USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 4
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
Mr. Baker gives his political allegiance to the republican party and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to various posi- tions of public trust. He served as township clerk for two terms, was town- ship treasurer for one term and for four terms or eight years acted as village clerk. He is now serving as president of the village board of public affairs and is widely recognized as a most influential, progressive and public-spirited citi- zen of the community. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the United American Mechanics and has been secretary of the local lodge of the two last named orders. His family are affiliated with the United Brethren church and are well known and highly esteemed throughout the locality in which they reside.
J. MASON PRUGH.
J. Mason Prugh, one of the most extensive and successful agriculturists of Montgomery county, is the owner of Ashlawn Farm, comprising two hundred and fifty acres of valuable land on the Dayton and Wilmington pike, about six miles southeast of the courthouse. He was born on this place on the 8th of February, 1860, his parents being Thomas L., and Catharine (Mason) Prugh. The mother still survives and makes her home with our subject. The paternal grandparents were John and Catharine (Haines) Prugh and the former, who was the first representative of the name in this county, came here with his wife from Frederick county, Maryland.
Thomas L. Prugh, father of J. Mason Prugh, obtained his education in this locality and was reared to agricultural pursuits, eventually becoming one of the most prosperous, progressive and representative farmers of the county. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to various posi- tions.of public trust and responsibility, the duties of which he discharged in a prompt and capable manner. The cause of education ever found in him a stal- wart champion and he labored effectively for the establishment of good schools and the employment of competent teachers. When he passed away in October, 1901, the county mourned the loss of one of its most public-spirited, enter- prising and respected citizens, while to his many friends and associates his death brought a sense of deep personal bereavement.
35
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
J. Mason Prugh acquired his preliminary education in the schools of Van Buren township and subsequently attended a private school in Dayton. He next entered the Miami Commercial College and after completing the course there, returned to the old homestead farm, becoming associated with his father in the conduct of his agricultural interests. This relation was maintained until the latter's death, when Mr. Prugh of this review came into possession of the place and has since devoted his time and energies to its cultivation and im- provement. It is known as the Ashlawn Farm and is one of the best improved and largest farms in the county, embracing two hundred and fifty acres of rich and productive land in Van Buren township. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate Mr. Prugh is also engaged in stock- raising to some extent, both branches of his business returning to him a gratify- ing annual income. The residence which stands on the property was erected by the grandfather and is situated just off the road in a clump of ash trees, from which the place derives its name. The dwelling which was remodeled in re- cent years is now modern in every respect and is equipped with all the con- veniences and comforts of a city home, including gas and hot and cold water. Mr. Prugh was formerly president of the Farmers Institute but has resigned the office.
In September, 1881, Mr. Prugh was united in marriage to Miss Annie M. Kemp, a daughter of Joseph F. and Eva (Coblentz) Kemp, of Germantown, German township. By this union there are three children. Katharine, the wife of the Rev. James S. E. McMichael, a minister of the United Presbyterian church, by whom she has one son, Jackson Prugh. Thomas K., a graduate of the township schools, is now a freshman in Monmouth College. Frances, at home, attending school.
Mr. Prugh is a stanch advocate of the men and measures of the republican party and at the present time is serving as a member of the school board. His aid and cooperation can always be counted upon to further any movement in- stituted to advance the general welfare and he is one of the most widely known and highly esteemed citizens of Van Buren township. He has been an elder in the United Presbyterian church for many years and is a most valued member of the congregation. In business life he has been well known for his alert and enterprising spirit and his salient qualities and characteristics are such as win an honorable success. He is distinctively a representative citizen of Mont- gomery county and a native son whose life record is a credit to the community.
GRANT STONER.
