USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 47
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Adam Ballmann was born in Dayton, December 19, 1864, and has spent all his years in this county. At the Trinty school in the city he received his first formal training for life, working at home with his father while he prosecuted his lessons. The years of his early life did not differ greatly from those of the average young man who accepts as they come the days and the tasks they bring, and gleans from them the kernels of experience that make for the soundness of a inan's character.
On the 15th of January, 1889, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ballmann to the woman of his choice, Miss Lena Kuntz, the daughter of Joseph and Lena (Wolfe) Kuntz. The Kuntz family were among the oldest settlers in Dayton and its vicinity, having located in this part of the county at a time when it was neces-
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sary for the pioneers to clear their own ground before they could plant their crops. Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ballmann: Gabriel S., Adam, Jr., and John, who have finished their school course; George, Joe A., Lau- rence and Clara who are still attending school; Charles, deceased ; and Viola, Philip, and Emma.
Mr. Ballmann belongs to the church of the Holy Rosary and is one of its trustees. Two fraternal organizations connected with the church claim him as a member-the Knights of St. John, No. 104, and St. Michael's Society of the Holy Rosary church. With both of these Mr. Ballmann is intimately identified and is active and untiring in whatever work in connection with them that falls to his share. For a time he has served as pike commissioner in his township, fulfilling the duties of his office with honor and to the satisfaction of his con- stituents. Mr. Ballmann is well known in Dayton, especially by those who fre- quent Central Market, for he always maintained a stand there at Nos. 21 and 23. There he sells the products which his toil has won from the land, and dem- onstrates repeatedly that those who give him their custom and rely upon his judgment will not be ill satisfied.
ISAAC LENTZ.
Isaac Lentz enjoys the reputation of being the leading dairyman of Mont- gomery county and is the owner of a valuable tract of land of one hundred and twenty-five acres in Madison township on the old Lexington road, about two miles south of Trotwood. Here he lives a life of well-directed energy and enter- prise, his capable management of his business affairs bringing him substantial success.
He was born on the 23d of August, 1859, on the old Sanger farm near Tay- lorsburg, and is a son of George W. and Catharine (Blessing) Lentz. His pa- ternal grandparents were Jacob and Frederica (Moselman) Lentz. The grand- father left Germany in his boyhood days and came to the United States, imbued with the desire to enjoy the opportunities which he had heard were offered in this country. He secured a tract of land near Dayton and at once became identi- fied with the agricultural interests of this part of the state, while later he pur- chased the old Sanger farm and there continued to till the soil until he purchased what is known as the present Lentz farm, a tract of one hundred and sixty acres. He led a busy and useful life, possessing the characteristic German thrift and perseverance, and thereby he gained for himself a creditable position among the successful agriculturists of the county.
His son, George W. Lentz, who was born in this county, became one of the prominent farmers and carpenters of his locality. In early life he acquainted himself with the builder's trade and later did some contracting. However, farming claimed much of his attention and he was known as a most industrious worker and a good manager. He carried forward to successful completion what- ever he undertook, basing his business principles and actions upon the rules which govern strict and unswerving integrity.
ISAAC LENTZ AND FAMILY
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Isaac Lentz was about eight years of age when his father left the old Sanger farm and came to his present place. Here Isaac Lentz has resided continuously since. He acquired his education in the district schools and in the summer months worked in the fields, so that there were few leisure house in his youth. In fact, throughout his entire life he has been a very busy man and in addition to managing the old home farm he also owns another tract of thirty-three acres on the Lexington road, about a mile north of his place of residence. A quarter of a century ago he took up the dairy business and now has the distinction of being the largest distributor in the city of Dayton. He keeps about sixty head of cows, all of which are of high grade, and he employs competent help to assist him in carrying on his business. Everything about the dairy is most clean, neat, sanitary and attractive, and his extensive patronage is indicative of the fact that his patrons are well satisfied.
On the IIth of January, 1883, Mr. Lentz was united in marriage to Miss Ida E. Beeghley, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Beeghley. They, too, were farming people and her father also engaged in the dairy business. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lentz have been born eight children : Alice, now the wife of Benner Bright, by whom she has one son, Russell ; Edith E., the wife of Earl Cleo Landis, who is living on the farm with her father; Sarah, who was graduated from the Trot- wood high school in the spring of 1909; Orben, Laura and Roscoe, who are still in school; Edward, deceased; and Ray Clifford, born March 29, 1909
Mr. Lentz is a representative of one of the old families of the county and throughout the years of their connection with this part of the state they have been known as good citizens, reliable and enterprising in business and loyal to the best interests of the community, giving substantial support to many measures for the public good. Isaac Lentz sustains the excellent reputation always borne by the family and is regarded as a substantial and reliable business man, who owes his success not to any fortunate combination of circumstances but to his own well directed efforts and unremitting diligence. He is a member of the conservative branch of the German Baptist church and has been a teacher in the Sunday school for five years. In politics he is a republican but cares nothing for the honors or emoluments of office.
