History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II, Part 2

Author: Drury, Augustus Waldo, 1851-1935; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, pub
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1092

USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 2

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JOHN R. BROWNELL

DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY

seventeen years of age, he was ordered sent back to New York. But he eluded the officers and, getting on board the steamer Orizaba, a San Francisco boat, was soon on his way to California. While on the ocean the boilers of the steamer got out of repair and they had to run in at Acapulco. To repair boilers was Mr. Brownell's particular line of work, and he received one dollar per hour. Out of the amount thus earned he paid his fare to California and had one hundred and eighty dollars in gold besides. At San Francisco he worked at his trade for a short time and then went to Plumas county to work in the mines. In 1861 he re- turned to Dayton with two thousand three hundred dollars in gold and com- menced business with his brothers, E. H. and J. H. Brownell.

In February, 1861, J. R. Brownell joined the Dayton Light Guards and in May of the same year disposed of his business and volunteered with his com- pany. August 20, 1861, he reenlisted as sergeant in Company K, Thirteenth Mis- souri Volunteer Infantry, for three years ; was promoted to commissary sergeant March 25, 1862, and as second lieutenant, August 6, 1862. The most important actions the regiment engaged in were : Fort Donelson, February 14 and 15, 1862; Shiloh, April 6 and 7; siege of Corinth, April 30 to May 30; battle of Corinth, October 3 and 4; siege of Vicksburg, June to July 4; and capture of Little Rock, September 10, 1862. Mr. Brownell was honorably mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, April 16, 1864.

He immediately returned to Dayton, Ohio. Here he engaged in the boiler business with his brother under the firm name of Brownell & Company. In 1864 J. R. Brownell organized the company of Brownell, Roberts & Lee, com- posed of J. R. Brownell, George J. Roberts, and Josiah Lee. The business of the firm consisted in the manufacture of machinery and general foundry work and was located at 437 East First Street. On May 8th, 1865, F. J. Brownell, a brother, was admitted to the firm and November 1, 1867, it was reorganized under the name of Brownell, Roberts & Company with the following members: George J. Roberts, F. J. Brownell, Josiah Lee, Samuel C. French, C. H. Kielmeyer and Tanies H. Brownell. At the same time J. R. Brownell bought the boiler business of Brownell & Company and conducted it under the name of J. R. Brownell. Sev- eral changes occurred in the firm of Brownell, Roberts & Company during the years 1869 and 1870 and June 1, 1870, John R. Brownell bought James H. Brown- ell's interest. In February, 1871, George J. Roberts retired from the company, and it was then incorporated as the Brownell & Kielmeyer Manufacturing Com- pany, with a capital of two hundred thousand dollars. They continued business until 1878, when, owing to the panic of 1873-78, were compelled to make an as- signment. At the sale, J. R. Brownell bought two-thirds of the property and Mar- tin Schneble one-third, and the business was continued until 1884. In this year J. R. Brownell bought Martin Schneble's interest, and conducted the business alone, under name of Brownell & Company, until January, 1888, when it was re- organized as Brownell & Company, with a paid-up capital of one hundred thou- sand dollars. In 1891, J. R. Brownell bought the interest of his partners. The business remained at its original location until September, 1888, when a fire oc- curred, destroying the buildings and machinery. They then removed to Findlay street, north of First street, where a portion of the boiler plant had been since 1882. When they had a capacity of one million dollars yearly output and had

DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY

room for five hundred men, three hundred and eighty-seven men were actually employed and their output amounted to six hundred thousand dollars annually.

Mr. Brownell was also interested somewhat in politics. He was defeated once for councilman and three times for water works trustee on the republican ticket, but when a candidate again he was elected county commissioner and mem- ber of the council, and in 1880 state senator in a district strongly democratic. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Old Guard Post; the Loyal Legion of the United States and the Union Veteran League. He was married in the autumn of 1875, to Miss Harriet Alice Smith, daughter of Abra- ham Smith, of Maryland. By this marriage he had four children, three daugh- ters and one son : Carrie J. ; Alice J. now the deceased wife of McCurdy K. Huff- man, who survives her, with one daughter, Jane H. Huffman; Mary L., the wife of Arthur H. Richards : and John R. Brownell, Jr. His death occurred at his home March 27, 1901.