1334591
Grant Stoner is one of the enterprising and prosperous agriculturists of Montgomery county, being the owner of one hundred and nine acres of rich and productive land in Madison township. The farm is divided by Wolf Creek and is situated about a half mile east of Trotwood and about six miles west of Dayton. He was born in Madison township on the 26th of March, 1863, his parents being William and Sarah (Hyre) Stoner. The paternal grandparents,
36
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Daniel and Esther Stoner, who drove across the country in wagons from Mary- land to Montgomery county, Ohio, were among the first settlers in Madison township, where they took up a tract of land. William Stoner, the father of our subject, who was of German descent, was a native of Montgomery county and became one of the early settlers in this part of Madison township. When his son Grant was about a year old he took his family to Illinois and followed agricultural pursuits in that state for fifteen years but on the expiration of that period he returned to Madison township and once more became connected with farming interests here. His family numbered six children, namely: Ira; Flora, deceased ; Grant, of this review ; Lloyd; and Esther and Henry, who have also passed away.
Grant Stoner began his education in Illinois and following the return of the family to this county he attended the district schools here. Throughout his active business career he has been connected with farming interests, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agricultur- ist. As previously stated, his farm comprises one hundred and nine acres of valuable land and in addition to the work of the fields he is also engaged in stock-raising to some extent, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income.
On the 22d of December, 1889, Mr. Stoner was united in marriage to Miss Anna Whitehead, a daughter of Dave and Mary Ann (Wolf) Whitehead, who came from Pennsylvania to this county and were numbered among the re- spected and leading residents of the community. The father who was of Ger- man descent, became a prominent and prosperous agriculturist of this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stoner have been born eight children, as follows: Elsie; Mildred ; Russell, who is deceased; Walter ; Albert ; Harold ; Milton and Grace.
Mr. Stoner is a trustee in the German Baptist church at Trotwood, in the work of which the members of his family take an active and helpful part. He is a worthy representative of a prominent old family of the county and has a wide acquaintance in the locality in which almost his entire life has been passed, being recognized as a successful agriculturist and highly esteemed citi- zen.
LUCIUS D. REYNOLDS.
The subject of this sketch was born in Homer, Union county, Ohio, Septem- ber 30, 1835. and with his parents moved to West Liberty, Logan county, Ohio, in 1838, and was a participant in the Harrison campaign of 1840, in that he was hauled through the streets of the town astride a miniature log cabin, seated on a coon skin, with a keg perched in front representing "hard cider," by a com- pany of young men. About 1850 the family removed to Republic, Seneca county, Ohio, where in 1852 his mother died, and the fall of the same year the father placed him and two brothers in a school known as Geneva Hall, under the control of a board of the Scotch Covenanters, near Bellefontaine, Ohio, where he remained until the end of the school session in 1854. when he went to Belle- fontaine and became ticket and freight clerk in the office of the Old Bee line.
0
L. D. REYNOLDS
39
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
now a part of the Big Four system, and was in the employ of the company until the fall of 1857, at which time he was residing in Indianapolis and connected with the superintendent's office of the line. On September 28 of that year he was united in marriage to Miss Sophia T. Gardner, a daughter of General Isaac S. Gardner, an old and prominent citizen of Bellefontaine, to which place he and wife removed soon after.
On January 7, 1859, Mr. Reynolds became associated with Samuel T. Walker in the publication of the Bellefontaine Republican, the leading organ of the new republican party, and on the 28th of the same month came into full posses- sion of the office, with no further experience than received in about a year of service in the West Liberty Banner office, under the control of Colonel Coates Kinney, of "Rain on the Roof" celebrity ; was editor in chief, pressman, type- setter, job workman, often going to the case and composing as he set the type for publication, participating in the exciting events preceding the Civil war ; was a supporter of Salmon P. Chase for president, also of John Sherman for senator, terminating in the first instance in the nomination of Abraham Lin- coln, whose election Mr. Reynolds advocated with all the vigor mind and heart could give for republicanism handed down to him by whig blood kept hot through preceding generations.
