USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 23
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Mr. Wilson is not unknown in social life. In fact, he is a popular member of the Union League Club of Chicago, the Chicago Athletic Club, the Chicago Engi- neers Club, the City Club, the Caxton Club and the Glenview Country Club, all of Chicago. Already he has a somewhat extended acquaintance in Dayton, his repu- tation having insured him a warm reception in the business circles of the city.
SIMON S. MUMMA.
Simon S. Mumma, who is successfully engaged in market gardening in Harri- son township, has a well improved farm of sixty acres on the Salem pike, about two and a half miles from Dayton. His birth occurred February 2, 1857, on the old Mumma homestead in Harrison township, his parents being Jacob and Susan (Klepinger) Mumma, the former also a native of this county. Jacob Mumma, a retired agriculturist, is one of the best known men in Montgomery county and
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one of the oldest citizens of Harrison township. Unto him and his wife were born eleven children.
Simon S. Mumma received his education in the schools of his native town- ship and when not busy with his studies he aided his father in the cultivation of: the home farm. Since attaining man's estate he has devoted his time and energies to truck farming on his place of sixty acres and also raises some stock, meeting with a highly gratifying and most commendable measure of success in his under- takings. He has erected a large and substantial barn, while his residence is one of the most attractive and commodious in the entire county, containing eleven rooms and being up-to-date and modern in every particular. His reputation for business integrity is unassailable and his methods have ever been such as would bear close investigation and scrutiny.
On the 28th of September, 1882, Mr. Mumma was united in marriage to Miss Nannie M. Studebaker, a daughter of James and Beliah (Sweitzer) Studebaker, who came to this county from Pennsylvania. Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children, namely : Earl M .: Myrtle M., the wife of Harold Wampler ; Ethel M. ; and Orphia. Mr. Mumma belongs to the First Reformed church and his life has ever been in harmony with his professions as a member thereof. He has always lived in this county and his interest in its welfare and npbuilding is deep and sincere, as is manifest by his active cooperation in many movements for the public good.
WILLIAM J. BURKHARDT.
William J. Burkhardt is a splendid representative of the German-American citizenship in Dayton. The Teutonic race has had much to do with the civiliza- tion of the world and with its continued progress in later years. The great Ger- man empire is continually sending forth its sons, who carry with them into new regions the spirit of persistency and determination which has ever characterized the people of that land. To this class belong William J. Burkhardt, now well known in Dayton as a manufacturer of jewelry.
He was born in Pforzheim, Baden, on the 9th of March, 1870, and is a son of Christian Burkhardt, whose birth occurred in Knittlingen, Germany, in 1834. Crossing the Atlantic to America in 1858, the father located in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked for Duhme & Company until after the outbreak of the Civil war. He was one of those who volunteered for the defense of Cincinnati against the threatened invasion of the Confederates under General Kirby Smith in 1863. As he was not at that time a naturalized citizen of the United States, he could not regularly enlist in the Federal army but defended the interests of his coun- try as stated. He was always most loyal to America, her people and her institu- tions, having a deep attachment for his adopted country. He was connected with one of the military organizations of this state for eighteen months. In 1863, however, he returned to Germany and spent the remainder of his days in his native land, passing away there in 1897. He was married in that country, in the year of his return, to Miss Catharine Karcher and unto them were born eleven
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children, eight of whom died in infancy, while three are yet living, namely : Henry E., of Cincinnati, Ohio; William J., of this review; and Albert, who is also a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio. As indicated, the surviving sons have all become residents of the new world and are still living in Ohio. The mother died in Germany in December, 1907, having survived her husband for about a decade.
William J. Burkhardt was reared in the land of his birth, remaining there to the age of eighteen years, when the favorable reports which he had heard con- cerning America and its business conditions awakened in him the desire to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic. Accordingly he bade adieu to home and kindred and sailed for New York city, there remaining for two years. In 1890 he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and entered the employ of Duhme & Company, jewelers, with whom he continued for five years. In 1898 he removed to Dayton and opened his present store, having since engaged in business here as a manu- facturer of and dealer in jewelry. The business has had a healthful and sub- stantial growth, increasing year by year until it is now a profitable enterprise, while the owner is regarded as a valuable asset in the business circles of his adopted city.
