USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 43
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JAMES MANFORT WEAVER, M. D.
Professional service at the National Soldiers' Home has been the path that has led a number of capable members of the medical profession to Dayton. Dr. Weaver, after serving for six years in the national institution, came to Dayton in 1880 and the years have chronicled his continuous and growing success, for he not only had the benefit of thorough instruction as a preparation for his chosen calling but has remained to the present a close and discriminating student of the science of medicine, his keen sagacity enabling him to quickly distinguish between
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the essential and the non-essential in all of the modern experiments, theories and discoveries put forth by the medical fraternity.
Dr. Weaver is a native of the neighboring state of Indiana, his birth having occurred near Greensburg in Decatur county, April 9, 1838. His father, the Rev. John S. Weaver, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1802, was descended from ancestry that came from Alsace-Lorraine, the great-grand- father of Dr. Weaver being the first member of the family to come to the new world. His son, John Weaver, was for many years a shipbuilder in the United States navy and afterward became identified with agricultural pursuits in Ohio. He wedded Mary Smallwood, of Philadelphia, and they reared a family of eight or ten children, whose descendants are now scattered widely over the country.
The Rev. John S. Weaver was a member of the first class graduated from Miami University and later was a tutor at Oxford for some time. About 1828 he was ordained to the ministry of the Presbyterian church and accepted a pas- torate at Bellbrook, Greene county. Later he assumed charge of the church in Franklin, Warren county, Ohio, and was afterward the pastor of the church called Sand Creek Presbyterian church near Greensburg, Indiana, returning thence to Ohio about 1839. Following that date he engaged in preaching at the Bethel Presbyterian church near Millville, Butler county, for two or three years and then took charge of the New Jersey church in Warren county, now called the Carlisle church. After severing his connection therewith about 1858 he assumed charge of Dick's Creek church, making his home in the village of Blue Ball, along the line of Butler and Warren counties, Ohio, where he continued until 1865, when he removed to Springfield. . He continued in the work of the church, although not having a special charge, his last sermon being delivered at Bell- brook, where he began his work in the ministry, his death occurring in Spring- field, Ohio, in 1872. He made frequent and valuable contributions to religious journals and was recognized as a man of high literary attainments, as well as of marked consecration and zeal in the work of the church. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Amanda Hurin, was a daughter of Silas Hurin, one of the carly settlers of Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, where he located on removing from New Jersey, his native state. By trade he was a tanner. He wedded a Miss Ludlow, who also represented one of the pioneer families of Ohio, and their daughter Amanda was born in Lebanon. Her death occurred in 1882. By her marriage she had become the mother of seven children: Susan A., deceased ; Kate C., also deceased, who was the wife of Captain James H. Robison ; James M. ; Mary Agnes, the widow of Captain A. M. Robinson; John S., who has al- ways been engaged in educational work : Georgiana D., the wife of R. E. Naylor : and Walter L., an attorney of Springfield, Ohio.
Dr. Weaver spent his youthful years in southern Ohio, where he early be- came inured to farm work, dividing his time between the work of the fields in the summer and the pursuit of an education in the district schools through the winter. He afterward benefited by two years' instruction in an academy and also taught for one winter. In 1857 he became a student in the office and under the direction of Drs. Firestone and Robison, of Wooster, Ohio, and attended his first course of lectures in Cincinnati in the winter of 1859-60. Later he became a student in the medical department of the Western Reserve College at Cleveland, where he was
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graduated in 1861. He at once located for practice in Jackson, Wayne county, Ohio, but was just getting a start in his professional career when he put aside all personal considerations to aid his country.
