USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 17
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Reared in the city of his nativity, John S. Cetone acquired his education in the public schools of Dayton, and after laying aside his text-books became iden- tified with the soap-making and cement manufacturing industries. After de- voting some time to this line of activity he took up gardening, in which line of activity he is still engaged. He has conducted his enterprise along strictly busi- ness lines, has employed modern and up-to-date methods and has manifested an ability for good management, so that the success which he now enjoys has come to him as the logical result of well directed energies.
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On the 29th of October, 1903, Mr. Cetone was united in marriage to Miss Anna Myers, a daughter of John and Elnora Myers. The father, who was a chain-maker by occupation, is now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cetone have been born four children, namely, Robert, Ralph, Elnora and Alice.
Mr. Cetone is a member of the Emanuel church and takes an active and help- ful interest in the church work. He gives his political allegiance to the republi- can party but he has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his private business interests. He is not remiss, however, in the duties of citizenship, but lends his influence to all matters 'which have for their object the substantial and permanent growth and upbuilding of the com- munity. Although still young in years, he has already attained a creditable de- gree of success and in this locality where his entire life has been spent, he has acquired a large circle of warm friends, whose respect, esteem and good will he enjoys.
WILLIAM STANLEY McCONNAUGHEY.
The spirit of intense activity characteristic of the present age is as evident in professional circles as in industrial and commercial lines and it has been this spirit which, characteristic of the legal career of William Stanley McConnaughey, has brought him prominently before the general public as a leading attorney at law practicing at the Dayton bar as a member of the firm of Ferneding. McCon- naughey & Shea.
He was born in Tippecanoe, Ohio, February 13, 1873. His father was born in Miami county. Ohio, in 1816, and died in the year 1902. He followed agri- cultural pursuits until middle life. His family numbered five children, of whom four survive, including William S. McConnaughey, who resided in his native city to the age of eighteen years, during which time he pursued a public-school education and was graduated from the high school with the class of 1890. His initial step in a professional career was in educational lines for, after com- pleting his high-school course, he devoted two months to teaching in a country school. The remainder of the winter was spent as a student in the Miami Com- mercial College in Dayton, after which he devoted a year and a half to steno- graphic work for the National Cash Register Company.
Leaving that position in 1892 Mr. McConnaughey entered the law office of Gottschall & Brown for the purpose of preparing for the bar and after thorough preliminary reading was admitted in 1896. He at once entered upon active prac- tice in connection with the firm with which he had previously studied and thus continued until January 1, 1903, after which he practiced alone until September, 1906. At that time he became a member of the present well known and success- ful law firm of Ferneding. McConnaughey & Shea. The firm has an extensive and important clientage, has been connected with many legal cases tried in the courts of the district and its enviable reputation is based upon the many favorable verdicts which they have won.
Mr. Connaughey was appointed referee in bankruptcy in 1903 and is now filling that position. While he exercises his right of franchise in support of
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the men and measures of the republican party he does not seek office nor has he any political ambitions. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum, the Mystic Lodge and to the Third Presbyterian church, which associations indicate much of the nature of his interests and the rules which govern his life.
NATHAN G. WORLEY.
Nathan G. Worley, who for the past fifteen years has been numbered among the leading and successful business men of the county, being engaged in gen- eral merchandising at Trotwood, was born on his father's farm, then situated about a half mile east of Trotwood but now within the corporation limits of the city, on the 16th of March, 1843. His parents were William and Mary ( Higgins) Worley, and his paternal grandfather was Nathan Worley. who, leaving Ken- tucky in 1805, became one of the early settlers of Dayton, Ohio. William Wor- ley, the father of our subject, who was born in 1812 and carried on general farm- ing as a life work, was one of the prominent agriculturists of his community and eventually came from Jefferson township to Trotwood. Caleb Worley, brother of William Worley and an uncle of Nathan G. Worley, valiantly served his country throughout the war of 1812. In the family of William and Mary (Higgins) Worley there were seven children, namely: Amos H., Caleb and Elizabeth, all of whom are deceased; Nathan G., of this review ; Martha and William H., who have also passed away ; and Mary B., a resident of Farmers- ville.
