USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 26
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Somewhat active in public affairs, he is a member of the board of deputy state supervisors of elections and served on the city board of election in 1903. He is quite active in municipal affairs, cooperating in many movements which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride. Everything relative to the welfare and upbuilding of the city awakens his interest and if his judgment sanctions a movement he gives to it his earnest endorsement and cooperation. His political
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allegiance has always been given to the democracy since age conferred upon him the right of franchise.
On the 30th of June, 1891, Mr. Bundenthal was united in marriage, in Day- ton, to Miss Rosa A. Selz, a daughter of Charles Selz of this city. They have many friends here and their attractive home is a most hospitable one. Frater- nally, Mr. Bundenthal is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, while his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. He has never sought to establish himself elsewhere than in his native city where his life his- tory is an open book that all may read. Starting out at an early age, he has worked steadily upward in his business undertakings, reaching a place of afflu- ence by reason of his unremitting diligence and determined purpose.
CHARLES H. LUKASWITZ.
Charles H. Lukaswitz, known in the commercial interests of Dayton as president of The Baker Company, wholesale liquor dealers, was born in this city June 30, 1873, and was here reared and educated. He was provided with liberal advantages for intellectual progress and is a graduate of St. Mary's Institute of the class of 1891 and also from Miami Commercial College of Dayton of the class of 1893. On completing the latter course he became an employe of The Baker Company and that he was trustworthy, diligent and efficient is indicated by the fact that through successive promotions from time to time he has reached his present position at the head of the enterprise, having been elected to the presidency in 1895. He is therefore giving his energies at the present time to the administration of the affairs of the company and in the control and expan- sion of the trade he displays strong business qualities and forceful enterprise.
On the 10th of July, 1903, in Dayton, Mr. Lukaswitz was married to Miss Ida S. Sherer, a daughter of M. J. Sherer, an architect. He is connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and has attained substantial success in business through close application and intelligently directed effort that have brought him from a comparatively humble position to a place in which he con- trols extensive trade interests.
LEE WARREN JAMES.
Lee Warren James, a member of the well known law firm of Rowe, Shuey, Mathews & James, of Dayton, does not need introduction to the readers of this volume, for the firm occupies a foremost place in the ranks of the legal fraternity, enjoying the most extensive and important clientage. Mr. James was born in Montgomery county, September 12, 1877, upon the home farm where his parents continued to reside until 1881. In that year they removed to Dayton, so that he was largely reared in this city. At the usual age he was sent as a pupil to the public schools and, mastering the different branches that constituted the curricu-
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lum, he completed the course by graduation from the Steele high school with the class of 1896. Already he had determind upon the practice of law as a life work, and to this end began studying in the office and under the direction of O. M. Gott- schall. His preliminary reading was thorough and enabled him to successfully pass the required examination for admission to the bar in June, 1900. In January of that year he had entered the law office of Rowe & Shuey, the partners being the first mentioned members of the present law firm. Mr. James continued in the office as assistant in their law practice until April 1, 1907, when his ability and merit led to his admission to the firm under the style of Rowe, Shuey, Mathews & James. Their law business is of the most important character, covering various departments of practice in which the different members of the firm are well versed. Mr. James is proving himself worthy of the position which was accorded him on his admission to the bar and, diligent and careful in the preparation of cases, he is continually promoting his efficiency through experience and further study.
On the 30th of April, 1901, Mr. James was married in Dayton to Miss N. Edith Tyrrell, and they have two sons, Tom Warren and Robert Lee. He gives his political support to the democratic party and is active in politics, but without desire for office as a reward for party fealty.
JAMES HAYS, M. D.
With ability that is the outcome of a wise use of his time and talents and of a thorough mastery of scientific principles in the line of his profession, Dr. James Hays now occupies a distinguished position as representative of the medi- cal fraternity of Dayton. He was born on a farm in Brown county, Ohio, in 1838, and was there reared to the age of seventeen years, alternating his time between the work of the fields and the duties of the school-room as he pursued his studies in the district school. Determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work he afterward entered the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was graduated in 1860. He then located for practice in Russellville, Ohio, where he remained for six years and for five years he was a member of the medical fraternity at Casstown, Ohio, but seeking a broader field of labor he came to Dayton in 1871 and has since practiced continuously in this city. His ability has brought him into prominent professional relations and his close con- formity to a high standard of professional ethics has won him the high esteem of his brethren of the medical fraternity.