JOSHUA ZWEIFEL.
America has drawn to herself world-wide attention by reason of the marked advance she has made in many lines of invention but in none has the progress been more marked than in the processes of photography. The accomplishment in this line partakes of the marvelous so great has been the improvement since Daguerre first gave to the world a means of transmitting the human likeness to paper and other materials through the use of the sun's rays. Keeping fully abreast with the improvements that are being continually involved in photo- graphic work Joshua Zweifel well merits the success which he is meeting as one of Dayton's photographers.
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He was born in Canton Glarus, Switzerland, in 1874 and came to America in 1882 with his mother. They first went to Monroe, Wisconsin, where the son largely acquired his education and on leaving that place in 1891 removed to Duluth, Minnesota, where he spent six years. There he was engaged in the photographic business with his brother until 1898 when he returned to Monroe, Wisconsin, where he continued for three years. In 1891 he came to Dayton and opened a photographic studio in this city, where he has since continued in business. Not only thoroughly familiar with all of the mechanical processes there- of, he also possesses much artistic skill and ability, which is shown in the readi- ness with which he catches a natural pose or expression that makes a likeness largely perfect. He is now accorded a liberal patronage, his success continually increasing as the years go by.
In 1890 in Monroe, Wisconsin, Mr. Zweifel was married to Miss Nora Rod- erick. His political support is given to the republican party and his fraternal relations are with the Odd Fellows and the Masons. In the latter organization he has taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite and of the Mystic Shrine. He be- longs also to the First Baptist church, the Young Men's Christian Association and the Chamber of Commerce, these connections indicating his interest in all of the varied phases which go to make up the life of the community and promote its progress along the lines of intellectual, material, political and moral advance- ment.
WILLIAM HALL.
Electricity in all of its adaptable qualities is such a comparatively new ele- ment in the working forces of the business world that it seems astounding when one pauses for a moment to consider what has been attempted and accomplished through its dynamic power. There is, however, no hamlet or village so small in all America that has not felt the benefit to be derived therefrom. Mr. Hall is numbered among those who are putting this force to practical use in care- fully managed and capably directed business enterprise, being now at the head of the William Hall Electric Company of Dayton.
While Mr. Hall has been almost a lifelong resident of Dayton another of the metropolitan centers of the state was the place of his nativity. He was born in Cincinnati in 1860 and in 1865 was brought to Dayton where his youth- ful days were passed. He obtained his education as a public-school student, continuing his studies until fifteen years of age when he became connected with electrical work and throughout the entire period of his business life has con- tinued in this line. Undoubtedly one of the strong factors of his success is the fact that he has continued in the same department of labor in which he embarked as a young tradesman. In 1883 he began business on his own account and in 1905 the enterprise was incorporated under the name of the William Hall Electric Company, Mr. Hall becoming president. The concern occupies a prominent place in this department of labor, having a well equipped plant and a corps of competent employes under the able direction of Mr. Hall and his associates who are well versed in the business. He is thoroughly familiar with electrical
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work from both the practical and the scientific standpoints and is thus competent to judge the worth of an employe or to compute the cost connected with the execution of any contract.
In regard to the interests outside of business which constitute forces in the life of the American citizen Mr. Hall is a democrat, although not active in party ranks, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic frater- nity. In the latter he has taken the degrees of the Commandery and the Con- sistory and with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine has crossed the sands of the desert. He is in hearty sympathy with the beneficent spirit of the craft and its recognition of the truth of universal brotherhood. He likewise belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is recognized as a dependable man about whom there is nothing sinister or anything to conceal and who, on the contrary, is ready to meet any obligation of life with a confidence and courage that come of conscious personal ability and right conception of things.
WILLIAM J. JONES.
While William J. Jones has figured in commercial circles in Dayton for more than four decades, for almost a quarter of a century he has been in a position of administrative direction and executive control, bending his energies to the suc- cessful conduct of the interests of the Stoddard Manufacturing Company, con- trolling one of the largest agricultural implement manufactories of the country. Along well defined lines of labor his success has been won, his history being another illustration of the fact that diligence, perseverance and intelligently di- rected effort constitute a broad and safe foundation upon which to build the superstructure of success.