Nathan G. Worley attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the cul- tivation of the home farm. At the time of the Civil war, his patriotic spirit be- ing aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union, he enlisted as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-first Infantry, at Dayton, and did valiant and faithful service under Colonel John G. Lowe, of Dayton. When hostilities had ceased he was honorably discharged at Columbus and returned home with a creditable military record. For the past fifteen years he has con- ducted a general store on Main street, in the town of Trotwood, dealing in all kinds of merchandise, and his well selected and attractive line of goods and earnest desire to please his customers has insured him a profitable and growing patronage.
On the 7th of November, 1867, Mr. Worley was united in marriage to Miss Marie Stillwell, of Troy, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Sayers) Stillwell, who are very prominent and well-known residents of Troy, the father be- ing a leading agriculturist of Miami county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Worley have been born four children, namely: Horace, who married Miss Lena Weaver ; Walter, who wedded Miss Edna Reese, of Clinton county, by whom he has a daughter, Ruth ; Wilbur, who passed away at the age of twenty-four years : and Helen E., the wife of J. E. Stafford, of Trotwood, by whom she has a daughter, Evelyn.
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Mr. Worley is one of the oldest members of the Christian church and is serving as deacon and clerk. In his business life he has met with a measure of success that is indicative of his ability and enterprise, of his careful management and keen discrimination, and he is now classed with the substantial residents of Montgomery county. Having always made his home here, he is well and favorably known and is widely recognized as a worthy representative of a family that has figured prominently in the annals of the county for more than a cen- tury.
JOHN KRAMER.
Only that individual can be said to have lived worthily and well when the news of his demise brings a feeling of deep and sincere sorrow to those who were his associates while he was yet an active factor in the world's work. Few men have passed through life who have been more deeply and truly mourned than was John Kramer, who for sixty years was a resident of Dayton and for many years one of its most prominent, reliable and respected merchants. His labors contributed to the commercial prosperity of the city as well as to individual success and in the conduct of the complex interests of a growing business enter- prise he at all times held steadily to the most honorable course, never taking ad- vantage of the necessities of another in any trade transaction.
Mr. Kramer was a native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, his birth there occurring on Christmas day in 1843, his parents being George and Elizabeth Kramer, who in 1850 removed with their family to Dayton. During his last years John Kramer was the only male survivor who lived in the little log cabin now standing in Van Cleve Park, this being the first house erected on the site of the present city. The public schools of Dayton afforded him his educational privileges, his youth being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the play- ground and such tasks as were assigned him by parental authority.
He was but seventeen years of age when, in response to the country's call for troops, he enlisted for three years' service on the 20th of June, 1861, becoming a private of Company A, Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at Camp Denison. There he was also mustered out on the 20th of June, 1864, by reason of the expiration of his term of enlistment. He was severely wounded at South Moun- tain on the 14th of September, 1862. He participated in all of the engagements in which his company took part save the battle of Antietam, for at that time he was lying wounded in the hospital. He took part in the second battle of Bull Run, the battles of Frederick City and South Mountain, Maryland; Hoover's Gap and Tullahoma in Tennessee; Lane's Church, Chickamauga, Rossville Gap and Look- out Mountain, Georgia ; Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, Buzzards Roost, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca and others of lesser importance, making a record as a brave, intelligent soldier, his course winning him the commendation of the officers throughout the regiment. But a boy in years, his valor was equal to that of many a veteran of twice his age.