Dr. Hays was married first in Russellville, Ohio, in 1861, to Miss Sarah Wil- kins, who died in Dayton in 1885. In 1887 he was again married, his second union being with Jennie M. Beale. Dr. Hays had two children by his first mar- riage, of whom one daughter died in infancy. The son, Doremus A. Hays, survives, and is now located in Evanston, Illinois. He was born in 1864 and was graduated from the Central high-school of Dayton, while later he pursued a pre- paratory course in Roberts school of this city. His more specifically literary training was obtained in Ohio Wesleyan College of Delaware, Ohio, from which
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he was graduated in 1889. He is now professor of theology at Garrett Theo- logical Seminary at Evanston, Illinois. After leaving the Ohio Wesleyan Col- lege at Delaware he entered the theological department of the Boston Univer- sity, from which he was graduated on the completion of the regular course and he also spent a year in Leipsic. He was married in 1889 at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, to Miss Hester Juvenal, and they have one son, James J., who is now (1909) a student in Harvard University.
Dr. Hays is a man whom to know is to respect and esteem. His life has been guided by high principles and actuated by worthy motives. Strictly temperate at all times and a believer in the cause of temperance, he gives his political allegiance to the prohibition party. His religious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the Raper Methodist Episcopal church of Dayton and he is now serv- ing on the official board. In professional connections he is a member of the National Eclectic Medical Society. the State Eclectic Medical Society, and at the present writing, in 1909, is the president of Montgomery County Eclectic Society. He has held to high ideals in all private, public and professional re- lations and well merits the unqualified honor and respect which are given him.
THOMAS M. PEXTON.
Thomas M. Pexton, vice president of the West Side Building & Loan Com- pany, of Dayton, in which connection his labors are an effective force in the improvement and upbuilding of the city, was born in Westmoreland, in central New York, July 6, 1846, and in the paternal line is of English descent. His great-grandfather was a gentleman farmer of England and a man of consider- able wealth. His grandfather, John Pexton, was born in that country in the eighteenth century and came to America early in the nineteenth century, settling in Westmoreland, New York. where he spent his remaining days. Thomas Pexton, the father of our subject, was likewise a native of England and accom- panied his parents on their emigration to the new world, the family home being established in Westmoreland, Oneida county, New York. There he was reared and spent his remaining days. In early life he learned the butcher's trade, which he followed for a long period. He married Miss Ann Wishart, a native of England, and they became the parents of five sons and three daughters.
Thomas M. Pexton, whose name introduces this review, remained in the place of his nativity until twenty-five years of age, when, thinking, that he might have better business opportunities at a point further west, he removed to Crest- line, Ohio, and afterward spent a few months in Marietta, this state. The year 1872 witnessed his arrival in Dayton and he entered the Dayton Malleable Iron Company as a molder. He was thus employed for about twelve or thirteen years, rising to the position of foreman, in which capacity he served for about eight years. On the expiration of that period he entered the services of the Ohio Rake Company as foreman of the foundry and also became one of the stockholders of the company. For nineteen years he was closely associated with that enterprise as foreman of the foundry and his capable control of the work
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THOMAS M. PENTON
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done in the shops was an important factor in the success of the business. In 1903 he left that position upon his election to the board of public service, for which office he was chosen as the republican candidate. That he served capably during his first term is indicated by the fact that he was re-elected for a second term. Since his retirement from the office he has devoted his attention to various interests and is now vice president of the West Side Building & Loan Company.