IN MEMORIAM.

The death of J. R. Brownell demands on the part of the stockholders a grate- ful and heartful acknowledgment of his worth as a man and of his invaluable services as an officer of this company. From the beginning he has served as its president and given an amount of labor and watchful supervision to its affairs, which money could not have purchased. To his skillful management the company is indebted for its prosperous financial condition, and which attests his abiding interest in it until the time of his death. Endowed with a vigorous intellect he had improved it by diligent study. Few men have cultivated so wide a field of knowledge and yet few were so thorough, possessed of a most retentive mem- ory ; there were few subjects with which he was not familiar.

A striking trait of his character was his unbending integrity. His scrupulous honesty was so well known and appreciated that he was frequently selected for the discharge of the most responsible trusts. No one was more thoroughly versed in the history of the concern or felt a livelier interest in its prosperity.

A. D. WILT.

A. D. Wilt, whose position as a representative of education in preparation for commercial life is indicated in the fact that he was honored with the presi- dency of the National Business Educators' Association, has been at the head of the Miami Commercial College for over forty years. But while under his guid- ance this school has been a potent force for education in commercial lines, President Wilt is also known for his deep and stimulating interest in all those topics and questions which indicate the trend of modern thought or are relative to the progress and advancement of the world's work.

His birth occurred at Dayton, Ohio, on the 21st of September, 1841, his father being Jacob Wilt. His mother was a daughter of Abram Darst, who came to Dayton in 1805 and was for many years active and prominent in church, so- cial and business affairs. Jacob Wilt came to Dayton in 1835 and established

DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY

a factory for the manufacture of rifle gun barrels, which until 1859 continued to be the largest in the west and supplied the hunters, trappers and early set- tlers of Ohio. Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and the territories with nearly all the arms they used. He invented the machinery with which he made his wide reputation.

A. D. Wilt was educated in the public schools of the city of Dayton, Ohio. As a boy he had access to an excellent library which was the first in the state to be created by an association and which is the predecessor of the present public library of the city. Stimulated by the excellent training in English which he received in the high school and from his home and other associations, he was fortunately able to make much of this fine privilege and laid the foundation for a love of. good literature which made him a broadly informed man and in a measure recompensed him for his lack of college training, which he has always regretted. One of the most fortunate happenings of his youth, as he regards it, was his father's wise step in subscribing his name for the New York Weekly Tribune and requiring him to get it on his way from church on Sundays and carefully read and discuss it. Under Horace Greeley's editorship in those days, with such associates as William Cullen Bryant, Bayard Taylor, Parke Godwin and a number of other highly cultivated literary and political writers, the Tribune was not only the ablest and most influential political journal of the country but at the same time was one of the most elevated and brilliant literary publica- tions and afforded so eager a reader one of the very best means of training in political, social and literary questions. His first employment, which began as a boy of sixteen, was as a district school teacher in districts adjoining the city. This continned for two years, in which he was credited for excellent success not- withstanding his youth. After this, in 1860, he took a course in bookkeeping in the Miami Commercial College, which was founded that year by Edwin D. Babbitt. Mr. Babbitt was a man of much cultivation, with broad ideas, and the young man gained much from his fine influence which contributed to whatever his success has been. Mr. Babbitt admitted Mr. Wilt to a partnership in 1863 and during this connection, which continued until 1865, when Mr. Babbitt retired, the firm published a system of penmanship which was widely received with much favor. From 1865 to 1904 Mr. Wilt was sole owner of the Miami Commercial College. In 1904 it was incorporated and he continues as president. Large numbers of prominent business and professional men have received a training for business here and the college has for many years ranked as one of the fore- most in the United States.

