public schools George A. Mc- Henry, the youngest of the family, pursued his education until eleven years of age, when he began earning his own livelihood. He entered the employ of the United Brethren Publishing House in the book store where he remained for four years, after which he was variously employed for six months. Realizing how valuable is education as a preparation for the practical duties of business life, he resolved to supplement his early advantages by further study and with this end in view entered Otterbein University at Westerville, Ohio. After leav- ing that institution he secured a position in the office of Benjamin Marot, an insurance man, and since that time has continued in the insurance business. He remained with Mr. Marot for eleven years and in 1896 established a general insurance agency on his own account. In the meantime he had become thoroughly
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familiar with the business in all of its diverse interests and was therefore well qualified to build up a business of his own.
In October, 1897, Mr. McHenry was married in Dayton to Miss Mabel Eleanor Conover, a daughter of A. J. Conover, a prominent manufacturer and banker. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McHenry has been blessed with two sons, Adams C. and Albert Eugene. Mr. McHenry was secretary of the Day- ton Commercial Club in which he is a popular and valued member. He also be- longs to the Dayton City Club and Dayton Country Club and is a member of the Grace Methodist Episcopal church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and at no time is he remiss in the duties of citizenship but puts forth effective effort in promoting the welfare and progress of this city along various lines. His enterprise in business has been the foundation of his present prosperity, making him well known in insurance circles.
JACOB EBY.
Jacob Eby is the owner of four hundred and thirty acres of fine farming land just on the edge of Carrollton, Ohio, and is well known as one of the leading and representative agriculturists of the community. Moreover, he be- longs to one of the oldest families of this part of the state. He was born in Harrison township, May 2, 1849, and is the son of Adam and Susan (Mullen- dore) Eby. Adam Eby was a son of Christian Eby and the latter was an only son of Christian Eby, of Pennsylvania. The family is of Swiss lineage. Chris- tian Eby, Sr., was born December 28, 1777, and died December 10, 1859. He removed to what was then Frederick county but is now Carroll county, Mary- land, where he resided from 1830 until 1838. In the latter year he arrived in Montgomery county, Ohio, where three of his children had previously set- tled-Mrs. Elizabeth Cohler, John Eby and Christian Eby, all having taken up their abode near Farmersville, in Montgomery county, between the years 1832 and 1834. Samuel Eby had left Ohio and settled in Kosciusko county, Indiana, before Christian Eby reached the state and later John Eby also went to Indiana. Christian Eby followed farming in Montgomery county and was identified with its early development for a number of years. He passed away here, December 10, 1859. The grandfather of our subject, Christian Eby, married Susanna Mc- Daniel. He was a native of York county, Pennsylvania, and first settled in Jackson, Ohio, in 1832. Later he removed to Preble county, Ohio, where his remaining days were passed. He still has a sister in Missouri, Mrs. Levina Baile, who is living at a very advanced age. Adam Eby, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, July 10, 1814. He became one of the wealthy farmers of Montgomery county and lived to the very venerable age of ninety years, when he passed away. He was the father of thirteen chil- dren but Jacob Eby is the only one living near West Carrollton or in this part of the county. The other living children are : Christian; James W., of Boston . Iowa; Ephraim, of Preble county, Ohio; Adam, of Orchard, Florida ; C. L. V.,
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of North Dakota; and Mrs. Susan Ulrich, of Jackson township, Montgomery county, Ohio.
Jacob Eby was educated in the schools of Montgomery county and was reared to habits of thrift and industry. Throughout his entire life he has been identified with agricultural pursuits. In his youth, through the training of his father, he became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil, and as the years went by he made steady progress in the business world and is now one of the leading agriculturists of Miami township, owning and tilling five hun- dred and nine acres of fine farm land. The place is situated just at the edge of Carrollton and is equipped with all modern improvements and accessories.
On the 8th of December, 1887, Mr. Eby was united in marriage to Miss Alice Baker, a daughter of Aaron and Nancy (Simpson) Baker. They have become the parents of six children: Dolly, Susan, Owen A., James, Jacob and Ethel.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Eby is an Odd Fellow, becoming a charter member of the lodge at West Carrollton. His brethren of that organization en- tertain for him high regard and in fact he is held in the highest esteem through- out the community. Moreover, he is known as one of the worthy self-made men of the county who owes his prosperity entirely to his own labors, careful management and business activity. What he undertakes he accomplishes if it can be done through earnest, honorable and persistent labor. He believes in progress, whether in agricultural or other lines, and his progressive spirit is manifest in the excellent appearance of his place. He is one of the best known men in this part of the county and his record has at all times been most com- mendable.