It was on the 17th of August, 1862, that Dr. Weaver was appointed assistant surgeon of the Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, so continuing until 1864, when he was promoted to the rank of surgeon and was thus mustered out at Nash- ville, Tennessee, June 8, 1865. He was under fire in all the battles of his regiment save those of the Atlanta campaign, for just after the beginning of that campaign he was detailed in charge of division hospital at Atlanta, Georgia, where he con- tinued until mustered out of service at Nashville, Tennessee. In the meantime he had been captured at Chickamauga, where he remained to take care of the wounded and was sent to Libby prison, where he continued from September 21, 1863, until the Ist of December following, being held as a hostage, though treated as a pris- oner of war. He did valuable service for his wounded and suffering comrades through the period of his connection with the army, many having reason to bless him for timely and skilfull aid.
Dr. Weaver's military service also brought him wide and varied experience which was of much usefulness to him. On his retirement from the army he located for practice in Wooster, Ohio, where he formed a partnership with Dr. J. D. Rob- ison and continued until 1874. In that year he was appointed chief surgeon to the National Soldiers' Home at Dayton, where he remained for six years or until 1880, when he came to the city, since which time he has practiced successfully as a physician and surgeon here. He is widely known as a skillful and conscientious practitioner, knowing that the issues of life and death are often in his hands. He is very careful in the diagnosis of his cases and seldom, if ever, at fault in antici- pating the outcome. His reading, too, covers a wide range and makes him con- versant with the most advanced scientific ideas of the profession. While in Wooster he served as a member of the board of pension examiners and in Dayton has acted in the same capacity almost continuously from 1882. He occupied the position of health officer in Dayton from 1886 until 1891 and since 1882 has been a member of the consulting staff of St. Elizabeth's hospital, while since 1881 he has been surgeon for the Big Four Railroad. He has financial interests as a stock- holder and director in the Gem City Building & Loan Association and is now one of its vice presidents.
On the 6th of September, 1865, Dr. Weaver was married to Miss Sarah J. Jacobs, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, a native of Wooster, Ohio, and a daughter of William Jacobs. Dr. and Mrs. Weaver became the parents of three daughters and a son : Anna L., who died at the age of sixteen ; Mary M., who passed away in infancy ; Frederick C. : and Mima J. The son was born December 16, 1870, and after attending the Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, read medicine with his father and completed his course in the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in 1894. He now practices in Dayton, has been one of the attending physicians of St. Elizabeth's hospital and was assistant surgeon of the Third Regiment of the Ohio National Guard. He wedded Miss Mary E. Bridgeman, of London, Ohio, in 1891.
Dr. J. M. Weaver gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served for three terms as a member of the school board, while in all matters
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of vital import to the community he is deeply interested. His fraternal relations are with Dayton Lodge, No. 147, A. F. & A. M., Unity Chapter, No. 16, R. A. M., Reese Council, No. 9. R. & S. M., and Reed Commandery, No. 6. He has also attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and he maintains pleas- ant relations with his army comrades through his membership in Old Guard Post, No. 23. G. A. R. For thirty-five years he has been a member of the First Pres- byterian church. His professional relations are with the Montgomery County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the State Association of Railroad Surgeons and the National As- sociation of Railroad Surgeons. He has today passed the allotted psalmist's span of three score years and ten but still remains an active member of the profession which by his capable work he has honored through a practice covering forty- eight years.
EZRA E. COLER.
Ezra E. Coler, a farmer and stockman on the western outskirts of Dayton, was born on the farm, November 19, 1857, the son of Noah Coler, who was born in Maryland in 1828 and came to Montgomery county with his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Coler, when he was five years of age. They were both natives of Maryland and were of German and English extraction. Noah Coler grew to young manhood on a farm, receiving his education at the schools of the county, which he attended while he assisted with the work on the home farm. On completing his education, he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for a few years. On the 7th of March, 1852, he was married to Miss Eliza A. Gregg, the daughter of Silas and Susan Gregg, of Preble county, Ohio, of which union there were ten children born. Mr. Coler filled many minor offices of trust at the disposal of the people with honor and was recognized as a man of more than ordinary ability. He was one of the influential farmers of Jefferson township, and in fact of the county. Throughout life Noah Coler was the owner of several fine farms and made the breeding of thoroughbred stock a specialty.