Mr. Wilt was honored with the presidency of the National Business Edu- cators' Association, which met in Washington, D. C., in 1884, and has for many years been prominent as an official and otherwise in the affairs of the National and State Business Educators' Associations. He has twice been president of the Ohio State Business Educators' Association. He served for some years as a member of the Dayton board of education and as a member of the board of city school examiners. During his service he was largely instrumental in having the board establish a system of free night industrial drawing schools, which continued very successfully for some years, with an able corps of teachers who taught hundreds of young artisans of the city. He was also chairman of the

DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY

normal school committee of the board and also of the public library committee and was highly commended for his efficient service.

In 1884 he was appointed postmaster of the city and served with credit for five years under the administration of President Arthur. He has always taken an active part in the political, intellectual and other activities of his city and was at one time president of the Literary Union, an organization which had a mem- bership of some hundreds of leading citizens divided into a number of sections for the study of literary and scientific questions. He was the founder of the Present Day Club, an organization which numbered three hundred or more prominent professional and business men, who for a period of ten years, from 1895 to 1906, met at the leading hotels twice a month for the discussion of a great variety of present day topics-greatly to general edification and advantage. After a lapse of several years the club was felt to be of such general usefulness that it was revived in 1908.

Mr. Wilt is now (1909) chairman of the educational committee of the Day- ton chamber of commerce. He has always been more or less of a contributor to the daily press of the city and has at times edited one of the leading dailies. He is also one of the original members of the Saturday Club, a literary club of eighteen members which has existed for thirty-eight years, and is also the sole English member of the German Club of the city, a club composed of a number of leading German citizens. The Montgomery County Horticultural Society has included him in its membership for the past forty years and he served as its secretary at one period.

He was married in 1872 to Ella, daughter of Mrs. William A. Bickham, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and youngest sister of the late Mayor W. D. Bickham, editor of the Dayton Journal for many years. His family numbers two daughters and a son: Mrs. Jerome B. Thomas, of Brooklyn, New York; Mrs. William H. Schweppe, of Los Angeles, California ; and A. D. Wilt, Jr., who is a graduate of Harvard University and now a manufacturer of Detroit, Michigan. As this sketch shows, Mr. Wilt has been an active citizen, always ready in the promotion of public welfare.

GUSTAV REINIGER, JR.

Gustav Reiniger, Jr., is the owner of a large greenhouse situated on ten acres of valuable land on the Wolf Creek pike in Stillwater Junction. He is a native of Eberswalde, Germany, in the province of Brandenburg, his natal day being January 28, 1874. When nine years of age he accompanied his parents, Gustav and Augusta (Buchholz) Reiniger, on their emigration to the United States, the family home being established in Dayton. August Reiniger, the parental grandfather, spent his entire life in the fatherland. After taking up his abode in this county Gustav Reiniger, the father of our subject, was employed in several factories in Dayton and by earnest labor and careful expenditure at length accumulated capital sufficient to enable him to purchase property at the corner of Dover and Lorain streets.

DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Gustav Reiniger, Jr., whose name introduces this review, obtained his educa- tion in the schools of Dayton and after putting aside his text-books secured a position as assembler with the National Cash Register Company. With the money which he had saved from his earnings he afterward bought property on Dover street but subsequently traded this for his present business and, as before stated, is the owner of a large greenhouse situated on ten acres of rich and pro- ductive land. The success which has attended his undertakings is all the more creditable by reason of the fact that it has been attained entirely through his own diligence and industry and he is well known as a substantial and enterpris- ing citizen of the community.

On the 28th of November, 1896, Mr. Reiniger was united in marriage to Miss Lena Praeg, a daughter of Fred and Margaret Praeg, the father being a carpenter of Dayton. Unto them have been born four children, namely : Augusta, Helen, Fred and Arthur, all of whom are attending school. Mr. Reiniger is a devoted and consistent member of the Lutheran church and is widely and favorably known throughout the county in which he has now made his home for more than quarter of a century.

DR. N. W. COWDEN.

