USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103
The country had become involved in Civil war, however, and he could no longer content himself to remain at his studies, so in 1862 he returned to his father's home in Lancaster, Ohio, and on the 20th of August of that year joined the boys in blue of Company D, Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, a regiment being then organized at Circleville, Ohio. This command was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, with which Dr. Beck saw active service throughout the war, participating in all the engagements in which his regiment took part from August, 1862, until June, 1865, including the military movements from Louisville, Kentucky, to Atlanta, Georgia. On the 13th of June he was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, having in the meantime, by meritorious conduct and unfaltering valor, won promotion to the rank of first lieutenant.
Soon after his return home Dr. Beck thoughtfully considered the question of a life work and in August took up the definite plan of preparing for the practice of medicine. Accordingly he entered the University of Pennsylvania, complet- ing the course in the medical department in the spring of 1868. He located in Miamisburg, Montgomery county, in the spring of 1869 but in December, 1870, removed to Dayton, where he has now continued in the practice of his profes- sion for almost four decades. His ability is widely acknowledged and the suc- cess which attends his efforts attests his thorough knowledge of the principles of medicine and surgery.
Aside from private practice Dr. Beck has done much active and valuable work of a professional nature. For many years he was a member of the United States pension board in Dayton, serving through President Cleveland's admin- istration by the endorsement and courtesy of the influential democrats of the county. He has since 1872 been a member of the pension board of the National Military Home of Ohio and has served for one term as a member of the board of health, while twice he has been chosen physician of the county jail. He is one of the most prominent and valued members of the Montgomery County Medical Society, of which he has four times been honored with the presidency. He is now treasurer of the milk commission of this society and chairman of the tuberculosis committee. It was he who introduced into the society the measures which were adopted and resulted in the organization of the milk commission,
352
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
the medical inspection of the public schools of Dayton, and the appointment of a tuberculosis committee in the society with a view to the organization of a tuberculosis society in Montgomery county. This society has since been organ- ized and is doing a splendid work to prevent the spread of the white plague, with the Hon. Oren B. Brown, judge of the common pleas court, as its president. Dr. Beck certainly deserves great credit for what he has done in these connec- tions. He has put forth most earnest effort to prevent the spread of disease through the adoption of sanitary and health measures and through the dissemi- nation of knowledge pertaining to health laws. He has recently been selected as the trustee from the county for the new district tuberculosis hospital which is soon to be built and when completed will be a credit to the people of the state.
Dr. Beck has for many years been a member of the Auxiliary Legislative Committee of the Ohio State Medical Society and in this connection his labors have also been far-reaching and effective. He is a member of the Mississippi Valley Medical Society and the American Medical Association and was the third delegate from Ohio to the Convention that met in Atlantic City in 1904. He was also a delegate from Montgomery county to the ninth international med- ical convention which met in Washington, D. C., in 1887. For seven years he served as visiting physician to St. Elizabeth Hospital but, resigned on account of his important and growing private practice, after which he was given a posi- tion on the consulting staff. He was one of the building committe on the erec- tion of the Deaconess Hospital of Dayton, and in this connection did a work the beneficial influences of which are today strongly felt. He was made chief of staff by the board of trustees of this hospital and in this work has secured the adoption of many practical improvements which are a source of direct worth in its work. He has held this position for nineteen years.
Dr. Beck was married to Miss Sarah A. Work, a daughter of John and Mary (Webb) Work, of Lancaster, Ohio. There are two daughters of this marriage: Clara Lusetta, who was married in Dayton in 1897 to Edward W. Curtis, of Chicago; and Mary Ann Robert, who was married in Dayton to Dr. Harry H. Hatcher, of this city. Dr. Beck is no less esteemed for his professional service than for his personal worth, receiving the respect and honor which the world instinctively pays to the man whose life has been well spent and whose efforts have been fruitful of good.
HARVEY V. RIKE.