After giving three years to faithful, devoted service to his country, Mr. Kramer returned to his home in Dayton and here made his initial step in the business world
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by securing a situation in the hardware store of Langdon & Fowler. Later he was employed in the same line by Rogers, Engle & Keifer, which eventually became the well known hardware firm of Kramer, Viot & Company, through various changes in partnership. For forty-two years Mr. Kramer was identified with the com- mercial interests of the city. His career was remarkably successful, chiefly by reason of his natural ability and his thorough insight into the business in which he embarked as a young tradesman. Early in his business career he performed all the duties that devolved upon him, however humble and however small the recompense might be, conscientiously and industriously. Thus from time to time his faithfulness and ability won him promotion until in the course of years he be- came senior partner of one of the most prominent mercantile enterprises of the city. Like other business men he may not have found all days equally bright but his rich inheritance of energy and determination enabled him to turn defeats into victories. His strict integrity, business conservatism and judgment were always so universally recognized that he enjoyed public confidence to an enviable degree and thus witnessed a steady increase in his business. For twenty years he was a director of the Dayton National Bank.
In 1874 Mr. Kramer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Durst, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. ( Jost) Durst. Her father was a member of the Durst Milling Company. There were four sons of this marriage: Horace, George, Jost and Ed- ward, all residents of Dayton.
The death of the husband and father occurred September 15, 1907, when he was sixty-three years of age and was laid to rest in Woodland cemetery. He was ever devoted to his friends and loyal to the interests of this city, yet his best traits of character were reserved for his own home and fireside, where he was known as a devoted husband and father. He belonged to the Union Veterans League and enjoyed meeting with his old army comrades.
From an editorial which appeared in the Daily Herald we quote the following : "A life of quiet, unostentatious usefulness closed with the death of John Kramer. For over forty years he marched in the ranks of Dayton's soundest and safest citizenship ; giving to business, to family, to church, and to the community the fruits of a high character and the devotion of a strong personality. It is upon such lives as his that the enduring structure of this city has been builded ; it is to such men as he that Dayton owes her prosperity in every right direction. In mer- cantile and financial circles John Kramer's name stood as the synonym of in- tegrity ; to his employes it stood for the most generous and considerate treatment. His was a good life, well spent ; and the city is the poorer for its ending."
J. D. KRAMER, M. D.
Dr. J. D. Kramer was born on the 9th of October, 1878, in Dayton, where he has made his home throughout life. He began his education in the public schools of this city, which he attended until his graduation from the Steele high school in June, 1898. He then went to Philadelphia and entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1902 with
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the degree of M. D. At that time he was a member of the William Pepper Medical Society and also the Phil Gamma Delta fraternity. On finishing his course at the university he spent two years in the hospitals of the east, doing post-graduate work, and later went to Vienna, Austria, where he attended clinics and lectures for one year.
On his return to the United States in 1906 Dr. Kramer came direct to Dayton, where he entered upon the practice of medicine and has since followed his profes- sion in this city. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Society, the Montgomery County Medical Society and the Dayton Academy of Medicine. He is also a member of the William Pepper Medical So- ciety and is serving on the staff of St. Elizabeth Hospital.
WILLIAM KIEFER CALLAHAN.
Among Dayton's native sons who made for themselves an honorable and creditable place in the business circles of the city was William Kiefer Callahan. It is true that he entered upon an enterprise already established, but unlike many sons of successful fathers, he did not regard his father's accomplishments as something which would give him honor and standing without his individual effort and with firm and high purpose he sought to make for himself a name as powerful and as honorable as his father's in business circles. This he not only accomplished, but wrought along even larger lines in keeping with the spirit of growth and progress of the age.
Dayton numbered William Kiefer Callahan among her native citizens, his birth having here occurred on the 8th of January, 1864, his parents being Wil- liam P. and Elizabeth (Kiefer) Callahan. At the usual age he was sent to the public schools and after completing his course here he spent four years as a student in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, of Boston, where he secured a splendid training in both the theory and practice of applied mechanics. He then returned to make his home permanently in Dayton, but the young man did not yet consider himself ready to assume a responsible position in the man- ufacturing plant of which his father was then the leading spirit, although there were then, as now, plenty of openings awaiting men with the right sort of train- ing and ability. He resolved that he would thoroughly acquaint himself with the business in every department and thus by personal knowledge be competent to direct and control the labors of others. Therefore he entered the shop, where he worked as an apprentice for two years, at the end of which time he had mastered every detail of the vast industry and was fully equipped for any posi- tion the business might afford him. He was then admitted to the firm in 1885 and at once became a factor in the work of administrative direction and execu- tive control. After the death of his father he had charge of his estate and was for many years the controlling spirit of the manufacturing firm of W. P. Call- ahan & Company, one of the largest in the city. He was a man of strong, ag- gressive spirit, accomplishing what he undertook, for his ready adaptability en-
WILLIAM K. CALLAHAN
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abled him to understand and utilize conditions and to make his way along the path of continuous and substantial success.