In 1899 Mr. Burkhardt was united in marriage in Dayton to Miss Katie Hof- fritz and they have four children : Carl William, Elsa Frieda, Emma K. and Her- man Frederick.
The family belong to the Lutheran church and Mr. Burkhardt is also a mem- ber of St. Luke's Society, the German Turngemeinde, the Deutsche Eiche Lodge and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He occupies a prominent position among the German-American residents of Dayton, nor is his acquaintance by any means limited to those of his own nationality. He is a true American citizen in thought, interests and purpose, having a sincere attachment for the stars and stripes. He has found here a congenial atmosphere, while its business conditions have been favorable, as they always are if one has industry, energy and determination. In this land, where labor is unhampered by caste or class, success depends upon the individual and, realizing this fact, William J. Burkhardt has made steady progress.
KEPPELE HALL.
Keppele Hall, a contracting engineer of Dayton, whose thorough prepara- tion for his profession, combined with his unfaltering energy, has brought him to a creditable position in business circles, was born in Newark, New Jersey, on the 10th of June, 1872. A year later his parents removed to Trenton, New Jer- sey, where they resided until 1898. In the meantime the son began his education in the public schools and continued his studies in the State Normal and Model School, from which he was graduated in 1889. Splendid educational facilities were offered him, for after leaving that institution he had the privilege of at- tending Princeton University, where he completed the four years' course by graduation in 1893, while subsequently he pursued a post-graduate course in electrical engineering, there continuing for a year.
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After winning his degree of electrical engineer, Mr. Hall opened an office and remained in Trenton until 1897. He then went to New York city with the West- ern Electric Company, accepting a position in its electrical laboratory. After spending three years there he went to Red Bank, New Jersey, in 1900 as man- ager of the Shore Electric Company and the Seabright Electric Light Company. He remained at Red Bank until 1902 and then came to Dayton as consulting en- gineer for the National Cash Register Company, which position he filled for four years or until 1906, when he began an engineering contracting business on his own account under the name of the Keppele Hall Company. In 1908 the busi- ness was reorganized as the Hall-Cronan Company, of which Mr. Hall is the president. This is now one of the profitable concerns of the character in Dayton, the ability of the partners gaining for them first rank in professional circles.
In 1896 Mr. Hall was united in marriage in Trenton, New Jersey, to Miss Fanny Southard Hay, a daughter of Malcolm Hay, of Pittsburg, who was the first assistant postmaster general under Cleveland's first administration and died while filling that position. Mr. Hall belongs to the Dayton City Club, the Buz- fuz Club, the Dayton Country Club and to Christ Episcopal church-associa- tions which indicate much of the nature of his interests. In politics he is inde- pendent and does not seek office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon a business for which he has splendidly qualified by educational training and in which he has made steady advance, occupying a prominent place in professional circles.
CONRAD J. MATTERN.
Conrad J. Mattern, practicing at the Dayton bar as senior partner of the firm of Mattern & Brumbaugh, was born October 14, 1869, in Pomeroy, Ohio. His father, Conrad Mattern, was a native of Germany and, coming to America with his parents in his youthful days, became a resident of Pomeroy where he remained until his removal to Dayton, in 1888. He served his adopted country as a soldier in the Union army in the Civil war, becoming a member of the Ohio infantry.
Conrad J. Mattern became a pupil in the public schools of Pomeroy at the usual age and therein pursued his studies, passing through consecutive grades until he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1888. A mental review of the field of business determined him to enter upon the study of law in preparation for a life devoted to the practice of the profession. His collegiate work was done in the Cincinnati Law School, from which he was graduated in 1891 and the same year was admitted to the bar. It was also in that year that he became deputy clerk of the common pleas court and so served until 1895. In the latter year he was made clerk of the police court, capably filling the posi- tion for three years. He now gives his attention to the private practice of law and his ability has carried him into important professional relations, his thorough and comprehensive understanding of legal principles enabling him to see the re- lation between points involved and the points in litigation. His presentation of his cause is always earnest and forceful and the records chronicle many notable verdicts which he has won for his clients.