Harvey V. Rike is conducting a general mercantile store at Fort McKinley in which position he succeeds J. N. Reed. He was born in Butler county, Ohio, on the 28th of December, 1874, and was a son of Levi and Margaret (Puls) Rike. The father was a son of Adam and Sarah (Hardin) Rike. The family was established in America in colonial days and Adam Rike came from Hagers- town, Maryland, to Montgomery county, casting in his lot with the pioneer residents of this part of the state. Comparatively few settlements had been made in this district when he took up his abode here to aid in reclaiming the
H. V. RIKE
355
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
region from the red men, that it might be converted, through the process of civili- zation and improvement, into its present high state of cultivation. He made the journey from his old home to Montgomery county by wagon, for it was long prior to the period of railroads, and in fact comparatively few wagon roads had been laid out, many of the highways being little more than trails. On reach- ing his destination he resolutely set himself to the task of cutting down the trees and clearing away the forest that he might cultivate a farm in the midst of the wilderness. He was among those who aided in laying broad and deep the foun- dation upon which the present prosperity of the county has been builded. His son, the Rev. Levi Rike, was a minister of the German Reformed church, very prominent in the work of that denomination, to which he gave his time and energies with great zeal. He was a man of liberal education and strong intel- lectual force and not only delivered forceful and instructive sermons but also wrote considerable poetry. Unto him and his wife were born five children : Eoline Arabella, deceased; David Prugh McClelland, who is a graduate of Heidel- burg College, of Ohio; Bert Venson, deceased ; Bertha, the wife of Elmer Girard, of Miamisburg, by whom she has one child, Edith Margaret ; and Harvey V.
The last named acquired his education in the public schools supplemented by a commercial course which he pursued in Middletown, where he was graduated. Throughout his entire life he has been connected with mercantile pursuits, entering this line of business when sixteen years of age as a clerk. Gradually he has worked his way upward until he is now proprietor of an excellent establishment in which he enjoys a good trade, being the owner of a general mercantile store at Fort McKinley. He is a self-made man who has depended upon his own resources from a comparatively early age and has ever realized that persistency of purpose and diligence are the basis of all honorable success. Since coming into possession of his present business, about a year ago, he has improved both the stock and store and now has a well appointed establishment.
Mr. Rike belongs to the Junior Order of American Mechanics and to the Reformed church. His mother is still living and acts as his housekeeper at Fort Mckinley. She, too, is identified with the church and is prominent in its work.
M. B. FLOYD, M. D.
Dr. M. B. Floyd, city bacteriologist of Dayton, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1877 and in 1879 was brought to Dayton by his parents. D. Calvin Floyd, his father, was a soldier of the Fourth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry and served for four years in defense of the Union cause. He remained for a long period a resident of this city and died in November, 1905.
Reared in Dayton, Dr. Floyd entered the public schools at the usual age and mastered the work in consecutive grades until he was graduated from the Steele high school with the class of 1898. A review of the field of business, with the opportunities offered in each line, led him to the conclusion that he would find the practice of medicine congenial and, he hoped, profitable. He therefore began preparation for the profession and in 1903 was graduated in
356
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
medicine at the University of Michigan, after which he supplemented his theo- retical training by broad practical experience through sixteen months' service as house physician in the hospital at Ann Arbor. There is no better equipment for general practice than hospital service, as it is of most varied character and must perforce bring out the latent talent and ability and develop the professional judg- ment of the practitioner.
In the fall of 1904 Dr. Floyd returned to Dayton and entered upon his chosen life work here. He now has a good private practice, with office and residence at No. 224 North Main street, and in 1906 he was appointed to his present position as city bacteriologist, continuing in the office to the present time. He has estab- lished a modern laboratory in Dayton, well equipped in every particular for do- ing scientific work in analysis and experiment. In all things Dr. Floyd keeps in touch with the progress of the profession through investigation and research and through the interchange of thought and experience coming to him through his membership in the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical So- ciety, the Montgomery County Medical Society and the Dayton Academy of Medicine.