Mr. Callahan's efforts were by no means confined to one line of undertaking or activity. His sound judgment and his undaunted enterprise were influencing factors in the management of various important business concerns. He was the president of the Gem City Building & Loan Association, also a director of the City National Bank, the Dayton Gas Light & Coke Company, the Royal Remedy & Extract Company and the Miamisburg Hydraulic Company. He was like- wise the president of the Ohio Paper Company, whose plant was also located at Miamisburg. He had marked ability in coordinating forces into a unified whole and thus producing. a strength that could not otherwise have been achieved. His business judgment was recognized by all as most sound and re- liable and constituted a moving force in the attainment of success for many enterprises.
In 1891 Mr. Callahan was married to Miss Lida Ohmer, a daughter of George Ohmer, of this city. Mrs. Callahan died seven years later leaving a daughter, Charlotte. Mr. Callahan had extensive fraternal relations, having at- tained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite of Masonry, while with the Mystic Shrine he was also identified. He was likewise a charter member of the Elks society and was in hearty sympathy with the fraternal spirit underlying those organizations. There was nothing narrow nor contracted in his nature, nor was he ever led to endorse any movement inimical to the city's best good. He wrought along large and beneficial lines in public affairs as well as in bus- iness and ever sought the welfare of his native city.
ELIHU THOMPSON.
Elihu Thompson, senior partner of the law firm of Thompson & Thompson, has long occupied an enviable position at the Dayton bar, nor have his influence and labors been inconsequential factors in molding municipal affairs. In all that he does he is practical, being a man of action rather than' theory, and his efforts have wrought along the lines of the greatest good to the greatest number. He is one of Montgomery county's native sons, his birth having occurred about ten miles north of Dayton in Randolph township, October 13, 1837. His parents, James F. and Mary Ann (Riley) Thompson, were both natives of Pennsylvania but about 1820 became residents of Montgomery county, Ohio, James F. Thomp- son accompanying his father, Aaron Thompson, of Allegheny county, Pennsyl- vania, who at that time brought his family to this state. Mrs. Thompson was a daughter of Isaac Riley, who died in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, the mother afterward bringing her family to Montgomery county, Ohio.
Reared to the occupation of farming, James F. Thompson always followed that pursuit and was recognized as a leading representative of his calling and as a citizen of genuine worth. His fellow-townsmen, appreciating his ability and his loyalty in public affairs, called him to the office of constable, in which he served for fifteen years in Randolph township, while for six years he was justice of the
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peace in Jackson township. Twice he was elected land appraiser and was sent to the state legislature, faithfully representing the interests of his district in the general assembly. His wife died in 1887, when seventy-four years of age, and he survived until December 10, 1890, passing away when nearly eighty years of age.
Reared on the home farm to the age of eighteen years, during which time he pursued his early education in the district schools, Elihu Thompson afterward entered the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, and at the age of nine- teen took up the profession of teaching, to which he devoted his energies for eight years. During the summer months he continued his own education and while teaching he devoted his leisure to the mastery of legal principles, largely equipping himself through private study for the practice of the profession. However, he attended for a time the law college at Cleveland and was gradu- ated therefrom May 26, 1862. On the 4th of August of the same year he re- sponded to the country's call for military aid and at Miamisburg, Ohio, enrolled as a member of Company E, Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was in a hospital at Lexington, Kentucky, when the Union forces were there de- feated by General Kirby Smith and was taken prisoner. A week later he was paroled but was held within the rebel lines for ten days longer. When he left their lines near Patriot, Switzerland county; Indiana, he made his way to Camp Chase at Columbus and on the 29th of October, 1862, was honorably dis- charged because of physical disability. On the 9th of December, 1863. Gover- nor Tod commissioned him adjutant of the Second Regiment of Ohio Militia, with which he served as first lieutenant as long as the organization was maintained.
