USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 28
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On the 25th of February, 1883, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Lamsdale and Sarah Heeter, a daughter of Sebastian and Catharine (Ernst) Heeter, and they have become the parents of three children: John F., who married Clara Perry and resides in Montgomery county ; Vernon, who has completed his edu- cation and is at home ; and Edna May, a student in school. On the 6th of July, 1906, Mr. Lamsdale was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. She had been an invalid for a number of years when she contracted the measles which caused her death within a week. Her remains were interred in Wooden cemetery.
Mr. Lamsdale is a member of the Lutheran church, has served as one of its deacons and as the superintendent of the Sunday school for twelve years, while his wife also was very prominent in all of the departments of the church work and was one of the first Sunday school teachers. A stalwart champion of educa- tion, he served for nine years on the school board, while, notwithstanding the fact that his private business affairs make heavy demands upon his time and attention, he maintains a public-spirited citizenship, being interested in all meas- ures and movements pertaining to the material, intellectual and moral develop- ment of the county. That he has been signally successful in his several business enterprises is indicated by the fact that his home is one of the finest in this part of the county and has been a favorite resort among a large circle of friends . who entertain for Mr. Lamsdale warm regard and high esteem.
JULIUS V. JONES.
Julius V. Jones, well known as one of the younger representatives of the legal profession in Dayton and also numbered among those who enlisted in the Spanish-American war, was born September 11, 1881, in the city of his present residence, and to its public-school system is indebted for the substantial start which he made in educational lines. He afterward attended the Ohio Northern University at Ada, completing the course by graduation in 1903, subsequent to which time he began reading law in the office and under the direction of Judge Oren B. Brown of this city, while in 1903 he was graduated from the Cincinnati Night Law School. In the same year he was admitted to the bar and on the Ist of January, 1904, opened a law office. A year later he formed a partner- ship with his father, the late Walter D. Jones, the connection being terminated six months later by the father's death. At that time Julius V. Jones became a member of the law firm of Frizell, Corwin & Jones, which continued until April, 1907, when Mr. Jones withdrew and has since been alone in the practice of his profession, in which he has made steady advance. His clientage is such as many an older practitioner might well envy, for it has brought him into prominent re- lations with the works of the courts.
On the 24th of September, 1907, in Dayton, Mr. Jones was married to Miss Louise Anderton, a daughter of James Anderton, and they have one daughter, Julia Mary. Mr. Jones belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and to the United Brethren church. He has been called to official service, acting as presi- dent of the board of education in 1906, while in 1907 he served as acting police
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judge. His spirit of patriotism was manifest at the time of the Spanish-American war by his enlistment on the 26th of April, 1898, as a private of Company I, Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which command he spent six months in Tampa but was not called to active duty in the field. In all matters of citizenship, how- ever, he is progressive and public spirited, and his influence in support of those who seek advancement in lines that will bring the greatest good to the greatest number.
DANIEL J. SIXSMITH.
Daniel J. Sixsmith, who for many years was one of the best known travel- ing salesmen of Dayton, is now successfully engaged in the wholesale tea and coffee business in this city. His long experience in placing goods upon the market gave him a familiarity with values and an understanding of trade con- ditions that have enabled him to meet the demand of his present business con- nections and through his well directed efforts and keen discernment he is winning substantial success.
His birth occurred in Jackson township, Montgomery county, Ohio, October 5, 1856, while his mother was visiting upon a farm in that township which be- longed to her parents. Her home, however, was in Dayton, and it was in this city that the subject of this review was reared. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Sixsmith, was a native of Belfast, Ireland, and there he was married. Subsequently he removed to England and resided for some time in the city of Manchester. He acted for a considerable period as purchasing agent in the commissary department of the British army and died in Manchester a number of years ago. The name was originally Sexsmith, which is of Scotch-Irish origin.