In April, 1898, Dr. Floyd enlisted at Columbus in the United States army hos- pital corps for the Spanish-American war and was on active duty for six months in the general hospital at Chickamauga, Tennessee. He belongs to the Lambda Sigma, a college fraternity, and to the Masonic order, while his political allegi- ance is given to the republican party. He is interested in the political questions and situation of the country but his chief attention is given to his profession, in which he is making substantial progress.
EDGAR H. BRANDENBURG.
Edgar H. Brandenburg is one of the leading citizens of Trotwood, and as a manufacturer of closed spring wagons is recognized as a factor in the industrial development and upbuilding of the community. A native of Ohio, his birth oc- curred July 1, 1853, in Vandalia, his parents being David and Rhoda (Hutchins) Brandenburg. The family are old settlers of Ohio, the grandparents, Jacob and Saloma Brandenburg, having removed to this state from Frederick county, Mary- land, while the land was still in an uncultivated condition. Upon his arrival here Jacob Brandenburg purchased the property upon which the State Hospital now stands, which then consisted of one hundred and sixty acres. Here, after clearing the land, he built a cabin on the top of the hill for himself and family. David Brandenburg, his son and the father of our subject, was born in Butler town- ship, Montgomery county, on a farm. He was a carriage manufacturer, having learned the trade under the direction of a distant relative in Sulphur Grove, Ohio, and was one of the oldest manufacturers in this line in the county, having carried on his business for about fifty years in Vandalia, Ohio.
Edgar H. Brandenburg received a good education in the common schools of Vandalia and assisted in his father's shop, where he acquired a thorough knowl- edge of the business. He continued in his father's employ until the year 1890,
357
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
when he removed to Trotwood, Madison township, where he established him- self in the closed market wagon manufacturing business in connection with black- smithing and general repair work. He has fully realized the value of unremitting energy and perseverance, and these have proven salient qualities in his success, for he stands today as one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Trot- wood, while his business enterprise ranks among the leading industries of the city.
Mr. Brandenburg was married October 19, 1880, to Caroline Jordon, a daugh- ter of N. W. and Esther (Scott) Jordon, the former a very prominent farmer of Warren county, Ohio. Unto them were born three children, all of whom are now deceased: Foster and Hettie who died in infancy; and Blanch. Mr. and Mrs. Brandenburg reside in a large two-story house adjacent to the factory.
Mr. Brandenburg is a member of the United Brethren church, of which he was also a prominent member while living in Vandalia. He has not allied himself with any fraternal orders, preferring to devote his time and attention entirely to his business affairs, which, properly conducted, are proving a source of financial profit to him. He does not, however, permit his business affairs to exclude him from participation in those matters which are of vital importance to the true citi- zen, for he is deeply interested in all measures that tend toward the growth and development of the city. In all of his business dealings his honesty and integrity is unquestioned, and he commands the respect and confidence of all who know him, while by reason of his sterling worth and blameless life he has gathered around him a large circle of warm friends.
HORACE BONNER, M. D.
Dr. Horace Bonner, who in the practice of his profession has made a specialty of the treatment of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, in which connection he has displayed marked skill and ability, placing him prominently in the front rank of those whose labors are thus directed, was born on a farm in Greene county, Ohio, March 19, 1851. His youthful days were there passed, and as his age and strength increased he assisted more and more largely in the work of the fields. Athirst for knowledge, he supplemented his country school course by study in Xenia College, at Xenia, Ohio; in Earlham College, at Richmond, Indiana; and the Ohio Wesleyan at Delaware. He was graduated from the last named in 1873 and then began equipping himself for a professional career by study in the Miami Medical College, at Cincinnati, where he remained for a year and a half. On the expiration of that period he became ill with typhoid and on his recovery went to his home in Greene county, Ohio. When he had somewhat recuperated he ac- cepted the principalship at Xenia, filling the position from 1875 until 1877. He did not abandon the idca of becoming a member of the medical fraternity, how- ever, and at the closc of the school year, in the spring of 1877, he again made plans for resuming his study in the Miami Medical College, which he reentered in the fall, being graduated thercfrom with the class of 1879.