Dr. N. W. Cowden, one of the younger of Germantown's successful physi- cians, was born in Quaker City, Ohio, on the 11th of March, 1872, and is a son of William and Deborah (Laughlin) Cowden. The father was also born on the old family homestead in Quaker City and became a prominent farmer and land owner of that part of the state. His parents were David and Margaret Cowden and the former was a son of William and Margaret (Newman) Cow- den, who came from County Antrim, Ireland, to the new world and were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. Subsequently they continued on their west- ward way to Ohio and, going to Guernsey county, David Cowden, the progenitor of the family in the United States, there lived a retired life. William Cowden, the father of our subject, was a worthy representative of a pioneer family that was prominently and honorably connected with the early development of the Buckeye state. He made farming his life work and attained success and promi- nence in that field of labor. As he prospered in his undertakings he made further investment in land until he became the owner of a section of the best land in the county. He was very widely known and was an influential and pub- lic-spirited citizen, whose aid and cooperation could always be counted upon to support and promote any measure for the public good. He was recognized as one of the political leaders in political circles in the county and three times was a candidate for the state legislature. He was also a member of the state tax commission, being appointed by Major William McKinley. That he occupied a prominent position among the raisers of sheep is indicated in the fact that he was chosen secretary of the Ohio Wool Growers' Association. Neither did he neglect the higher, holier duties of life for he was active in the work of the United Presbyterian church, giving loyal support to its interests and closely

DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY

following its teachings. For a long period he was one of the elders of the church and was also very prominent in the work of the Sunday school. In his family were seven children: David L., a physician; William K., who is a prac- ticing attorney; Dr. N. W .; Mrs. Jennie M. Henderson; Henrietta, who is in India ; Deborah, at home; and Harris S., who is practicing dentistry.

Dr. Cowden, whose name initiates this review, was a pupil in the public schools of Quaker City, Ohio, to the time of his graduation in the class of 1891. He then taught school for a year but regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor, desiring to become a member of the medicai profession. To this end he entered the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, from which he was graduated with the class of 1897. He afterward pursued a post-graduate course in 1899 and again in 1904 further supplement- ing his knowledge by post-graduate work, for he holds to high ideals in his profession and puts forth every effort in his power to attain proficiency in his chosen field that will make his work of permanent value to his patrons. In the fall of 190.4 he came to Germantown, where he has since enjoyed a large and steadily increasing practice.

His church membership is still with the United Presbyterian church of Quaker City. He belongs to the Masonic lodge, the Knights of Pythias, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Modern Woodmen and the Na- tional Protective Legion, all of Germantown. He is a gentleman of unfailing courtesy and genial manner, whose circle of friends is an extensive one.

JOHN W. STODDARD.

In contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, John W. Stoddard stands today as one of the dis- tinguished and representative men of Dayton, his native city. He has largely devoted his energies to manufacturing and with marked ability to plan and per- form he has put forth many new and practical ideas in the business world that have been resultant factors in the attainment of success. Moreover, in all of his business career there has not been a single esoteric phase, his record being one which at all times will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, his suc- cess being won in close conformity with a high standard of commercial ethics.

Mr. Stoddard was born October 1, 1837, a son of Henry Stoddard, who in pioneer times became a resident of Dayton and was closely associated with the growth and development of the city for many years. His birth occurred in Woodbury, Connecticut, March 18, 1788, his ancestors being among the pil- grims of New England and among those who fought for American liberty in the Revolutionary war. Asa Stoddard, grandfather, of John W. Stoddard, was a direct descendant of the Rev. Anthony Stoddard, of London, England, who in 1670 established his home in Boston, Massachusetts, since which time many of his descendants have occupied positions of prominence and honor in the New England, eastern and middle states.

JOHN W. STODDARD

DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Henry Stoddard acquired a common-school education, spent five years as a salesman in a store, and then after thorough preliminary reading of law was admitted to the bar in 1812. In 1817 he made permanent location in Dayton, traveling westward on horseback with the Hon. George B. Holt. Although the little village of six hundred inhabitants did not seem to offer an extremely promising field, yet he undertook his professional labors here, riding the circuit at an early day to attend court in the different counties. In the course of years he became recognized as one of the distinguished lawyers of Montgomery county, Ohio, continuing in active practice until 1846 when he retired. In the meantime he had become connected with various business interests and thereafter his at- tention was given to private affairs. He was prominent in the First Presbyterian church of Dayton, in which he served as ruling elder and in that faith- he passed away November 1, 1869. His first wife was Harriet L. Patterson, who died October 1, 1822, leaving a son, Asa P. Stoddard. His second wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Williams, died April 5, 1861. Their children were: Henry, of California ; John W., of this review ; Mrs. Samuel B. Smith, of Dayton ; and E. Fowler, deceased.