Publishing what would be called a country newspaper in these days was not a sinecure, with subscriptions paid in wood, butter, eggs, potatoes and apples, and when, if a fellow did get a little cash in paper money, it was of so doubtful a nature that he did not know that it would be worth anything an hour after he received it. So when his party came into power, he conceived the idea that it might be a good thing to try for some of Uncle Sam's cash, which resulted in his obtaining, through Senator Sherman, a clerkship in the division of receipts and expenditures in the register's bureau of the treasury department at Wash- ington, by appointment of Salmon P. Chase, whom Mr. Lincoln had placed in his cabinet as secretary of the treasury. The duty to which he was assigned was the making up in detail the yearly reports of the receipts and expenditures for each year ending June 30, and a year was consumed each time in doing the work. In addition to this, he, with other clerks in the different bureaus of the treasury, was detailed to trim with long bladed shears the first greenbacks issued by the government, which, becoming too extensive for such a process, was soon done by machinery invented for the purpose.
His efficiency being recognized by the chief of the division, who in time was promoted to the chief clerkship of the register's office, had Mr. Reynolds ap- pointed to the vacancy, which he held until the Ist of June, 1866, when he re- signed and returned to Bellefontaine, and in August of the same year came to Dayton, and with his brother-in-law, James R. Gardner, started a printing office in the old engine house that stood in the rear of Turner's Opera House, and with that noted building was destroyed by fire, but the printing office had been removed to the Wollaston Mill, corner of the Canal and Fifth street, at which time the firm had become Reynolds & Reynolds, Ira Reynolds, the father, having purchased the Gardner interest.
Time passed and Mr. Reynolds purchased his father's interest and in 1889 organized a stock company, under the title of The Reynolds & Reynolds Com-
40
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
pany, which it carries at the present time, and of which he has been president ; is also first vice president of The Dayton Savings & Trust Company ; and direc- tor in The Reynolds "Aertite" Carton Company, The Dayton Fibre Plaster Company and The Associated Charities, a member of Grace Methodist Episcopal church, and a "dyed-in-the-wool" republican. His marital companion passed to her reward in June, 1906, leaving as issues of the union: Lewis G., Annie E., wife of Robert L. Hughes ; Edwin S. and Sophia A., wife of John E. Parrott, who with their children have their homes in Dayton.
G. HARRIES GORMAN.
The growth and progress of a city are always the direct outcome of its business development and the men who are, therefore, the promoters of a city's greatness and prosperity are they who founded and control important com- mercial and industrial concerns. In this connection G. Harries Gorman is well known as the treasurer of the Davis Sewing Machine Company, his name figuring prominently in the business circles of the city.
He was born in Dayton, January 13, 1861, and comes of Irish ancestry in the paternal line. His grandfather, George H. Gorman, was a native of the north of Ireland, born in the eighteenth century. In early manhood he came to the new world and established his home in Cincinnati, Ohio, when it was a comparatively small place, yet of considerable importance from the fact of its advantageous position on the Ohio when practically all transportation was done by means of the waterways of the country. He engaged in steamboating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and also carried on general merchandising. He was in fact one of the prominent figures in connection with trade interests along the two important waterways of the country at that period. He died during a yellow fever epidemic in New Orleans in 1840. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Harshman and was a daughter of Jonathan Harshman.
Their only child was Jonathan H. Gorman, the father of G. Harries Gorman. He was left an orphan at an early age and was reared in Dayton by his maternal grandfather, J. H. Harshman. His birth occurred in Dayton in 1834 and in the pursuit of an education he attended Miami College at Oxford, Ohio, from which in due course of time he was graduated, while subsequently he pur- sued a post-graduate course in Flushing School, Flushing, Long Island. On the expiration of that period he returned to Dayton and became a factor in the business life of the city as a banker in connection with Reuben Harshman but during the widespread financial panic of 1873 they suffered losses as did hun- dreds of other banking institutions and were forced to close. Mr. Gorman then entered the milling business in Montgomery county, and also owned and operated a mill in Cincinnati, Ohio, continuing successfully in that line of business until he retired in 1888. He married Miss Rosetta Harries, of Dayton, a daughter of John W. Harries, who was a native of Wales and came to this city during the pioneer epoch in its history. He was not only prominent in business circles but was also recognized as one of the leaders in the political life of the community.