Dr. Bonner located for practice in Creston, Iowa, where he continued for three years, and then returned to Ohio, opening an office in Xenia, where he con-
358
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
tinued in general practice until May, 1886. In that year he came to Dayton, where he began the study of eye, ear, nose and throat work, associated with Dr. D. W. Grecne, an association that was maintained for eleven years. On the ex- piration of that period Dr. Bonner opencd an office for independent practice and has since given his attention to his specialty, his ability in this direction winning him a large practice and a most enviable reputation. He is now oculist and aurist of St. Elizabeth's Hospital, and he belongs to the American Medical Associa- tion, the Ohio State Medical Association, the Montgomery County Medical So- ciety and the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Oto-Laryngology.
On the 26th of December, 1881, Dr. Bonner married Miss Carrie Parker at Creston, Iowa. They have a son, William Parker, and a daughter, Ella C. Dr. Bonner is a republican in his political belicf but not an active worker in the party ranks. He is a communicant of the Episcopal church and a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is serving as a vestryman in Christ church, in which capacity he has acted for fourteen years, while in the various departments of the church work he is actively and helpfully interested. Those who know Dr. Bonner so- cially find him a genial gentleman, whose cordiality and deference for the opin- ions of others makes him a favorite wherever hc is known. He is a man of stu- dious nature and to this may largely be attributed his continual advancement in his profession for at all times he is conversant with the latest ideas and discoveries of the profession in relation to the laws of health.
JOHN BRAYTON PARMALEE.
John Brayton Parmalee, who has been characterized as a thorough business man of markcd force of character and with ability to comprehend the value of every business detail, is now the secretary of the Davis Sewing Machine Com- pany of Dayton. He was born in a small town in Oneida county, New York, in 1864 and was there reared to the age of cighteen years, a son of W. B. Par- malee, who is still living in the Empire state. In the place of his nativity John B. Parmalee remained to the age of eighteen years, during which time he mas- tered the branches of learning taught in the home schools and also attended the Whitestown Seminary at Whitestown, New York, from which he was graduated in the class of 1882. He further supplemented his early education by study in Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, and after leaving the last named institu- tion was employed in various ways until he seems to have found the task for which nature intended him when he became connected, in 1884, with the western office of the Davis Sewing Machine Company, then at Cleveland. On the removal of the plant to Dayton he came to this city to continue in active connection with the business and in 1897 his recognized ability won him promotion to the posi- tion of secretary. He is thus actively concerned with the management and con- trol of a large and important industry and few men are so thoroughly informed concerning every interest bearing upon or having to do with so large and complex a business concern as that of the Davis Sewing Machine Company. He dis-
359
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
played special aptitude in the management of affairs and, acquainting himself with the business in a most thorough manner, he is now active in the control of an enterprise which is not only a source of gratifying revenue to the stockholders but is also a factor in the industrial activity of the city.
Mr. Parmalee gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is well known in several of the leading social organizations of Dayton, including the Country Club, Bicycle Club, Dayton City Club and the Garfield Club. There has been nothing spectacular in his life record but is none the less essential and none the less valuable from the fact that he belongs to that class who uphold the political and legal status and stand for good government and who, in pur- suing the even tenor of their way, constitute a safe balance for those whom emo- tion or prejudice swerves from the regular order of things.
FRANK BAUMHECKEL, JR.
Frank Baumheckel, Jr., engaged in the wholesale and retail butcher business, was born November 2, 1861, on Valley street in North Dayton and comes of German ancestry. His parents were Frank and Elizabeth (Nack) Baumheckel. The father was a'native of Germany, and came to America about 1857. He was reared and educated in the fatherland and ere his removal to this country followed river pursuits. After his arrival in Ohio he was engaged in butchering and became one of the best known operators in this line of activity in Dayton. He is, however, living retired at present in the enjoyment of well earned rest.