Reared in his native city John W. Stoddard attended private schools here and completed the work of the freshman and sophomore years in Miami Univer- sity. As a junior he entered Princeton College and is numbered among its alumni of 1858. He then became a student in the Cincinnati Law School and was graduated in 1860, after which he devoted two years to successful law prac- tice, but, abandoning the law for a commercial career in 1862, he began the manufacture of linseed oil in partnership with his brother Henry and Charles G. Grimes under the firm style of Stoddard & Grimes. For three or four years the business was continued on the original plan and was then extended in its scope to include the manufacture of varnishes, while a wholesale trade was es- tablished in paints, oils, window glass, etc., under the name of Stoddard & Company. After several years' connection with the business, John W. Stoddard disposed of his interests to his brothers Henry and E. Fowler Stoddard in 1869 and joined John Dodds in a partnership under the firm style of John Dodds & Company, for the manufacture of agricultural implements. A change in partnership occurred five years later, when the firm of J. W. Stoddard & Com- pany was formed, E. Fowler Stoddard and William A. Scott being admitted. In 1884 the Stoddard Manufacturing Company was organized and John W. Stod- dard remained at the head in the position of president and principal stock- holder. It was one of the leading manufacturing industries of Dayton, its output being shipped to many sections of the country, while its trade constantly in- creased and its well equipped factories and skilled employes secured an output of the highest grade. In 1905 this company was practically succeeded by the Dayton Motor Car Company, manufacturers of the Stoddard Dayton Automo- bile, one of the largest and most successful motor cars manufactured in the United States. Of this company John W. Stoddard is president. While there are now many kinds of automobiles on the market, experience has shown that all are not of equal value. In fact the kinds of high grade cars are compara- tively few but the Stoddard machine is one which meets the requirements of the most exacting and the most fastidious. The utmost care is taken in the selec-

DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY

tion of the material and in the construction of the car, together with supplying its equipments, and the Stoddard automobile today has a very wide reputation as a high class and thoroughly satisfactory machine. Before another year has passed another company will be formed, which will be a separate organization from the Dayton Motor Car Company, for the purpose of manufacturing taxi- cabs, smaller cars and heavy trucks. Although this will be a separate concern, Mr. Stoddard will be interested therein as a stockholder.

In May, 1861, Mr. Stoddard was united in marriage to Miss Susan Keifer, whose father, Daniel Keifer, was one of the pioneer residents of Dayton. The family now numbers a son and three daughters: Charles G., vice president and superintendent of the Stoddard Manufacturing Company ; Mrs. Charles M. Wood ; Mrs. E. F. Platt and Mrs. E. S. Reynolds. The family home is a beautiful resi- dence on a hillside in Dayton and is the center of a cultured society circle.

Mr. Stoddard is well known as a prominent member of the Dayton Club, of which he was honored with the presidency. He holds friendship inviolable and true worth can always win his regard. He believes in the aristocracy of worth rather than of birth and has commendable hatred of sham and preten- sion. He is today one of the most honored and respected citizens of Dayton, for the use which he has made of his opportunities and his talents has brought him prominently before the public in various relations and in all things he has measured up to the full standard of honorable manhood.

JOHN A. McMAHON.

John A. McMahon, recognized as one of the influential factors in the ranks of the democratic party in Ohio, doing much to shape its policy and mold its destiny, is moreover one of the leading members of the Dayton bar, his ex- tensive practice being indicative of the high position which he occupies in the ranks of the legal fraternity in this city. His views upon all vital public as well as professional questions are so practical, his insight so keen and his labors so effective as to make him one of the men of affairs of Dayton.

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History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II, Part 2

Author: Drury, Augustus Waldo, 1851-1935; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, pub Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1092

Author: Drury, Augustus Waldo, 1851-1935; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, pub
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1092