Samuel S. Sixsmith, the father of our subject, was born in Manchester, England, in 1820, and was an engineer in the British navy before coming to America. In early manhood, however, he made the voyage across the broad Atlantic, going first to New Orleans, but subsequently he came to Montgomery county, Ohio. He was married in this county to Miss Susanna C. Drayer, a daughter of Daniel Drayer, and unto them were born eight children, of whom five reached adult age, as follows: Elizabeth C .; Daniel J .; Samuel A., who is deceased; Lillian D .; and Katharine L., the wife of Rev. Harry O. Harbaugh. The father of this family was numbered among the valued veterans of the Civil war, enlisting as a private of Company H, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On the expiration of his term of service of one hundred days, he reenlisted in the marine corps and served until the close of the war. He was assigned to the "tin clad" gunboat, Baltic, which made many trips up and down the Mississippi and Red rivers, being frequently under fire, facing the enemy's bullets.
Following the war Mr. Sixsmith became a member of Old Guard Post, No. 23, G. A. R., and was a most valued and loyal representative of the organiza- tion. He also belonged to the old volunteer fire department in the early days of its existence and in many other ways he contributed to the city's welfare and
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progress, being intensely interested in everything relative to its upbuilding. His death occurred in 1870. He is survived by his wife, who is now in her seventy- seventh year.
At the usual age Daniel J. Sixsmith entered the public schools and further continued his education by study in Miami Commercial University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1875. He then took up commercial life, going upon the road for the firm of H. & T. Wyatt, wholesale cracker manufacturers. He continued upon the road without interruption for twenty-eight years, or until 1903, and during that time traveled for only four firms. His ability was manifest in his continuation with these different houses and he formed an ex- tensive acquaintance among his patrons, many of whom became close and lasting friends. Desiring, however, to engage in business on his own account, he left the road in 1903 and since that time has been a representative of the wholesale coffee and tea trade, in which connection he has built up a satisfactory and con- stantly growing business.
On the 29th of July, 1880, Mr. Sixsmith was married in Dayton, to Miss Mary Ellen Slentz, a daughter of David Slentz, deceased, and they have three children : Edward J., Louella Junietta and Adaline Gertrude.
Fraternally, Mr. Sixsmith is connected with the Masons, holding membership with St. John's Lodge. He also belongs to Iola Lodge of the Knights of Pythias, the Eagles and the United Commercial Travelers, No. 3. He is also a representa- tive of the Chamber of Commerce, in which connection he manifests a deep interest in everything relative to the welfare of the city. He is likewise a mem- ber of Garfield Club and of the First Reformed church. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and he served as councilman from the second ward in Dayton in 1906 and 1907. He is very widely and prominently known in military circles, having for twenty-eight years been interested in the military affairs of the government, and is now drum major of the Third Regi- ment of Ohio National Guard. He was the first captain and drill master of the famous team of Iola Lodge, No. 83, K. P., and brought this famous team to its present perfection, traveling all over the country in the interest of the work of the organization. He drilled this team for three and a half years and it won fame by reason of its notably fine work. Mr. Sixsmith is a man of genial, cordial disposition and possesses that tact which enables him to know how to approach people and place them at their ease. At the same time he is an alert, energetic and progressive man, seeking prosperity in the legitimate lines of trade, and all that he possesses is the visible evidence of his life of well directed thrift and energy.
WILLIAM McCOY KINNARD.