Mr. Pexton was married in Iowa Falls, Iowa, to Miss Elizabeth Haydock, and they are well known socially in Dayton, where they have many warm friends. Mr. Pexton belongs to the Fourth Presbyterian church, of which he is a director. He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias. His life has been one of intense activity since he started out on his own account and through the passing years he has eagerly availed himself of every opportunity for working his way upward, recognizing the fact that success lies in the individual and not in his environment.
JAMES B. SHANNON.
James B. Shannon is conducting a general mercantile establishment in West Carrollton, this being the largest general store in Montgomery county. Since becoming connected with the enterprise Mr. Shannon has continually extended its scope, conducting his affairs along modern business lines and accomplishing substantial results. One of Pennsylvania's native sons, he was born in Lewiston, Mifflin county, April 19, 1852, his parents being John and Angeline ( Major) Shannon. The paternal grandparents were John and Elizabeth Shannon, the latter more commonly known as Betsy. John and Angeline Shannon were both natives of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and the father was a liveryman, who became one of the prominent citizens of Lewiston, Pennsylvania. He had three children : Isaac, who was born of his first marriage ; and James and Mary, who were children of the second marriage. Mrs. Angeline Shannon was also married twice and by her second husband, Robert Burns, had a family of three children: Robert W., Martha and Nannie J.
James B. Shannon acquired his education in the schools of his native town and while still a resident of Pennsylvania carried on general farming. He be- came one of the land owners of that state and remained there until the Ist of June, 1889, when his possessions were all swept away through the ever memorable flood of that date. He was, therefore, compelled to make a new start in the world and with his family he traveled westward to Montgomery county, Ohio, where he again resumed the occupation of farming and within a few years he had gained a comfortable competence and after moving to Ohio he became identified with mercantile pursuits. The store of which he is now proprietor was organized in March, 1894, under the name of the Friend Mercantile Com- pany, of which Mr. Shannon became general manager. In 1902 he purchased the store and has since been sole owner. He carries a large and well selected line of goods and does everything in his power to place these before the public in an attractive line. His tasteful arrangement of his store, his reasonable prices
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and his fair dealing have brought to him a constantly increasing patronage and his business is now very gratifying and desirable.
On the 22d of September, 1876, Mr. Shannon was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Smoker, a daughter of Felix and Margaret (Kiefer) Smoker. They had one child, Robert W., who died in infancy. Mr. Shannon socially is con- nected with the Odd Fellows, belonging to West Carrollton Lodge. Although a democrat in politics, he often votes independent of party ties, supporting the men whom he believes best qualified for office. He has acceptably served as school director for ten years and filled the office of treasurer of West Carrollton the same length of time. His energies, however, are largely concentrated upon his business affairs and in connection with general merchandising he is now asso- ciated with the La Sieba Cigar Company and the West Carrollton Real Estate Association. He is likewise the president of the Home Savings & Building Asso- ciation and he has the Bell Telephone Exchange in the store. He is a man of resolute spirit who carries forward to successful completion whatever he under- takes. He allows no obstacles to bar his path if they can be overcome by per- sistent and earnest effort and his straightforward business methods have gained his a firm hold upon the trust and regard of his fellow citizens.
JACOB D. MOSKOWITZ.
Among the men of foreign birth who have become important factors in the business life an development of Dayton is numbered Jacob D. Moskowitz, a man of strength of character and well defined purpose who has sought his success in the legitimate lines of trade and has won prosperity through the careful and wise use of his opportunities. He is today president of the North Dayton Store Com- pany, an important position to which he has attained, not by reason of any for- tunate combination of circumstances or because his environment has been pe- culiarly favorable, but because he has realized that indefatigable labor is the basis of all desirable prosperity. A native of Hungary, he was born on the 12th of March, 1867, and came to America, July 1, 1884, at the age of seventeen years, locating in Maine. Subsequently he removed to Pennsylvania but afterward returned to the Pine Tree state and then went to different places, being located at various points until 1899, when he came to Dayton. Here he has remained continuously since and his worth is widely acknowledged as a factor in the busi- ness life of the city. He first entered the employ of the Dayton Malleable Iron Company, with which he remained for about seven years in charge of foreign labor. He was then with the Barney & Smith Car Company in the same capacity and still acts in that position to the company. In the meantime he has extended his efforts to other lines, his business ability and initiative spirit being mani- fest thereby. He founded the North Dayton Colony in 1896 and is still at its head, while in 1907 on the organization of the North Dayton Store Company he was made its president. His business ability is pronounced and has led him into important relations. He allows no obstacles to brook his path that can be
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overcome by determined energy and as the years have gone by he has achieved success that is most creditable.
