USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 33
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JOHN C. EBERHARDT.
John C. Eberhardt, an optometrist, whose standing in his profession is in- dicated by the fact that in 1903 he was honored with the presidency of the American Federation of Optical Societies, was born in Thuringia, Prussia, May II, 1857. His grandfather was Heinrich Eberhardt, also a native of Thuringia, Prussia. His father, Gottlieb W. Eberhardt, was born in that country in 1820 and became a mechanical engineer. In 1851 he was married at his old home to Miss Johanna Herbschleb, who was born in 1833. They came to the United States in 1866, locating in Dayton, where Mr. Eberhardt spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1895. He was a close friend and classmate of John G. Roebling, the renowned bridge builder. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb W. Eberhardt were born six children: Amalia, the wife of Christopher Hauschild; Emma, the wife of Jacob Schaeffer; Elizabeth, who married Franz Recke; Charles F .; John C .; and Gottfried W. The mother died September 15, 1891.
The youthful days of John C. Eberhardt were passed in his native land until 1866, when he was brought by his parents to America, the family home being established in Dayton. Here he attended school, continuing his studies until he reached the age of fifteen years, when he entered the manufacturing jewelry establishment of E. A. Mudge, now deceased. There he continued for four years learning the business, after which he took up the study of civil engineering and
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when qualified for work of this character engaged in the government land and railway surveys in Colorado and New Mexico from 1878 until 1881. In the following year he was assistant city engineer of Pueblo, Colorado, but in the fall of 1882 returned to Dayton and entered the employ of Best & Son, jewelers of this city, with whom he continued until 1888.
In that year he became associated with J. W. Anderton, a jeweler, under the firm style of Anderton & Eberhardt, with whom he continued until 1900, when he withdrew from the firm to devote his entire time to optical practice, to which he now gives his attention exclusively. He is a man of pronounced ability in this direction and justly merited the honor that was conferred upon him when, in 1903, he was elected to the presidency of the American Federation of Optical Societies, which has a membership of four thousand. In 1902 he also served as president of the scientific section of this association.
On the 9th of July, 1885, Mr. Eberhardt was married in Dayton, to Miss Louise Frick and unto them have been born two children, Alma Louise and James Horace. In his fraternal relations Mr. Eberhardt is a Mason and has attained high rank in the order, having taken the York and the Scottish Rite degrees. He is a past commander of Reed Commandery, No. 6, K. T .; past deputy grand master of the Scottish Rite; and is also a member of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Comus Club and to Christ Episcopal church, while his political allegiance is unfalteringly given to the republican party and since 1905 he has served as a member of the Dayton board of education, being elected to its pres- idency in 1906. He has always been greatly interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of his adopted land and has been most helpful in advancing mu- nicipal interests. In his business career he has made consecutive progress and with comprehensive knowledge of the scientific principles underlying his chosen profession he has gained high rank in his chosen field of labor.
ELWYN Z. HOFFMAN.
Elwyn Z. Hoffman, successfully carrying on general agricultural pursuits on his farm on section 17, Jefferson township, is also extensively engaged in stock- raising. It was in that township that his birth occurred on the 3d of Septem- ber, 1869, his parents being Samuel and Eleanor (Getter) Hoffman. Jacob Hoff- man, the paternal grandfather of our subject, came to this state from Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hoffman were born three sons, as follows : Stanley, John and Elwyn.
The last named was reared amid the scenes and environments of rural life and has always made his home on a farm, devoting his time and energies to the work of the fields. He now operates a well improved and productive tract of land on section 17. Jefferson township, and in connection with the tilling of the soil and the raising of crops he is engaged in stock raising on quite an extensive scale, being a breeder of Duroc Jersey hogs. In all of his business affairs he is alert and enterprising, meeting with the measure of success which always rewards earnest, persistent and well directed labor.
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On the 13th of August, 1896, Mr. Hoffman was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Kreitzer, a daughter of Manuel and Susan (Shroyer) Kreitzer. There is one child of this marriage, Everett H., born in June, 1899. The parents are de- voted and faithful members of the Lutheran church, in the work of which they are actively interested. Having spent his entire life in this county, Mr. Hoffman is well known and that he has ever merited the esteem and good will of his fellow- townsmen is indicated by his popularity, for he has a large circle of warm friends.
TRUMAN B. MILLS.
Among Montgomery county's native sons whose records have at all times been creditable to the community, is numbered Truman B. Mills of Brookville, who has at different times been identified with agricultural and banking inter- ests but is now living retired. He has accomplished much by reason of well di- rected thrift and enterprise, by sound judgment and indefatigable energy and his history proves that success is ambition's answer.