While the world instinctively pays deference to one whose success has been honorably gained, the fact that one is manager of an extensive business con- cern does not mean that he has strong hold upon the affections and regard of his fellowmen. That depends upon individual traits of character and arises
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from a sincere and abiding interest in those with whom one comes in contact. Mr. Kinnard was peculiarly blessed with those qualities which win and retain warm friendship and enduring esteem, and thus it was that the news of his demise brought a sense of personal bereavement to all who knew him either personally or by reputation. He had the keenest appreciation for good qualities in others, was hopeful, courteous and cordial and shed around him much of the sunshine of life.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mr. Kinnard was born in Harrisburg, on the 22d of August, 1855, and after acquiring his education in the schools of his native city he learned the trade of book-binding in Philadelphia and came to the west with a knowledge of that undertaking that would enable him to provide for his own support and give him opportunity to work upward. In 1877 he arrived in Dayton and continued to make his home in this city until his demise. He at once sought and secured employment in the book bindery of Thomas Odell, then one of the leading establishments of that character in this city. He was ambitious to engage in business on his own account, however, and when his industry and careful expenditure brought him sufficient capital he became junior partner in the firm of Troup & Kinnard, manufacturers of stationery supplies. That undertaking was successfully conducted for a time but later Mr. Kinnard sold out and became a stockholder in the firm of Crume & Sefton, manufactur- ers of paper novelties. This concern was finally merged into the Carter-Crume Company and at last became the Kinnard Manufacturing Company, with William M. Kinnard as its president. The house manufactured paper buckets and boxes for many years and enjoyed an extensive business, its output being widely shipped. As Mr. Kinnard met with prosperity in his undertaking he extended his efforts to other lines and the various enterprises with which he was asso- ciated constituted sources of substantial. profit, for his judgment was sound and he possessed excellent powers of management. One of the greatest tests of the businessman is the feeling entertained for him by those in his service. Mr. Kinnard had the fullest respect of his employecs for he ever had a pleasant and encouraging word, recognizing their ability in merited promotion when oppor- tunity offered.
On the 18th of October, 1883, Mr. Kinnard was united in marriage to Miss Grace Gebhart, a daughter of Joseph Gebhart, a prominent manufacturer of Dayton, and unto them was born one son, Joseph Ritner, who was twenty-two years of age at the time of his father's demise. Mr. Kinnard held membership in the First English Lutheran church and his life was at all times in consistent harmony with his profession. He belonged to Dayton Club, Buckeye Gun Club, the Buz Fuz Club and the Golf Club and was also an influential member of the . Board of Trade and the Chamber of Commerce. He took keen interest in everything pertaining to Dayton's improvement and upbuilding and his loyalty and citizenship were manifest in his hearty cooperation in many measures for the public good. The death of Mr. Kinnard occurred February 7, 1908, when he was fifty-two years of age. Death came after a very brief illness so that the news of his death was a distinct shock to many. Perhaps no better estimate of his character can be given than by quoting from the local papers. Onc paper said: "The fact that he counted his friends among the high and low is an indica-
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tion of his amiable and friendly disposition. He had a winning way and a certain charm that endeared many people to him." James M. Cox, the editor of the Dayton News, wrote: "He permitted each and every man to live his life as he saw fit. He condemned no one, judged no one, and if he ever uttered an unkind word against any man it is not so recorded. He was content to grant to others that which he asked for himself-the liberty of thinking as he pleased, of acting honestly and honorably, of keeping to himself, if he had any, the judgments of his fellowman. If there is trouble in the world, it was not caused by 'Billy' Kinnard. If there is in this universe a single sentence of condemnation, unjustly issued, 'Billy' Kinnard never had anything to do with its promulgation or its subsequent encouragement. And so the books are closed, the debits and credits passed on to the recording angel for final entry. No evil report, no unkind word of anything or any man in his life-such a man should live longer, and there ought to be more like him."
MICHAEL KURTZ, SR.
Michael Kurtz, Sr., an old soldier and a gardener of Harrison township. Montgomery county, has about seventy acres of land in different tracts along the Covington pike, just outside of Dayton. He was born in 1842 in Wurtem- berg, Germany, the son of Michael and Treasse Kurtz. The father was a weaver by trade, but shortly after coming to this country he purchased the farm on which he lived the remaining years of his life. The mother died in Spring- field, Ohio, very shortly after her arrival in the United States.
Michael Kurtz, Sr., the subject of the sketch, was the third in order of birth in a family of six children, of whom his sister Lena, next younger, is the only other survivor; Fred, Christ, George and an infant having passed away. He was ten years of age when his parents came to this country, and though he had started in school in Germany the greater part of his education was acquired in this county. He was a small boy, unaccustomed to English and the school methods which prevailed here, so he had to study a great deal at night, in fact obtained almost all of his education by work after the light of day had gone. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private of Company A, and served with honor and distinction under Colonel Anderson in the Army of the Cumberland throughout the Civil War.