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In 1893, in Dayton, Mr. Mattern was married to Miss Jessie Whitehurst, and they have two sons, Guinn and Lewis. Mr. Mattern belongs to the Masonic fraternity, to the Sons of Veterans Camp and to the United Brethren church, as- sociations which indicate much of the nature of his interests. His political views accord with the principles of the republican party and he takes an active interest in its work, believing that the adoption of its platform will best conserve good government.
WILLIAM R. SULLIVAN.
William R. Sullivan is one of the most industrious young men in Dayton and by his unfaltering diligence has been very successful in all the business en- terprises in which he has engaged. His ideas are of a practical character and whenever one avenue of advancement seems closed he seeks out another path whereby he may attain the goal of his desires. It is thus that he has become well known as a successful business man, having now a large clientage both as an insurance agent and investment broker.
Dayton numbers him abong her native sons, his birth having occurred here in 1869. At the usual age he entered the public schools and passed through consecutive grades as he mastered the branches taught in each semester. He also attended St. Mary's Institute but left school at the age of fourteen years, in order to provide for his own support, as his father had died and it was nec- essary that he earn his own living. Indeed he was dependent upon his own re- sources from the age of twelve years, although he attended school for two years longer, using the vacation period and the morning and evening hours for his work. He was first employed by the firm of S. N. Brown in painting wagon hubs on Saturdays and after school. Later he entered the Brownell Boiler Works, where he continued for a year and a half, after which he secured a position in the office of his uncle, John A. Murphy, a coal dealer, with whom he continued for three years. He then became night yard clerk for the Big Four Railroad Company and for a year and a half he was chief yard clerk. Two months later he received the appointment of assistant secretary to the city auditor and filled that position for seven years. In 1898 he was elected clerk of the police court and served for three years. On the expiration of that period he went to Mexico where he spent a year, after which he returned to Dayton and here engaged in the insurance business. It has since claimed his time and energies and that he thoroughly understands insurance in every department and manifests close application and unfaltering diligence is proven in the success which he has won. He is also well known as an investment broker and is thoroughly informed con- cerning the value of commercial paper and other investments.
In 1902 Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage in Dayton to Miss Clara Hanley and they have three children as follows: James Gordon, Jane Claire and Vir- ginia Louise. In his fraternal relations Mr. Sullivan is an Elk and is also con- nected with the Knights of Clumbus. He belongs to St. Joseph Catholic church and in his political views is a democrat and interested in the success of his party
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and active in support of its principles. He is a man of good habits, who gives strict attention to business and there is no esoteric phase in his life record. He has sought his advancement along legitimate lines and it is because he has not been afraid of hard work but has persistently sought his success that he is num- bered among the men of affluence in his community.
ANDREW AMAN.
Andrew Aman, a representative of the jewelry trade of Dayton, his native city, was born in 1862. In 1864, however, his parents removed to Waynesville, Warren county, Ohio, although later they returned to Dayton, where the father, Arbogast Aman, died in the year 1898. He is still survived by his widow, who is yet a resident of this city. The father was born in Germany in 1837 and in early life came to America. He was married in Xenia, Ohio, to Miss Sibila Bender, and to them were born five children, of whom two died in infancy, while three are yet living, namely : Andrew, Clara E. and Charles M., all residents of Dayton.