JOSEPH STRAUB.
Among the business enterprises which are contributing in stubstantial measure to the development and growth of Dayton is the Permanent Building & Savings Association, of which Joseph Straub is secretary. His life record began in this city, September 26, 1854. His father, Joseph Straub, was born in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, in 1829, and in 1848 came to America as a young man of twenty years, locating in Montgomery county, Ohio. In 1851 he took up his abode in Dayton, where he carried on a business as a cooper and brewer. He served for about a year as a soldier in the Civil war, becoming a member of the Fifty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was married in Dayton in 1852 to Miss Kunigunde Maier and unto them were born six children, three sons and three daughters, all of whom are now living. The mother still survives but the father passed away on the 20th of February, 1909, after a residence of almost fifty-eight years in this city.
Joseph Straub, the oldest member of the father's household, acquired his education in the parochial school of the Holy Trinity parish, but put aside his text-books at the age of thirteen years and entered the employ of John Wenz, a retail grocer, with whom he continued for four years. On the expiration of that
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period he entered the employ of Bunstine, Moses & Boyer, wholesale dealers in dry goods and notions in Dayton. He was with that house for four years, a part of the time as a representative in this city and during the remainder of the time as a traveling salesman on the road. In 1876 he entered the employ of C. C. Moses, wholesale dealer in notions, who was formerly of the firm of Bunstine, Moses & Boyer. A part of his two years' connection with that business was spent upon the road, and subsequently, after an experience in the candy business, he entered the employ of William Focks & Sons, meat packers. He was employed in different capacities by that firm for four years, when he opened a retail grocery on his own account, conducting it until May, 1907, when he accepted his present position as secretary of the Permanent Building & Savings Association.
In 1876, in Dayton, Mr. Straub was married to Miss Josephine Clemens, a daughter of Nicholas Clemens, and they have four living children: Henrietta : Ida; Marie and Helen.
Mr. Straub belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to the Holy Family parish, which indicates his faith in the Catholic church. In politics he is independent and yet he is not unmindful of the duties of citizenship nor does he withhold his support from movements that are calculated to promote public progress.
WILLIAM J. HARRIS.
William J. Harris, office manager of the department of water in Dayton, his native city, was born December 5, 1866, and here spent his youthful days, while his education was largely acquired in St. Joseph's school. Leaving school at the age of seventeen years, he then made his start in the business life by securing em- ployment in a queensware store in Dayton, where he remained for two years. He was afterward connected with the firm of Shaffer & Cooper, manufacturers of harness appliances, for five years, during which period he had charge of piece work. His first public service was in connection with the postoffice, being ap- pointed to a clerkship there in 1886. He spent about two years in connection with the mail service, after which he returned to Shaffer & Cooper, remaining with the firm until April 19, 1890. He was then appointed inspector and collector in the department of water and on the 4th of May, 1903, was promoted to the position of cashier. On the Ist of January, 1906, he left that position and be- came associated with his brother, John F. Harris, in an undertaking business, the relation between them existing until January 1, 1908, when William J. Harris retired from the firm to accept liis present position as manager of the department of water in the city of Dayton. He has proved most capable in this office, his rccord being entirely creditable to himself and satisfactory to the general public.
Mr. Harris was married May 31, 1909, to Miss Alice Murray, a daughter of Charles W. Murray. He is a democrat in his political views, having stanchly supported the party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Modern Woodmen Camp and St. Joseph's church. These associations indicate much of the character of his interests and the rules which govern his conduct.
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He has a wide acquaintance in his native city, where from early boyhood the circle of his friends has constantly increased and he is popular among the different city officials who recognize his personal as well as his official worth.
EDWARD E. BURKHART.
In accordance with a noticeable tendency of the times to select business men of well known enterprise and public spirit to fill positions of trust and administer the affairs of the city, Edward E. Burkhart in November, 1907, was elected to the office of mayor of Dayton, in which connection he has given a businesslike administration, characterized by practical reform and improvement. A native of Sidney, Ohio, he was born October 27, 1872, and in the attainment of his edu- cation continued his studies through successive grades until he completed the high school course by graduation with the class of 1890. In that year he came to Dayton, where he entered the Miami Commercial College and subsequently, with the desire to make the practice of law his life work, he became a student in the office of Gottschall & Brown, well known attorneys, who directed his reading for eight months. At the end of that time he became connected as cashier and assistant manager with the Standard Wheel Company of Chicago, having plants at Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1895 he returned to Dayton and was associated with R. D. Marshall, general counsel of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad Company, as a law student. To further qualify for practice, in 1896 he matriculated in the University of Michi- gan and two years later was graduated with the class of 1898.