This branch of farming his son, Ezra E. Coler, adopted as his vocation in life, and in it he has won more than local distinction and renown. Together the father and son have done more than any men in the country for the improvement of the Poland China breed of hogs. Today Ezra E. Coler has a herd of hogs of the finest quality, most of them prize winners. At the head of this herd is Black Sunshine, No. 38317, who won the first prize and special sweepstakes at the St. Louis World's Fair and at many other fairs, including the Ohio State Fair, and carries more honors than any other hog of the breed in the state of Ohio. The dams in the herd have many times been prize winners and have been sired by some of the noted prize-winners of the world. In connection with the breeding of hogs Mr. Coler gives his attention to raising Barred Plymouth Rock chickens of the highest standard. His efforts in his chosen field of work have been recog- nized and appreciated by his fellow breeders, and in the several associations that look to advancing the interests of these men he has held important positions.
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E. E. COLER AND FAMILY
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He is one of the board of directors of the Poland China Record Association ; has been president of the Ohio State Swine Breeders Association ; and is a member of the Indiana State Swine Breeders Association. On many occasions in this and neighboring states he has been called upon to exercise the prerogatives of expert swine judge at the fairs. At these he was formerly a successful exhib- itor, but of fate years he has not entered, in this way generously giving others an opportunity to carry off some of the honors. However, he continues having his annual stock sales.
On the 3Ist of January, 1886, Ezra E. Coler and Miss Ida E. Kline, the daughter of Peter and Mary A. Kline, were united in marriage, and shortly after their union began farming on one of the largest and best farms in the township which they now own. Besides this, Mr. Coler also owns property in the city of Dayton. Two children, Everett Earl and Charles Ray, bless the couple. Everett Earl Coler, born April 17, 1890, is a graduate of the Jefferson township and the Dayton Steele high schools, and has been a student at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. He has taught in District No. 12, of Jeffer- son township, and is now principal of Liberty school. The younger son is still attending the township high school. Both boys have shown a liking for their father's business, and the latter has taken them into partnership, so that his stock breeding industry is known as that of E. E. Coler & Sons.
Mr. and Mrs. Coler are members of the Bear Creek Brethren church, of which Mr. Coler has been a trustee for ten years, and his wife treasurer for a like period. Mr. Coler occupies a prominent position in the life and industry of the township, by reason of his success in his vocation, and his wife has ful- filled her slightly different duties with equal distinction and tact. So that the couple may be considered as representative citizens of Jefferson township, and in many respects are deemed leaders in church and social affairs.
J. C. SOWARD.
Death often claims those whom we can ill afford to lose because of their value as citizens and business men and their worth as factors in the community. To this class belonged J. C. Soward whose position of prominence as a music dealer of Dayton through thirty-five years had made him well known in the city. Moreover he displayed those sterling qualities that hold one's friends as with hooks of steel. He left the impress of his individuality for good upon the in- terests of the community and it will be years to come before his influence will cease to be felt as a moving force in the lives of those who knew him.
Mr. Soward was born on a farm near Bellbrook, Ohio, about 1845. His mother, Mrs. Julia Soward, still survives at the venerable age of ninety years, while his sister, Mrs. I. L. Crowell, is well known as a representative of the mil- linery trade in Dayton and a brother, I. N. Soward, is a resident of Urbana, Ohio.
J. C. Soward spent his youthful days on the old homestead, early becoming familiar with the work of the fields where he labored through the summer sea- son while in the winter months he pursued his education in the public schools.