Mr. Aman of this review was but two years of age when his parents went to Waynesville, Ohio, and there he lived until he reached the age of sixteen, when the family returned to Dayton. Here he entered the jewelry store of Frank Saup and learned the trade. There he continued for thirteen years, during which time he gained comprehensive knowledge of the business in principle and detail, his broad experience well qualifying him to engage in business on his own account when, in 1889, he opened a stock of jewelry in the same room which he now occupies. He formed a partnership with H. S. Crane, the firm being known as Aman & Company, but in 1896 Mr. Crane retired and our subject has since been alone in business, though he has retained the old name of Aman & Company. His trade has increased very largely and he now has one of the largest jewelry stores of Dayton. He carries a well selected line of goods, containing some of the finest productions known to the trade and his patronage is of a most gratifying char- acter. He was a victim of one of the boldest robberies that ever occurred in Day- ton. On the night of February 20, 1903, just before closing time, at ten minutes of six, P. M., a window was broken and from it was taken a box of gems valued at two thousand, six hundred dollars. No trace of the robbers have ever been found.
In February, 1906, in Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Aman was married to Miss Kath- arine Zuebelen, a daughter of Dr. G. Zuebelen, and on their wedding trip they visited Honolulu, Japan and China, leaving San Francisco on the 8th of March, just before the earthquake, and returning on the Ist of July in time to see the terrible change that had been made in the few months that they had been gone. They have one son, Andrew, Jr. Mr. Aman has devoted considerable time to travel. In 1899 he toured the West Indies while the American soldiers still occu- pied Cuba and Porto Rico. Since then he has traveled extensively through many countries in Europe, including Turkey and Greece, and has also visited Egypt and the Holy Land. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, to the Knights of Columbus and to Emanuel (Catholic) church. He is not a poli-
ANDREW AMAN
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tician nor does he seek to figure prominently in the public life in any way outside the strict path of business. He concentrates his attention and his energies upon the upbuilding of his trade and the result is shown in a liberal patronage which makes his one of the leading jewelry establishments of this city.
G. RUSSELL WELLS.
An unchangeable destiny accords success to tireless energy when it is guided by sound judgment. In all of his business career G. Russell Wells, one of the leading merchant tailors of Dayton, has recognized that the present and not the future holds his opportunity and has won his advancement because he has made use of each passing hour. Born in Dayton in 1855, he has always resided here and that his life record in its various phases has been the exemplification of many sterling traits of character is indicated in the high regard in which he is uniformly held. He comes of English ancestry, his grandfather, William Wells, having been a native of England. On crossing the Atlantic to the new world he settled in Massachusetts, where his remaining days were passed. His son, Foreman S. Wells, was born in that state about 1830 and in early manhood arrived in Day- ton, where he later wedded Miss Mary Lehman, a native of this state and a daughter of David Lehman, one of the pioneer residents of Dayton. Unto this marriage were born four children: Alice E., the wife of Samuel Lutz, of Day- ton ; G. Russell, of this review ; Rollen D., of Dayton; and Sallie K., the deceased wife of John L. Kneisly, her death occurring in July, 1900. The father continued in business in Dayton until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he offered his services to the government, joining the Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, but when the regiment was organized he was rejected on account of his size. Later he was accepted as a member of the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer In- fantry and disappeared in 1862, since which time nothing has been heard from him. He was a member of the old Dayton volunteer fire department-Oregon No. I-and was well known in the early days of the city. His wife, a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, died March 7, 1906, at the age of seventy-six years.
G. Russell Wells is indebted to the public-school system of Dayton for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. Circumstances, however, forced him to leave school at the early age of thirteen years to provide for his own support. He then began to work in a tailoring establishment and worked up to high sales- manship. In 1887 he began business on his own account in a partnership which continued for seven years. Later he became the junior partner of the firm of Charch & Wells, which relation was maintained for about six years, or until 1901, when Mr. Wells became sole proprietor of the business, which he is now conducting under his own name. He has a well appointed establishment, carries a large line of goods and draws his patronage from among the best people of the city. He uses the latest improvements and appliances to facilitate his busi- ness, employs a number of skilled workmen and has an able corps of assistants in his establishment. That he is prominent and popular among the representa- tives of the same line of business is indicated by the fact that he was honored
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with the presidency of the Merchant Tailors Exchange of Dayton for many years. He has likewise extended his efforts to other fields of activity, being now the president of the Ball Cream Beater Company of Dayton and a director of the Bradford Woolen Company of this city. His business judgment is sound and reliable so that his cooperation is regarded as a valuable factor in different business concerns.