He was born in Dayton, June 27, 1847, his parents being John and Sallie (Gest) Mills, who came to Montgomery county from New Jersey. The father devoted a number of years to the profession of school teaching and afterward turned his attention to the hardware business, also dealing in bar iron, etc. He was very prominent and influential in community affairs and has left the impress of his individuality upon the progress and upbuilding of the community. In 1840 he was elected to the office of county auditor and was reelected for each succeed- ing term until he had filled the position for six terms, or until 1852. The fol- lowing year he took up his abode in Perry township and purchased a large farm near Brookville, successfully conducting it for a number of years. Later he was made cashier of the Beckel Bank and for two years remained in that posi- tion, after which he returned to the farm. In 1858 he was again called to public life in his election to the office of county sheriff, in which he served for one term. Subsequently he was made provost marshal for the third congressional district, which then included the territory now embraced within four counties, and filled this office until the close of the war. He then retired from active life and re- mained a resident of Dayton from 1858 until his death, which occurred in Jan- uary, 1883. He was always loyal in his citizenship, progressive in his work and a stanch champion of any movement that promoted the public good. He survived his wife for only a brief period, her death occurring in August, 1882.
Truman P. Mills, whose name introduces this record, was educated in the public schools of Dayton, passing through consecutive grades until he became a high school student. In May, 1864, he responded to the country's call for troops, although not yet seventeen years of age, enlisting as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio National Guards. He was with that com- mand in the ninety days' service, being assigned to garrison duty at Baltimore, Maryland. Following his return home he pursued a commercial course in the Miami Commercial College in 1865-66 and was then made deputy clerk of the
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county, but after filling that position for a short time he resigned to look after his father's farming interests and has since been a factor in active business life.
In 1873 Mr. Mills was united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Lewis, a daugh- ter of Hiram and Jane Lewis and a native of Ohio. Her father was born in New York, while her mother was a native of Montgomery county. He was a nurseryman and resided in Dayton. Later he was connected with the Cooper In- surance Company of Dayton, where he made his home until called to his final rest in 1897.
As previously stated, Mr. Mills began farming in 1873 and was continuously connected with general agricultural pursuits until April, 1898, when he came to Brookville and organized the People's Bank, of which he was president for four years. When that institution was merged with the Farmers & Merchants' Bank he became president of the new institution for two years, so continuing until Jan- uary, 1907, since which time he has lived retired. He is, however, the secretary and treasurer of the United Home Phone Company; the treasurer of the Brook- ville Bridge Works ; director of the C. A. Worshing Improvement Company ; and is connected with the Dayton View Improvement Company. While financially in- terested in these different concerns he does not take active part in their manage- ment but leaves that work to others while spending his days in the enjoyment of well earned and well merited rest.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mills have been born five children, namely: Olive Bell, the wife of Charles R. Spitler, a resident merchant of Brookville ; Nellie G., who is yet at home; Jennie W., who wedded Martin Riley, a farmer, and resides in Perry township; Ethel L., the wife of William H. Riley, a merchant of Lewis- burg, Ohio; and Susie W., the wife of William Simmons, of Brookville, who is an agent for the Ohio Electric Railway Company.
The parents are consistent members of the Brookville Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Mills has been a trustee for ten years. He is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his entire life has been actuated by high and honorable principles, being the exposition of his belief of what is right and just between man and his fellowmen. He was president of the school board in Perry township for many years.
ANNA BELLE SHOUP.
The name of Shoup has long been identified with the interests of Dayton and Ohio and in the paternal line the subject of this review is also a representative of an old pioneer family of the state, being the granddaughter of Samuel Tate, Sr., who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, in 1816. He had just been married there and with his bride started for the "far west." They started from a point near Uniontown, Pennsylvania, made their way down the Ohio river to Cincinnati and on horseback to Dayton. Here the young husband soon established a still on what is known as Tate Hill, which later became one of the leading distilleries of Ohio, its manufactured product being widely sold. Mr. Tate remained a res- ident of Dayton throughout the residue of his days, passing away at the vener-
JOEL SHOUP. SR.
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able age of eighty-three years. He had married Miss McCurty and unto them were born three sons and two daughters.
Joel O. Shoup, the father of Anna Belle, was born in Fredericksburg, Mary- land, and in early life came to Dayton. He was identified with commercial in- terests in this city as proprietor of a general store for a number of years but eventually sold out in that line and entered the banking business, organizing the firm of J. O. Shoup & Company, for the conduct of a private bank. In this undertaking he met with success and was recognized as one of the leading repre- sentatives of financial interest here. Subsequently he went to Davenport where he handled farm machinery, and his death occurred during his temporary resi- dence in that state. In early manhood he had married Miss Isabel Tate and unto them were born six children, of whom four are living: Ida, now the wife of William White, a manufacturer of Chicago; Anna Belle, who is residing in Dayton ; Clara, the wife of R. N. Connable of Baltimore; and Joel O. The father died in 1865 and was long survived by his wife, who passed away in 1890. The entire family have been life-long members of the Episcopal church and both Miss Anna Belle and Joel O. Shoup are communicants of Christ Episcopal church. The former is conducting a large catering business here and is numbered among the enterprising business women of this city, having an extensive patronage in the line which she has chosen as a life work.