Following the termination of his military experience Mr. Thompson en- tered upon the practice of law March 10, 1864, in Dayton, and for forty-five years has been a representative member of the bar of this city. The court rec- ords give the proof of his ability, which has been manifest in much important legal work both as counselor and advocate. For five years he practiced in part- nership with W. H. Belville and for three years was associated with James P. Whitmore, while for one year he was a partner of James A. Mumma. He then practiced alone for some time but on the Ist of January, 1907, formed a partnership with his nephew. Francis M. Thompson, who is also his legally adopted son.
Soon after his return from the army Mr. Thompson was married in May, 1865, to: Miss. Elina Jane Gregg, of Springboro, Ohio, who died in September, 1866. For his second wife he chose Miss Bell Whitmore, of Dayton, whom he wedded in September, 1868, and in this city they have long been accorded a prominent place in social circles where intelligence is regarded as a necessary attribute to congenial companionship.
Mr. Thompson holds to the Unitarian views, while his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. He has given much attention to the study of theology and has written several valuable papers on theosophy and delivered several lectures on that subject in Cincinnati, Dayton and other cities. He is a profound thinker and logical reasoner, strong in his deductions and clear in statement. The same qualities are manifest in his discussion of political ques-
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tions. He has always been a stalwart advocate of the principles of democracy and in 1869 was elected on the party ticket prosecuting attorney for Mont- gomery county and by reelection continued in the office for four years. As a member of the board of education through two terms he has done effective service for the cause of the public schools and afterward became a member of the city board of police commissioners, serving for two terms and acting as president of the board for one year. Under his direction the excellent police force of Dayton was organized and his service in the department was character- ized by great efficiency. In 1890 the bar association of Dayton elected Mr. Thompson substitute for Judge Elliott of the common pleas court and he ably presided on the common pleas bench for six months. Although he is now in his seventy-second year, he still remains an active and valued member of the profession and his opinions on every subject of vital import, being largely judi- cial in cast, are listened to with interest and attention by those who hear his expression.
HENRY BLUST.
Henry Blust, successfully engaged in business as a wholesale and retail butcher of Dayton, is a worthy native son of this city, his birth having occurred at the corner of Troy and Air streets on the 28th of December, 1869. His parents were Joseph and Anglies (Zink) Blust, the former a native of Germany, who came to the United States in early manhood and took up his abode in Montgom- ery county, Ohio. He has been numbered among the respected and esteemed resi- dents of this county for sixty years and is now a retired agriculturist, making his home on the Blust place in Wayne township. During the Civil war he served his adopted country as a soldier of the Union army. Unto him and his wife were bor11 eight children, as follows: William and Joseph, who are deceased; Leon; Mary ; John : Henry, of this review; Frederick; and Laura. The parents are still living.
Henry Blust was reared and educated in Dayton, attending the common schools until fourteen years of age, when he began learning the butchering business and has since been identified with that line of activity. Twelve years ago he established his present business and by unremitting energy and capable management has built up an extensive and profitable trade, being now one of the prosperous and enterprising representatives of the butchering business in the county. About a year ago his sausage factory was destroyed by fire, incurring a loss of three thousand dollars, but he soon rebuilt and now has a good modern factory. With undaunted spirit he set to work to retrieve his lost possessions and that his efforts have been crowned with success is indicated by the large and in- creasing patronage which is accorded him. The family home, which he erected, is a handsome and commodious structure and is doubly attractive by reason of the generous and cordial hospitality dispensed by its inmates. In foriner years Mr. Blust was in very poor health and was obliged to undergo several operations but is now completely cured.
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