Mr. Kurtz married Miss Margaret Stack, by whom he had three children, William F., who married a Miss Appenzeller, and is the father of three chil- dren, Grace, Dorothy and Edward; Julia, who lives at home; and Michael, Jr., who married a Miss Bordscher. Mrs. Margaret (Stack) Kurtz died and was buried in Shilo cemetery, and subsequently Mr. Kurtz married Miss Elizabeth Diehl, daughter of Carl Diehl, of Dayton. Of this second marriage there have been born four children: Bertha; Carrie, who is the wife of Bird Thealgy and the mother of one child, Charles; Hattie, the wife of Walter Farmer; and one who died in infancy. The family attend the Lutheran church.
MICHAEL KURTZ. SR.
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Mr. Kurtz is a public-spirited man, deeply interested in educational matters and willing to give generously of his time and energy for their advancement. For twenty-two years he was a member of the school board and during this time rendered valuable service to both the schools and the community, and this despite the fact that he has the care of a good sized berry farm.
JOHN WEISMANTEL.
The commercial history of Dayton would be incomplete and unsatisfactory were there failure to make reference to John Weismantel, who is today the oldest grocer, in years of continuous service, in this city. He is, moreover, a high type of the self-made man, and his record is an illustration of what may be accomplished by young men of foreign birth who are willing to dare and to do. His position among his fellow countrymen is indicated in the fact that he is now honored with the presidency of the German Pioneer Society of Dayton. A na- tive of the kingdom of Bavaria, John Weismantel was born in the town of Obers- sen11, February 4, 1843, and there lived to the age of eighteen years when he heard and heeded the call of America, which is continually drawing to it the ambitious young men of the old world who desire to enjoy the broad business opportunities afforded on this side of the Atlantic. He came direct to Dayton, where he had relatives living, and on reaching the city turned his attention to tailoring, which he followed for a year. Finding that in that employment he did not have opportunity to learn the English language as rapidly as he desired he then entered the grocery store of Jost Durst as a clerk, knowing that this posi- tion would demand his continuous use of the English tongue. He had served in that capacity for a year when on the 4th of December, 1863, he responded to a further call of the country for troops, enlisting at Dayton in the Second Kentucky Heavy Artillery. Owing to the failure to fill the battery he was trans- ferred to Company L of the Seventh Kentucky Cavalry and went to the front as a private, but rose to the rank of corporal ere he was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, September 6, 1865. He participated in the battle of Resaca, the engagement near Graysville, Georgia, with General Joseph Wheeler, and with Sheridan started for Louisville, Kentucky, in the late summer of 1865. The regiment had previously been unmounted, but was mounted at Louis- ville and thence started for Nashville, Tennessee, the first fight as a cavalry force taking place at Selma, Alabama. Later Mr. Weismantel participated in the en- gagements at Montgomery, Alabama, and Macon, Georgia, which was the last battle of any importance in which he took part. His command was one of those in pursuit of President Jefferson Davis. Later they proceeded southward to Tallahassee, Florida, and afterward returned to Louisville, Kentucky, where Mr. Weismantel was mustered out.
When the war was over he returned to Dayton and on the ist of January, 1866, opened a grocery store in this city. He has since continued in the busi- ness, and is today the oldest grocer in Dayton in years of continuons connection
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with the trade. His business ability and integrity have been constantly manifest, and his success is the well merited reward of his enterprise and diligence.
Mr. Weismantel has always been well known in local political circles. He gives his support to the democracy and served for five years, beginning in 1876, as assessor of the seventh ward. In 1880 he was appointed general appraiser for his ward, and filled the position for one term, while from 1888 to 1890 he was a member of the city council. He also served for six years on the board of workhouse directors, so continuing until the board was abolished by a change in the law. All of his public duties have been discharged with a diligence of purpose that is most commendable, his labors constituting a progressive element in the municipal welfare.