CHARLES ALFRED HULL, M. D.
Dr. Charles Alfred Hull, a capable and conscientious representative of the medical fraternity, practicing in Liberty, is one of Montgomery county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Clayton on the 2d of March, 1876. He is a son of Hezekiah and Elizabeth (Kreitzer) Hull, the latter a representative of one of the pioneer families of Montgomery county. The father came from Maryland to Ohio in 1865 and conducted a tannery and later a blacksmith and wagon- making shop. He was thus identified with the industrial interests of the county for ten years and in 1875 he purchased a tract of land and turned his attention to farming, which he followed continuously until his death, which occurred in 1904. He had long survived his wife, who passed away in 1877.
Dr. Hull was reared to the occupation of farming, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His liter- ary cducation was acquired in the public schools and when twenty years of age he began teaching, which profession he followed for four years. In the mean- time he devoted much of his leisure to the study of medicine, having determined to enter upon its active practice, and in the spring of 1904 he began a course in the Illinois Medical College at Chicago. Later he continued his studies in the Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, where he was graduated in May, 1904. He then located at Liberty, where he has since engaged in general practice, and his ability has brought him a liberal patronage. He did not con- sider his medical education completed when he left college, but has continued to read and study along the line of his professional duties and he has also learned
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many valuable lessons in the school of experience. That he is widely conver- sant with the principles of the medical science is evidenced in the success which has attended his labors, making him one of the leading physicians of this part of the county.
Dr. Hull was united in marriage to Miss Della Campbell, a native of Ro- anoke, Virginia, and afterward a resident of Montgomery county. The wed- ding was celebrated on the 7th of September, 1901, and they have one child, Edison Lowell. The parents are members of the United Brethren church and Dr. Hull is a member of the Modern Woodmen Camp and of the Protective Home Circle. His life record is in contradistinction to the old adage that "a prophet is never without honor save in his own country," for in the county where he has spent his entire life he has made steady progress in his professional career and the general public acknowledges his ability and worth.
OSCAR GREENLEE.
Oscar Greenlee, an enterprising and progressive agriculturist of Harrison township, is the owner of an excellent farming property of thirty-five acres on the Philadelphia road, about three miles north of Dayton. His birth occurred on the 21st of August, 1854, in Miami county, Ohio, on the old Greenlee farm east of Pleasant Hill and a half mile south of the old Troy pike. His paternal grand- father, who came to this state from Virginia, was the first representative of the name in Miami county. The parents of our subject were David and Mary (Lang- ston) Greenlee, whose family numbered seven children, namely : David and Will- iam, who are deceased; Robert; Allen, who has also passed away; Malinda; Edith; and Oscar, of this review. The father, who successfully carried on gen- eral farming throughout his active business career, lost his eyesight about the time of his retirement.
Oscar Greenlee obtained his education in the schools of his native county and subsequently took up his abode in Montgomery county. Since starting out in business life for himself he has devoted his time and energies to general agricul- tural pursuits and, as stated above, is now the owner of a rich and productive tract of land of thirty-five acres in Harrison township. The buildings on the place include a new and up-to-date residence and a substantial and commodious barn and in fact the property is lacking in none of the equipments and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. Diligent, persevering and industrious, the success which has attended his labors is richly merited and he is now numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of the community.
On the 14th of April, 1878, Mr. Greenlee was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth McCleary, a daughter of Horace and Margaret (Woodard) Mc- Cleary. Her father spent his entire life on the farm where he was born and be- came widely recognized as a prominent agriculturist. He was elected to various positions of public trust and responsibility and in the offices of township treasurer, pike director and township supervisor discharged his duties with marked prompt- ness and capability. He was likewise a valued member of the Shiloh Christian
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church, doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. In his family were seven children, as follows: Mary J. and Belle, both of whom are deceased; Susan : William; George; Mrs. Greenlee; and Davis. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Greenlee have been born the following children: Daisy, who has passed away ; Carl, Jesse and Grover, all of whom reside in the west; Ethel, who has completed her education and now lives at home with her parents; Shirley, a high school student; and Chester, who is also attending school.
For the past twenty years Mr. Greenlee has acted as treasurer and trustee of the Shiloh church and is deeply interested in the work for the moral progress and uplifting of the community. Both he and his wife are highly esteemed through- out the locality where they reside and no man is more worthy the respect of his associates than he whose name introduces this record.
EDWIN J. BROWN.