41
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
He conducted a brewery business up to the time of his death and was regarded as one of the substantial enterprising representatives of manufacturing interests in the city. He married a Miss Conkling, of Long Island, a great-aunt of the late Senator Roscoe Conkling, and their daughter, Rosetta, became the wife of Jonathan H. Gorman. They lived to celebrate their golden wedding anniver- sary on the 13th of October, 1907. Their marriage was blessed with three children: two daughters who died in early life and G. H. Gorman.
The last named was reared in Dayton and at the usual age was sent to the public schools, wherein he continued his studies to the age of eighteen years. He then entered the employ of S. J. Patterson, a coal dealer, with whom he re- mained for two years, after which he went upon the road for a Dayton firm, which he represented for four years. He next engaged in the manufacture of tobacco in Dayton and so continued until July, 1896, when he became con- nected with the Davis Sewing Machine Company as purchasing agent. His business ability, enterprising spirit and unwearied industry received recognition in 1903 in his election to the position of treasurer and since that time he has guided the financial interests of what is today one of the most important in- dustries of Dayton. He is also a director of the Chamber of Commerce and the Manufacturers Association.
In his native city in 1888 Mr. Gorman was married to Miss Annae B. Barney, a daughter of Eugene J. Barney and they have one child, E. J. B. Gorman. Appreciative of the social amenities of life Mr. Gorman is a popular and valued member of the Dayton City Club and of the Buzfuz Club. He belongs also to the Episcopal church and gives his political support to the republican party for his study of the questions and issues of the day has led him to the firm belief that the interests of the country are best conserved through the adop- tion of republican principles. However, the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him as he has preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. Beginning life in a humble capacity he has made steady progress, each forward step bringing him broader outlook, while his enterprise has gained for him a prominent position in the commercial circles of the city. Thus his personal worth and the fact that he is a representative of two of the oldest and best known families of Dayton well entitle him to representa- tion in this volume.
NED DUNHAM GOODHUE, M. D.
Acquainted with all of the modern processes of medical practice, with the latest inventions which are an element in success and with the deepest re- searches into the science of medicine and surgery, Dr. Ned Dunham Goodhue has gained a liberal patronage during the years of his connection with the medical fraternity in Dayton. He was born in Putney, Vermont, on the 20th of July, 1877, and during his infancy was taken by his parents to Westminister, that state, where he was reared. His preliminary education was there largely acquired in the public schools and later he entered the Kimball Union Academy
42
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
at Meriden, New Hampshire, from which he was graduated with the class of 1897. He afterward entered Carleton College at Northfield, Minnesota, where lie spent two years in study and in 1899 he went to Columbus, Ohio, where he began preparation for the medical profession, which he had determined to make his life work. He was matriculated in the Ohio Medical University in that year and on the completion of the regular course was graduated with the class of 1903. Immediately afterward he came to Dayton as interne in the Miami Val- ley Hospital, where he continued for fourteen months, this bringing him broad, varied, practical and valuable experience. At the end of that time he commenced general practice and is also pathologist at the Miami Valley Hospital. He is a nephew of Dr. George Goodhue, a very prominent physician of Dayton, and the ability which he is now displaying seems to indicate that he may one day rival his uncle in skill and professional power. He belongs to the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Society, the Montgomery County Medical Society, and the Dayton Academy of Medicine. He is also serving as a mem- ber of the board of health of Dayton.
In 1906 Dr. Goodhue was married, in Woodstock, Vermont, to Miss Roma Carpenter, and they have one daughter, Jennette. Dr. Goodhue belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has social qualities which render him popular with his patrons and with many friends.