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Agricultural life, however, did not prove entirely congenial to him as he be- lieved there were broader opportunities in the business circles of the city. Ac- cordingly he came to Dayton when twenty-nine years of age and entered business life as a dealer in musical instruments on South Jefferson street. Later he iden- tified himself with J. T. Kenney and the firm conducted a general music business on East Third street for a number of years. Later he became junior partner of the firm of Du Bois & Soward, the senior partner being J. D. Du Bois. This house for some years occupied a leading position among the dealers in all forms of musical instruments. The partnership was terminated by the death of Mr. Du Bois, at which time a stock company was organized under the name of J. C. Soward & Company and for some years the enterprise has been one of the lead- ing commercial houses on North Main street. Throughout the long years of his connection with commercial interests Mr. Soward sustained an unassailable reputation. He would never stoop to anything that was not strictly honorable nor would he countenance anything of the kind as a representative of the firm. His record indicates that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously, for in the legitimate lines of trade through his industry and perseverance he won a substantial measure of prosperity and came to be recognized as one of the most reliable merchants of the city.
In early manhood Mr. Soward was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca James, who died twenty-four years prior to his demise, leaving a son, Herbert Soward, who is now president and treasurer of the Soward Music Company. For his second wife he chose Miss Georgiana Weaver, who survives him and unto this anion were born three children of whom two are living, Roscoe and Helen. To his family Mr. Soward was most devoted, his best traits of character always being reserved for his own fireside. While he was an indulgent he was also a wise father and always sought out those things which were for the best and per- manent good of his loved ones. He had the happy faculty of winning warm friendships and enjoyed the highest regard not only of those whom he met in social relations but of those with whom he became connected in business life. To his employes he was always fair and just and even went beyond that, proving his friendship to them on many occasions. He extended his kindness in every walk of life where his course led him. It was a dominant characteristic of the man that he was never heard to utter any careless remark belittling or condemn- ing anybody. His code of ethics was a high one that sought the greatest good for the greatest number, with belief in righteousness, justice, sobriety and truth. He never rated men by their material acquisitions but by character worth and he numbered his friends among young and old, rich and poor.
FRANK S. BREENE.
For more than a quarter of a century Frank S. Breene has practiced at the Dayton bar and, recognizing at the outset of his career that industry and close application are as indispensable in professional advancement as in industrial or commercial circles he has put forth persistent effort, mastering the legal prin-
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ciples involved in the litigation which he has handled and never failing to give a thorough preparation before he brings his case into court. Mr. Breene is one of Dayton's native sons, his birth having here occurred November 20, 1860. His parents are William G. and Margaret Breene, long time residents of Dayton and highly respected of all. At the usual age the son entered the public schools, where he passed through consecutive grades to his graduation from the Central high school with the class of 1879. Determining to make the practice of law his life work he became a student in the office of the firm of Marshall & Gottschall, who directed his reading until his admission to the bar in May, 1883. He has prac- ticed alone almost from the beginning of his professional career, working earn- estly for the success which is now his and which places him in a prominent posi- tion among the strong and able representatives of the Dayton bar. His social qualities, too, have made him many friends and he is most widely and favorably known in the city of his nativity.
JACOB SPITLER.
Jacob Spitler is well known in Brookville as the senior partner of the firm of Spilter & Spilter, dealers in agricultural implements, heavy merchandise and buggies at Brookville. He was born in Montgomery county, October 12, 1853, his parents being David and Nancy Spitler, the former a farmer by occupation. During the formative period of this part of the state the grandfather, Jacob Spitler, arrived in the county, coming early in the nineteenth century. He set- tled near Brookville and began the development of a farm. At that day it was necessary to drive to Cincinnati for supplies and also to effect the sale of farm produce. No railroads had been built and comparatively few roads had been made. Much of the land was still covered with the native forest growth and gave little evidence of the development and improvement which was soon to transform this district into one of the most populous and prosperous parts of the state.