Edwin J. Brown, superintendent of instruction in Dayton, his position being indicative of the high rank which he holds in educational circles, was born in this city, February 1, 1871, and his life record seems in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country. His pa- ternal grandfather, who was a native of Pennsylvania, spent his last days in Iowa. The family were connected with the Society of Friends or Quakers.
David G. Brown, the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania in 1827 and came to Dayton in 1868. For years he was engaged in the wholesale grocery business and later went upon the road as a commercial traveler. He served for a time as a member of the board of education and was also one of the workhouse trustees of Dayton, being recognized as a prominent and influential citizen during the period of his residence here. He died in Buffalo, New York, in 1887. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Brown, was a daughter of Dr. John D. Mills. She was a woman of real culture, of the happiest disposition and the high- est nobility of character, and was in every sense "a mother to her boys."
Professor E .. J. Brown attended the first pay kindergarten in Dayton and also spent one term in a country school near town. At the usual age he entered the public schools, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from ยท the Central high school with special honors with the class of 1890. He afterward attended the Dayton Normal School and was the first male graduate of that in- stitution, completing the course there in 1891. While a student and later, for ten years in all, he did correspondent work on the Dayton News. He also spent several summers at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
Entering upon the profession of teaching, Mr. Brown was assigned to a posi- tion in the Patterson school of Dayton in September, 1891, and there taught for a year. He was then transferred to the Willard school, while two and a half years later he was made assistant principal of the Irving school. Further advance- ment came to him when he was appointed principal of the Weaver school, which under his management became a model district school. He continued his work there until January 6, 1908, when he became a member of the board of educa-
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tion, having been elected from the fifth ward the preceding November. He filled that position until August, 1908, when he was chosen superintendent of instruction of the Dayton schools. Thus he made continuous advancement, his ability win- ning him recognition that has resulted in promotion from time to time until he now occupies a position of much more than local distinction in the ranks of the representatives of public instruction in Ohio.
On the 3d of July, 1892, in Dayton Professor Brown was united in marriage to Miss Minnie A. Miller, a daughter of Dr. J. W. Miller, deceased. They now have four children : Lincoln M., D. Grant, Martha E. and Elizabeth J.
In his political views Professor Brown is a republican, interested in the suc- cess of the party because of a belief in its principles and yet without desire for po- litical preferment. His fraternal relations have brought him into connection with various societies. He is now a chapter and Scottish Rite Mason, belongs to the subordinate lodge, the encampment and the Rebekah lodge of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Tribe of Ben Hur. He is a trustee of the Broadway Methodist Episcopal church and is in- terested in all those movements, measures and influences which are for the bet- terment of his city and its people. He not only holds to high ideals in his pro- fession but in citizenship as well, and his honorable; upright manhood has gained him an enviable position in the regard of his fellow townsmen.
JOHN S. BECK, M. D.
Dr. John S. Beck is a distinguished physician of Dayton whose professional labors have been of a practical character. He has stood for high ideals in all professional service and at the same time what he has attained represents the fit utilization of the innate powers which are his. He has always worked upon the theory that it is the duty of the physician to prevent as well as to check disease and to this end he has labored untiringly and effectively to bring about condi- tions that will advance the general health average by making individuals cog- nizant of what will prevent illness. His work has indeed been of a most credit- able and valuable character and entitles him to the gratitude and respect of his fellowmen.
The birthplace of Dr. Beck was a farm three miles west of Lancaster and the date of his nativity was May 19, 1842. His father, Jacob Beck, was born in Germany in 1804 and was only a year and a half old when his parents brought their family to the new world. He lived to a very venerable age, passing away in his ninety-fifth year. In early life he followed the blacksmith's trade, giving up work of that character when elected to the position of treasurer of Fairfield county. His first term's service received strong endorsement in his reelection, and after he had capably filled the office for two terms he took up the occupa- tion of farming three miles west of Lancaster, and as the years passed by he added to his possessions until he became the owner of seven hundred acres of valuable land in one body. He was widely known and honored for his business integrity and thorough reliability under all conditions, being frequently called
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upon to act as administrator of many estates. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Susan Kerns, a daughter of Jacob Kerns, one of the early settlers of Ohio. Their sons and daughters numbered seven: Mary A., the wife of Zebulon Peters, who resides two miles west of Lancaster ; George W., who follows farming near Lancaster ; Jacob K., an agriculturist of the same locality ; Henry S., president of the Pierce National Bank of Pierce, Nebraska ; Joseph, a Lutheran minister; John S .; and Clara, the deceased wife of William Huges.
Dr. Beck was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, no especial event occurring to vary the routine of the work of the fields for him until he was sixteen years of age. He had in the meantime pursued his education in the district schools and when he reached the age of sixteen his father sent him and his brother Joseph to the Capital University at Columbus, where he matriculated as a member of the freshman class. There he pursued his studies until he had entered upon the work of the senior year ..
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