In 1891 Mr. Moskowitz was married, at Deshler, Ohio, to Miss Sallie Baer, and they have four children, Jeanette, Leah, Josephine, Virginia Emma and Simon Benjamin. Mr. Moskowitz belongs to the Jewish temple. He votes with the republican party, but has no aspiration for office. His business interests have fully claimed his time and attention since he came to American as a young man at the age of seventeen years. He had no friends to assist him nor did he depend upon any outside aid or influence but persistently and energetically sought his success, knowing that in time earnest and well directed effort can accomplish any task. His record should serve to inspire and encourage other young men of foreign birth who seek the opportunities of the new world. He has won his advancement in honorable lines and is now well known in the business circles of the city.
IRA CRAWFORD.
Ira Crawford, attorney at law of Dayton, his native city, was born January 28, 1867. He was a grandson of Archibald Crawford and son of Zeba and Anna M. (Seely) Crawford, of Dayton. The father was born in this city in 1833 and was prominently known in business circles, serving for a decade as cashier of the Fourth National Bank, which position he occupied until two years prior to his death, which occurred in 1900. His widow survived him until De- cember, 1907. The family of this worthy couple numbered eight children, but six died in infancy, the surviving members being Ira and Eva Crawford.
Reared in the paternal home, Ira Crawford mastered the branches that con- stituted the public-school curriculum in Dayton, and then entered Denison Uni- versity, at Granville, Ohio, from which he was graduated as an alumnus of 1888. He then returned to Dayton and in 1891 entered the Ohio State University, at Columbus, for the study of law, being graduated from the law department with. the class of 1893. Immediately afterward he returned to his native city and the same year became a member of the law firm of Gottschall, Brown & Craw- ford, which relation was maintained until 1896, when Mr. Brown went upon the bench. The firm then continued at Gottschall & Crawford until 1898, when L. F. Lembert and W. S. McConnaughey entered the firm. This association was dissolved December 31, 1902, since which time Mr. Crawford has practiced alone and his ability is attested in the extensive clientage accorded him. His power as a lawyer lies not so much in brilliant flights of oratory as in his keen logic and clear utterances, together with an accurate and correct application of legal prin- ciples. He never neglects to give a thorough preparation, and he enjoys the respect of his professional brethren as well as the general public by reason of his close conformity to professional ethics.
In 1894 Mr. Crawford was married, in Dayton, to Miss Erminie P. Gilbert, a daughter of Philip E. Gilbert, and they have one son, Ira, born in 1904. Mr. Crawford belongs to the Beta Theta Phi and to the Linden Avenue Baptist
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church. He endorses republican principles at the polls but is not an active worker in party ranks. His influence, however, is always found on the side of municipal progress and of those movements which tend to uplift the individual as well as advance the interests of the community.
GEORGE V. NAUERTH.
George V. Nauerth, of Harrison township, Montgomery county, Ohio, who has his home on Catalpa drive, is one of Dayton's prominent attorneys and was at one time in partnership with Thomas O. Lowe. Though his name is not as widely known as that of the Globe-Wernicke Company which he organized, the results of the patents he held in connection with this firm have found a re- ception throughout the whole country. He is a man, also, with an enviable breadth of culture, even for one of his profession, and the law is generally held to be the resort of men with minds keen for the attainment of the niceties of thought which only an education of breadth and depth can impart.
George V. Nauerth is the son of John and Louisia Nauerth. The father came from Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, to Cincinnati in 1831. In that city he received his education, learned the baker's trade and started in the bakery business, but later he came to Dayton, where he pursued his trade for a time and then opened up a wholesale grocery house in a building opposite the city hall. In this build- ing he conducted his operations until his death in 1881. His father, Peter Nauerth, came to this country after his son had been here some time. He was a retired farmer and passed the remaining days of his life with his son.