In the common schools Jacob Spitler of this review pursued his education and, after putting aside his text-books, he began farming on his own account, cultivating a tract of land until 1899. He then entered mercantile circles, deal- ing in agricultural implements, heavy merchandise and buggies at Brookville under the firm name of Spitler & Spitler, his son Charles R. being his partner. He has since continued in this field of activity and the firm now enjoys an ex- tensive and gratifying trade. Their business methods are such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny and their enterprise and energy have carried them into important commercial relations.
In 1871 Jacob Spitler was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Overholser, of Brookville, and they have become the parents of four children: Elliott O., of Brookville ; Charles R., who is his father's partner in business; Jesse C., also of Brookville ; and Lola E., the wife of Arthur Norris, who is engaged in the coal business of Brookville. Mr. Spitler is a member of the junior order of United Order of American Mechanics and also of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He has served as a trustee of his township and also as a school director and is
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very interested in those measures and movements which pertain to the welfare and progress of the community. His life has been well spent and he is now numbered among the representative merchants of this part of the state. He was equally well known in his connection with agricultural interests and at all times his sterling qualities have gained him the friendly regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
CHARLES R. SPITLER.
Charles R. Spitler, junior member of the firm of Spitler & Spitler of Brook- ville, his native city, was born October 12, 1875, and is a son of Jacob and Cath- erine Spitler, also natives of Montgomery county. At the usual age he was sent as a pupil to the public schools and mastered the various branches of learning taught in consecutive grades until he became a high-school student. He was born and reared on a farm and there remained until 1890, when he came to Brookville. In 1898 he joined his father in their business under the firm style of Spitler & Spitler and have conducted the enterprise to the present day, build- ing up an extensive and gratifying trade. In 1908 they extended the scope of their activities by becoming extensive dealers in coal and have had large sales in that commodity in the intervening period.
In 1895 Mr. Spitler was united in marriage to Miss Olive Belle Mills, a daughter of Truman B. Mills, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. They now have one child, Herbert, ten years of age. The parents are members of the United Brethren church and Mr. Spitler has also been identified with the junior order of United Order of American Mechanics for the past fourteen years. In politics he is a stanch and stalwart democrat, giving freely of his time and means to the support of his party. He has been a delegate to the democratic convention to this district and is a member of the board of health. Aside from his mercantile interests he is connected with the Brookville Manufacturing Com- pany and he has settled more estates than any other one man of the locality, acting as administrator and executor, and at all times having the entire confidence of the general public. He is a man whose business reliability is above question and in no business undertaking has he been known to take advantage of his fel- lowmen in even the slightest degree.
JOHN JAMES HALL.
John James Hall has for some years engaged in the abstract and title guarantee business, while various other interests have also felt the stimulus of his energy and determined business policy. He was born in Dayton, August 7, 1860, and spent his youthful days in the acquirement of an education in the parochial schools, but at the age of fourteen put aside his text-books to provide for his own sup-
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port, his first employment being in the office of the recorder of Montgomery county, where he occupied a clerical position until eighteen years of age.
In 1894, in partnership with Edward T. Hall, he established an abstract busi- ness, in which he has continued until the present time. He soon became recog- nized for his accuracy, promptness and reliability-qualities which have secured for him a liberal patronage. He has not confined his efforts alone to one line, however, but has sought out other profitable fields and various enterprises have been benefited by his cooperation and sound business judgment. He is now the president of the Phillips House Hotel Company; president of the Miami Land & Title Company ; president of the Dayton Saw Mill & Lumber Company ; vice president of the American Loan & Savings Association; president of the Enid (Okla.) Development Company ; a director in the Enid Street Railway Com- pany ; a director in the Dayton Breweries Company ; and vice president of the Dayton Street Railroad Construction Company. His investments have been judi- ciously placed and his interests now cover a wide range, so that his financial re- turns are substantial. In business affairs he manifests sound judgment and keen discrimination being rarely, if ever, at fault in his judgment concerning the value of a situation or its opportunities. He is also connected with the Dayton Chamber of Commerce and is thus allied with many movements for promoting the welfare of the city.
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