Mr. Wells is very prominent in different organizations, being now the secre- tary and treasurer of the Vingt et Un Club and a member of the Bicycle Club, Mystic Club, Garfield Club, and the Fish & Game Club. He is likewise a prom- inent Mason, belonging to the lodge, chapter, commandery and consistory. He has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and is first alchemist in Antioch Shrine. He belongs likewise to the Knights of Pythias lodge and is a member of the First Reformed church and the Young Men's Christian Association, serving on the social committee in the latter organ- ization. His political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party and he takes an active interest in politics. At one time he served as a member of the board of education and the public schools have found in him a warm friend and stalwart champion. His citizenship is of a most progressive character and is manifest in his cooperation with all that pertains to the public good. He justly merits all the praise implied in the term "a self-made man," for starting in life on his own account at the age of thirteen, he has sought success along lines which never demanded nor required disguise. His energy and persistency of purpose have enabled him to overcome obstacles and diffi- culties which have proved stumbling blocks in the path of others and in his intelligent anticipation of and appreciation for opportunity, he has won the success which now places him in a prominent position among the business men of Dayton.
Mr. Wells was married in 1881 to Miss Louise Cotterill, of Dayton, who died September 16, 1886, leaving one son, George Reber Wells, now in the employ of Winters National Bank. Mr. Wells was again married April 29, 1896, his second union being with Miss Bessie M. Salisbury, of Dayton, by whom he has a son, Dickson Heinl Wells, now eleven years of age.
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JOHN C. SHEA.
John C. Shea, attorney at law, practicing at the Dayton bar as a member of the firm of Ferneding, McConnaughey & Shea, was born April 25, 1876, in the city which is yet his home and was here reared and received his preliminary edu- cation. He left school at the age of eleven years, however, to earn his own living and was first employed as office boy by the firm of Young & Young, attor- neys at law. Afterward he was employed in the factory of the Barney & Smith Car Works. It was while in his first service that he became imbued with the desire to some day enter upon the practice of law and in the intervening years he never gave up this plan but worked always with that end in view. Realizing that general education constitutes a basis for professional learning, he attended
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the University of Notre Dame at South Bend, Indiana, meeting the expenses of his college course through his own labor. He left that institution in 1895 and returned to Dayton, where he was employed in various ways, but in the fall of 1897 he entered the postoffice in a clerical capacity, there remaining for a year. During the same period he acted as janitor at Miami Commercial College in order to obtain a commercial education. In 1898 he entered the employ of the Na- tional Cash Register Company as stenographer in the legal department, where he remained until 1900 when he took a stenographic position in the office of Hon. John A. McMahon, there reading law as he had opportunity until the fall of 1901. At that date he matriculated in the Western Reserve University, Cleve- land, and was graduated in 1902 from the law department.
Immediately Mr. Shea returned to Dayton, where he opened an office for him- self, and six months later he formed a partnership with John N. Van Deman and Edward E. Burkhart under the firm name of Van Deman, Burkhart & Shea, which relation was maintained for three years, when the present firm of Ferne- ding, McConnaughey & Shea was organized. In this connection Mr. Shea is doing important legal work and in his profession has based his advice upon an understanding of the fact that unremitting diligence, close and discriminating study and logical reasoning constitute the basis of success.
Mr. Shea has never held political office but in 1906 was defeated for the posi- tion of city solicitor, his party being in the minority. He is secretary, attorney and director of The Market Savings Bank ; is secretary and director of The Co- lumbian Land & Building Company ; and director of The W. L. Bucher Cigar Company and The Gem City Automobile Company. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and is supreme counsel for the Knights of St. John. He is also con- nected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and is a member of the educational committee of the Young Men's Christian Association. Remembering his own struggles for advancement, he is interested in helping others who desire to make progress in this line of work. In his profession he is making substantial advance, actuated in all that he does by a laudable ambition that is bringing him into important connection with the legal interests of this city.
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