Mr. Weismantel was married in Dayton, in 1870, to Miss Dorothea L. Wuell- mer, and unto them were born twelve children, of whom two sons and a daugh- ter died in infancy, while another daughter Clara J., died in 1903 at the age of twenty-eight years. The eight surviving children are: Sophia L., the wife of Barnhart Zimmer, of Dayton; Anna C., the wife of Gustave Keck, of Los Angeles, California ; Louis A., Ida, Minnie, Henry, Albert C. and Margaret, all yet at home. Mr. Weismantel is a member of the Independent Order of Red Men and the Harugari. He belongs to the German Lutheran church and is president of the German Pioneer Society, of Dayton. He has always been an influential factor in German-American circles here, and is a splendid type of the valued citizen that the fatherland has furnished to the new world. In this country he found the opportunities which he sought and which, by the way, are always open to ambitious, energetic, young men, and in the improvement of the chances which came to him, none of which he passed heedlessly by, he has attained success and an honored name.
JOHN ANDREW COOK.
John Andrew Cook, of Mad River township, is the owner of ten acres of valuable land on the Troy pike near the Canal bridge, which he devotes to truck farming. It was on this place that his birth occurred on the 25th of January, 1853, his parents being Frederick and Catharine (Frank) Cook. The father, who was the first representative of the name to take up his abode in Montgomery county, came here from Germany in 1840 and cleared the farm on which our subject now resides. His family numbered three children, as follows: Anna, living in Dayton, who first became the wife of John Rousch and after his death gave her hand in marriage to John Beck; John Andrew, of this review; and Maggie, the wife of John Zinc, of Indiana. .
John Andrew Cook has always continued to make his home on the farm where his birth occurred and in his youthful years he attended the schools of the vicinity, also giving his father the benefit of his services in the cultivation of the home place. Since putting aside his text-books he has given his undivided attention to market gardening and his efforts in this direction have won him a gratifying and commendable measure of prosperity. As before stated, he owns
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a well improved and arable tract of land of ten acres and has erected a modern and attractive residence, it being one of the finest on the pike.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Cook chose Miss Christina Melberth, a daughter of Peter and Catharine Melberth, of Montgomery .county. Three children have been born of this union, namely: Frederick H., a farmer and machinist, who wedded Amanda Bruski, by whom he has four children, John H., Florence, Clarence and Joseph; Margaret, who has com- pleted her education and is living at home; and Elizabeth, also at home.
The different members of the family belong to the Reformed church, taking a deep and helpful interest in its work. Mr. Cook is ever loyal to the interests of the community and is a progressive citizen and public-spirited man as well as an enterprising farmer. All who know him esteem and respect him and his circle of friends in his native county is an extensive one.
MICHAEL J. OLT.
Among the energetic, enterprising and prosperous farmers of Madison town- ship, Montgomery county, who are meeting with success in agriculture and kin- dred lines, is Michael J. Olt, who was born on the farm where he now resides February 20, 1859. The Olt family had its origin in Germany, where Frederick Olt, the grandfather of Michael J., served as burgomaster of the village of Breidenbrun. He spent his entire life in the fatherland and was a very promi- nent man in his section of Germany. It was there that Michael Olt, the father of our subject was born, reared and educated. With the hope of obtaining better business opportunities in the new world than were offered in his native country, he came to the United States in 1850, settling in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in soap-making for two years. In 1852 he removed to Ohio and established himself in the butchering business. He was married in 1855 to Miss Frances Walther, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, who came to the United States in company with her sister, Margaret. In their family were the following children: Mary ; Michael J. ; John P .; William F .; Frederick C .; Louis G. : Emma F. : Lucy, deceased ; and an infant who died. Although the father conducted business enterprises in several different parts of the county, he continued to make his residence in Madison township.
Michael J. Olt acquired his education in the schools of this locality and at the same time assisted his father in his business interests. He thus carly gained experience and business training that served him in good stead when later he took up farming independently, and in addition to his agricultural labors he also became a wholesale butcher. He has been an carnest, diligent and persevering worker, and the prosperity which he now enjoys is due entirely to his energy and determination to succeed. In connection with his butchering interests he also deals extensively in cattle, and aside from his industrial enterprises he owns considerable property which he has purchased from time to time as he has prospered. Among his holdings are two hundred and twenty-five acres of finely cultivated farm land, one hundred and fifty acres located on the Liberty road
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