On leaving the university Mr. Burkhart returned to Dayton and for a year thereafter was in the law office of Marshall & Marshall. He then entered the law firm of Van Deman, Burkhart & Cline, which relation was maintained for three years, when Mr. Cline, who had been appointed city solicitor, was suc- ceeded by John C. Shea, who was with the firm three years, when Wellington C. Smith succeeded him and the firm style of Van Deman, Burkhart & Smith was assumed. This is one of the leading law firms of the city, enjoying a large general practice that has connected them with much important litigation tried in the courts. Holding to high standards in the profession, giving to his clients the benefit of unwearied industry and of large talent, Mr. Burkhart became so widely recognized as an able, conscientious and progressive lawyer that his appointment to office followed almost as a logical sequence. In 1903 he was made a member of the board of health by Mayor Charles A. Snyder and served upon that board until it was abolished in 1905. In November, 1907, he was elected on the democratic ticket as mayor and is now serving as chief executive of the city. One of the local papers, some months after he had assumed the office, in an editorial said of him: "Mayor Burkhart went into office at a trying time. Previous administrations had bankrupted the city-left it floundering in a sea of debt, without funds to carry on the business of government and things generally were in a run-down condition. Then, he had been in office but a few weeks until the panic broke above him, and there were thousands and thousands of
E. E. BURKHART
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people thrown upon the city for sustenance. The mayor did not shun any duty but took hold of the helm and went to work. It is admitted in all cities that Dayton handled her relief problem advantageously. In fact, Mayor Burkhart and those associated with him handled the local situation in such a way as to win the praise of the people not only of this city but of other cities. There was not a single city in this country where the relief work was more effectively done. and not one where it was carried on with so little complaint. Not a breath of scandal was connected with the relief work here, and it must be remembered, too, that the mayor was wholly inexperienced in such work when he took hold. One of the favorable comments heard about Mayor Burkhart's administration is that he is always at his office, attending to business, and willing and anx- ious to meet every one who has a grievance or a suggestion. He is easily ap- proachable, pleasant in his manner, honest and sincere in his demeanor and has more friends today than he ever had in his life. The mayor who is able to increase the number of his friends is making good."
Those who know Mr. Burkhart, and he now has a wide acquaintance in Dayton, recognize the fact that in all he does he is actuated by high and honor- able principles. He belongs to the Lutheran church and to the Young Men's Christian Association and does not relegate to an inferior position, as an unim- portant factor in his life, his duties and obligations in this connection. Promi- nent in Masonry, he has taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite and of the Mystic Shrine and also belongs to the Elks lodge, the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum and the Dayton Order of Harugari. His appreciation for the social amenities is manifest in his membership in the Dayton City Club, the Dayton Bicycle Club, the Comus Club, the Mystic Club and the Keystone Club. Thus Mr. Burkhart stands before the people today, worthily wearing the highest honors that they can confer upon him, known moreover as an able lawyer and a gentleman in whom the qualities of unfailing courtesy and upright principle are harmoniously blended.
EDWARD NEDER.
Edward Neder, editor of the Volks-Zeitung of Dayton, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1852 and in 1863 came to America, joining his father, George Neder, who had crossed the Atlantic the preceding year and had located in Buffalo, New York. The father's birth occurred June 15, 1828, in a small hamlet in the king- dom of Bavaria and he had the educational advantages offered by several of the leading European colleges so that he was well qualified to take a high position in the field of journalism. Ere leaving his native land he founded and edited the Wurzburger Journal, which has had continuous existence since 1854. In 1862 he sought the opportunities of the new world and became editor of one of the leading German papers of Buffalo, New York, where he resided until 1866, when he came to Dayton and founded the Daytoner Volks-Zeitung, of which he remained the owner and chief editor until his death. The publication was begun as a weekly paper, was afterwards made a tri-weekly and in 1876 became a daily. The
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paper has always been an influential factor among the German-American resi- dents of this part of the state and has been conducted in keeping with the most advanced ideas of modern journalism. Mr. Neder was recognized as a man of sound judgment and keen discrimination, of broad mind and of liberal education. He never sought to figure in public affairs aside from the path of his profession yet was called to serve as a member of the board of education for two terms and was for several years a member of the library board. He gave earnest support to many measures calculated to prove of public good and did valuable service for his countrymen in many ways. In 1849 he married Marianna Eckert and unto them were born eight children of whom four are now living. His wife passed away in 1893 and following his death, which occurred July 19, 1895, he was laid by her side in Calvary cemetery.