Reared under the parental roof, Frank Baumheckel, Jr., acquired his early education as a pupil in the public schools of Dayton, his native city, and sub- sequently pursued a course of bookkeeping in the Miami Commercial College, from which he was graduated in course of time. He then accepted positions in various parts of the city and was thus engaged for some time, during which period he made himself familiar with the butchering business. Subsequently he went into this line of business activity on his own account and has been thus connected for about thirty-six years. In the meantime, however, he became identified with racing interests and engaged in buying, selling and racing horses in different parts of the country. He has been the owner of some excellent race horses and has today a fast trotter in training. He owns about twenty-five acres of fine farm land on the Troy pike, about two miles from the Dayton courthouse, and here engages in the wholesale and retail butcher business, while he devotes some time to general agricultural pursuits. He is constantly adding to his pres- ent plant, which is a new one and as yet incomplete, but it is nevertheless prov- ing a very profitable enterprise. He has been signally successful in his various business interests and today ranks among the well known and influential repre- sentatives of Mad River township.
On January 23, 1883, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Baumheckel and Emma Adams, and unto this union were born three children: Frank III, now deceased; Adele, the wife of Dr. J. E. Potts, by whom she has one child, Frank IV; and Carrie, also deceased. Mrs. Baumheckel is the daughter of Thomas
360
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
and Caroline (Taylor) Adams. The father was a son of William and Rachel (Douglas) Adams and was a native of New Jersey, removing to Ohio about fifty years ago. He was a mechanic by trade and made his home in Dayton.
In addition to his present home Mr. Baumheckel is also the owner of prop- erty in the city of Dayton situated on the corner of Finley and Valley streets, where he lived prior to his removal to his present location. He is prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to the Masonic fraternity and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, while he also holds membership in the Young Butch- ers' Association. His life has been an active one in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and in his business life he has made good use of his opportunities, has utilized his possibilities to the best advantage and as the years have passed has attained to his present creditable position entirely through his own energy and labors.
A. L. EBERLY.
A. L. Eberly, a well-known and popular farmer of Jefferson township, was born on the Ist of January, 1863, in Butler County, Ohio, a son of Elias and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Eberly. The paternal grandparents, Peter and Maria (Snyder) Eberly, came to this state from Pennsylvania in the year 1834. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Jacob and Elizabeth Hoffman, who came to this state from Pennsylvania in 1832. Elias Eberly, the father of A. L. Eberly, was identified with farming and stock-raising interests throughout his active business career and for many years made his home on the farm which is now in possession of his sons, A. L. and Joseph. He was well and favorably known as one of the enterprising and progressive agriculturists of the community and a township trustee and member board of education many years, and his demise, which occurred in 1884, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. Unto him and his wife were born the following children: two who died in in- fancy; A. L .; Joseph; Emma; and Ward, who died in 1894 weighing four hundred and twenty-six pounds, being known as the fat boy.
In his youthful days A. L. Eberly attended the common schools in pursuit of an education that would equip him for the practical and responsible duties of later life. His has been a most active and useful career, for in addition to carrying on the work of the farm he is also acting as a sale clerk and as such his services are in demand for many miles around, his accuracy and thoroughness being widely recognized. In association with his brother Joseph he owns and operates the old homestead farm of one hundred and forty acres, raising tobacco as well as the various cereals best adapted to soil and climate. He is meeting with gratifying success in his business affairs and this is well merited, for it has come to him through his own well directed labors and close application.
In 1898 Mr. Eberly was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Lambert, a daughter of John and Christina Lambert, of Jefferson township. In politics Mr. Eberly is a stanch democrat and has served as clerk of the school board for fifteen years, while for a similar period he acted as clerk of Jefferson township, ever
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.