George V. Nauerth was born in Dayton, January 29, 1844, the second son in a family of eight children. His older brother, John Nauerth, lives in Dayton. His sister, Louise E., is the wife of George W. Stieg, now living in Kansas City. Georgiana married Frederick Lang. Caroline is the wife of David B. Martin, general passenger manager of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, living in Baltimore.
Mr. Nauerth received his early education in the schools of Dayton, and then went to Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. His sojourn here was one of honor ; he was one of the youngest students when he entered, being only fifteen years old, and he was graduated with second honors in his class. In 1862 he entered the University of Heidelberg, where he took a course in Roman law, and the next year, that of 1863-64, he attended the University of Paris, studying Roman law and the code of Napoleon. From there he went to the Cincinnati Law School, where he was graduated and admitted to the bar. In 1865 he re- turned to the city of his birth, where he took up the practice of his profession, and four years subsequently was elected prosecuting attorney for Montgomery county, in which capacity he served two years. In 1881 he gave up the practice of law and went to Cincinnati, where he established the Globe-Wernicke Com- pany, being the founder of the firm and president for five years and the holder of the patents. Ten years later, in 1891, he went to Chicago, devoting his talents and qualifications to the intricacies of patent law. After six years, however, he re-
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turned to Dayton and has again built up a large and remunerative practice. His keen mind, business acumen and wide experience have brought Mr. Nauerth lavish returns from a profession that is often spoken of as being overcrowded and won for him room on the upper rounds of the ladder of sucecss.
In 1879 Mr. Nauerth was united in marriage to Miss Emma Seifert, daugh- ter of Charles and Sophia (Summer) Seifert. Charles Seifert was born in Alder- burg, Saxony, and was educated in Germany. He came to this country in his thirty-fifth year and established his business, that of a leather merchant, first in Frederick City, Maryland, and later in Springfield, Ohio, where he became a prominent citizen. It was in this latter city that he died. Of his ten children Mrs. Nauerth was the third, Alfred and Frank Seifert being her elder brothers. Mr. and Mrs. Nauerth attend and support the Methodist church of Dayton.
JAMES M. COX.
Selling newspapers and assisting in shaping national legislation constitute the two extremes in the life of the Hon. James M. Cox, now representing Dayton in congress. He is also widely known in the field of journalism as the publisher and proprietor of the Dayton News and the Springfield News. He was born in Jacksonburg, Butler county, Ohio, on the 31st of March, 1870, a son of Gil- bert and Eliza Cox. In the paternal line he comes of English ancestry, while through the maternal line he inherits the sturdy traits of the German race. On both sides he comes of a family noted for longevity as the average age of his four grandparents was approximately ninety years.
His youth was passed on the home farm, his time being divided between the work of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and such tasks as were assigned him by parental authority. He pursued his early education in the dis- trict school at Jacksonburg, Ohio, and later his love of literature became the dominant force in his life and he entered the high school at Amanda, Butler county, Ohio. Moreover, he has been an apt student in the more difficult school of experience, early learning to correctly judge his own capacities and those of the people and circumstances that make up life's contacts and experiences. The joy that is experienced in earning one's first dollar came to him in selling newspapers and his inquiring turn of mind convinced him that he would find the making of the paper an interesting process. Accordingly he secured a situation in a printing office and began learning the trade, which he later abandoned, however, to take up the work of teaching in the country schools. Subsequently he returned to the newspaper field, becoming a reporter at Middletown, Ohio, and his talents soon won him a position on the editorial staff of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Alert and enterprising, with a mind receptive and retentive, mani- festing morcover that priceless quality of knowing when to speak and when to keep silent, the value of his services were recognized and in 1894 he accom- panied the Hon. Paul J. Sorg to the fifty-third congress to act as his secretary. With the keen interest that he has always manifested in every vital question he began a mental investigation of the issues before the national legislative body
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