Edward Neder was a youth of fourteen years when the family removed to Dayton where he has since made his home. His education, begun in his native country, was continued in the schools of Buffalo and of this city and when he put aside his text-books he began learning the printer's trade under the direction of his father. In 1876 he left Dayton but returned in 1883 and was associated in business with his father until the latter's death, becoming successively foreman, manager and editor, assuming the duties of the last named position in 1893. He has always kept the paper up to its original high standard and it remains, therefore, an in- fluencing factor in German-American circles.
Mr. Neder is a member of various German social societies. He is independent in politics, caring not to ally himself with any party but rather remaining as a free lance to champion the cause which he deems vital as a force in municipal, state or national affairs.
CHARLES M. KINZIG.
Charles M. Kinzig, president of the Peerless Laundry Company of Dayton, has always resided in Montgomery county, his birth having occurred upon a farm within its borders on the 28th of April, 1873. His youthful days were quietly passed in the work of the fields and in the acquirement of an education as a pupil of the country schools, but not desiring to make agricultural pursuits his life work, he came to Dayton at the age of twenty-five years and secured employment in the grocery store of C. L. Coy, with whom he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period he began business in the same line on his own account, so continuing for seven years, but thinking to find the laundry business a more profitable venture, in November, 1907. he organized the Peerless Laundry Com- pany, of which he became the president and general manager. The enterprise has now been in existence for about two years, during which time the trade has constantly increased until the business is now a profitable and substantial one. Moreover, it is the visible evidence of the life of thrift and industry which Mr. Kinzig has lead. The laundry is equipped with the latest improved machinery and employment is furnished about fifty hands.
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In 1899 occurred the marriage of Charles M. Kinzig and Miss Mary Bender, of Dayton, who died in 1907, leaving two children, Elmer and Marie. Mr. Kinzig belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and to the Catholic church. His political views are in accord with the principles of the democracy and while he does not seek nor desire office, he gives to the organization his loyal support. His life is preeminently that of the business man who diligently day by day pursues his course, knowing that persistent and well directed effort constitutes the surest and most stable foundation upon which to build prosperity.
WILLIAM N. ARTZ.
William N. Artz, conducting a prosperous business as a furniture dealer of Dayton, was born in Germantown, Montgomery county, Ohio, September 3, 1859. He was seven years of age when his parents removed to this city, where he has since resided. His father, Joseph S. Artz, is a representative of one of the old families of the state. He was a son of Peter Artz, who was born in Maryland and made an overland trip to Ohio prior to the era of railroad building. He was in fact one of the early settlers of the state, locating here when much of the land was still unclaimed and uncultivated, where the forests were uncut and the streams unbridged. He settled on a farm near Fairfield, Ohio, but spent his last days in Dayton, where for years he was engaged in the wholesale grocery business, becom- ing one of the early prominent merchants of the city.
His family included Joseph S. Artz, whose birth occurred on a farm in Greene county, Ohio, in 1824, and he was reared to the work of the fields. Subse- quently he engaged in the lumber and undertaking business in Germantown. On account of deafness he was rejected when he offered his services to the government in defense of the Union at the time of the Civil war. Removing to Dayton in 1866, he here established a lumber business, which he conducted for about eleven years and in 1877 he bought out the furniture firm of Chadwick & Beaver, and continued in that line of business for a number of years. He became well known as one of the enterprising merchants of the city, subsequently conducting an enter- prise, which under his capable management constantly grew in volume and im- portance. He was married in Germantown, this county, to Miss Elizabeth Neg- ley, a daughter of Captain W. H. H. Negley, and unto them were born eight chil- dren, of whom three died in infancy, while five reached years of maturity and still survive, namely : Ella, the widow of Henry Zell, of Columbus, Ohio ; John D., a resident of Dayton ; William Negley ; Abraham Lincoln, who makes his home in Boston, Massachusetts ; and J. Elam, a resident of Dayton. The mother of these children passed away in September, 1881.
On the removal of the family to Dayton, William N. Artz entered the public schools of this city and continued his education in that manner to the age of fif- teen years, when he started out in the business world, entering the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in the Dayton yards. He there remained for five years, rising to the position of conductor, after which he went to the Dayton & Ironton Rairoad and served that line as conductor for a year. He next entered
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