DICK R. PICKERING.
Dick R. Pickering may aptly be termed a man of purpose and the story of his life is the story of honest industry and thrift. Something of his ability is indicated in the fact that he is now secretary of the W. P. Callahan Company, manufacturers of hydraulic oil machinery and gas and gasoline engines in Dayton. He was born in Greenville, Ohio, August 29, 1874, and was there reared to the age of eighteen years, entering the public schools at the usual age and passing through consecutive grades until he entered upon the final step in his educa- tional preparation in a course in the Miami Commercial College at Dayton. His youthful days were passed in the home of his father, Moses Pickering, who was born in Greenville, Ohio, in 1836 and there spent his entire life, pass- ing away in his native city in 1886. He had married Deborah Clark and they were the parents of five sons, all of whom are still living as is the mother.
Dick R. Pickering is the youngest of the family and when he had com- pleted his training for the business world he entered the employ of the W. P. Callahan Company as bookkeeper. His course in this connection won the favor- able attention of those in authority and gained him promotion in 1907 in his election to the office of secretary and treasurer. He is a young man of marked ability, forceful and resourceful and the mere fact of his being secretary and treasurer of the W. P. Callahan Company, at the head of which is Thomas De Armond, a prominent banker and one of Dayton's keenest sighted business men, is the best testimony of his worth and ability.
43
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
In 1899 Mr. Pickering was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Miss Josephine Cassel and they are well known in the social circles of the city. Mr. Pickering belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and his political allegiance is given to the republican party.
EDWARD L. ROWE.
Edward L. Rowe, for forty-three years actively connected with the profes- sion which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of every community, in that it conserves the ends of justice and individual rights, has throughout this period practiced in Dayton with a clientage that has not only been of an extensive but also of a distinctly representative character. One of the native sons of Montgomery county, he was born in Germantown, Sep- tember 21, 1842. His father, Daniel J. Rowe, long a well known and respected citizen of Germantown, where for many years he followed merchandising, died in 1907 at the very venerable age of ninety-three years.
While spending his youthful days in his native village Edward L. Rowe mas- tered the branches of learning that constitute the curriculum of the public and high schools and later entered the Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio, where he was graduated with the class of 1864. Soon afterward he came to Dayton and, having determined upon the practice of law as his life work. he began reading the leading text-books and commentaries of that time under the direc- tion of the Hon. Lewis B. Gunckel. In May, 1866, after passing the required examination, he was admitted to the bar and then practiced alone until 1869, when he formed a law partnership with his former preceptor that continued for some years. After a time P. H. Gunckel was taken into the firm under the style of Gunckel, Rowe & Gunckel. Several years later P. H. Gunckel withdrew and the original firm style of Gunckel & Rowe was then resumed and so con- tinued until 1890, when W. W. Shuey was admitted and the firm then became Gunckel, Rowe & Shuey. After the retirement of the senior partner the asso- ciation between Mr. Rowe and Mr. Shuey was continued, and in January, 1907, L. W. James was admitted under the firm style of Rowe, Shuey & James, while in April, 1907, Judge E. P. Matthews came into the firm, which is now Rowe, Shuey, Matthews & James. Thus Mr. Rowe stands at the head of one of the most prominent law firms of the city. The consensus of public opinion accords him high rank in the profession and he is no doubt one of the most successful lawyers here. His opinions are valued highly because of his comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and his correct application thereof to the points in litigation. He possesses a mind of singular precision and power capable of an impartial view of both sides of a question and of arriving at a just conclusion. While he possesses much natural ability, he is withal a hard student and is never content until he has mastered every detail of his cases. He believes in the maxim, "There is no excellence without labor," and follows it closely.' He is never surprised by some unexpected discovery by an opposing lawyer, for in his mind he weighs every point and fortifies himself for defense
44
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
as well as attack. During his practice he has conducted important litigation in the federal and state courts with gratifying success, winning well earned fame and distinction.
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.