A native of Hamilton county, Ohio, he was born November 22, 1843, his parents being David C. and Eliza (Shumard) Jones, also natives of Ohio. The father was a farmer by occupation and on leaving Hamilton removed to Butler county, Ohio, about 1850, giving forty years of his life to agricultural pursuits there. In 1890 he came to Dayton, where his remaining days were passed in honorable retirement, his death occurring in May, 1893, while his widow survived until December, 1894. They were people of the highest respectability, who for many years held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, ever conforming their lives to its teachings.
The youthful experiences of William J. Jones were those of most farm boys. The period of his minority was given to the acquirement of a common-school education and to the work of the fields on the home farm, his parents living in Hamilton and in Butler counties while he was still under the parental roof. His taste was rather in mechanical than in agricultural lines, however, and when nineteen years of age he began learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed for about three years. In February, 1866, he entered as a student Greer's Com- mercial College and pursued the full course but ere receiving his diploma he left the school to take temporary charge of a set of books for the firm of Haas & Mitchell. Two months later he returned to the college, intending to remain
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until he obtained his diploma, but the principal regarded his proficiency such as to entitle him to the diploma without further study and it was given him. His next step in business life made him bookkeeper for the lumber firm of William Seeley & Company, with which he remained for three and a half years, when he severed his connection with that house to take charge of the books for D. W. Stewart & Company. Seven years were passed in that position, during which time he became recognized as an expert accountant.
He was next bookkeeper with C. Wright & Son and when he left that firm on the Ist of December, 1879, it was to occupy a similar position with J. W. Stoddard & Company. That his business capacity was soon recognized here is indicated by the fact that on the incorporation of the Stoddard Manufacturing Company in 1884, Mr. Jones was taken in as a stockholder and in 1886 was elected treasurer, which position he has now filled for twenty-three years, his keen discrimination and capable management being factors in the successful control of this important industry. He has also become connected with other business interests, being one of the incorporators of the Buckeye Building & Loan Association, which was organized April 1, 1893. He was elected secretary and treasurer of the Kinsey Manufacturing Company of Dayton in July, 1907.
In 1869 occurred the marriage of Mr. Jones and Miss Luvina McClellan, of Springdale, Ohio, a daughter of James McClellan. Their son, Frank Mcclellan Jones, was married in 1894 and has two children, Marie R. and William Wallace. Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Jones are members of the Park Presbyterian church.
Since entering business life forty-two years ago he has made steady progress toward the goal of prosperity and for some years has been numbered among the men of affluence in Dayton, his success being the merited tribute of earnest, persistent and honorable labor. Throughout the entire period he has maintained a reputation for unsullied integrity in business affairs, while his salient qualities in other relations of life are equally commendable, bringing to him the warm regard of a large circle of friends.
JOHN PETER NEFF.
John Peter Neff is the owner of a tract of twenty-one acres of limestone land in Madison township and is here successfully engaged in the nursery business, growing berries, fruits, etc. The farm is situated on the Union road, about two and a half miles south of Trotwood. Our subject was born in String- town, Montgomery county, Ohio, January 17, 1864, his parents being Michael and Margaret (Rausch) Neff. The paternal grandfather, John Neff, spent his entire life in Germany and was prominent as an agriculturist and carpet weaver. The maternal grandfather, Peter Rausch, likewise spent his entire life in the fatherland and was a carpet weaver by trade. When twenty-seven years of age Michael Neff, the father of John Peter Neff, crossed the Atlantic and after reach- ing the shores of the new world, took up his abode in Stringtown, Ohio, where he resided until called to his final rest. By occupation he was a shoemaker. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Rausch, also came to this country
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from Germany and is still living in Stringtown, having now atttained the age of seventy-six years.
John Peter Neff obtained his education in the schools of Madison township and throughout his active business career has been engaged in the nursery and berry business. As before stated, his place comprises twenty-one acres of lime- stone land on the Union road and the success which has attended his labors as a horticulturist is but the merited reward of his unfaltering energy and capable management.
On the 12th of February, 1885, Mr. Neff was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Cripe, a daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Brandt) Cripe. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, came to this county from Illinois when Mrs. Neff was about seven years of age. She was educated in the schools of Trotwood and by her marriage has become the mother of twelve children, as follows : Earl, twenty-three years of age, who is a graduate of the Trotwood schools and is now attending college at Chicago; Elmer, twenty-one years of age, who is likewise a graduate of the Trotwood schools and is now engaged in teaching ; Ora, eighteen years of age, who is attending school and is still on the farm with his father ; Margaret, who passed away at the age of six years; Ruth and Ira, aged fourteen and twelve years respectively, who are likewise attending school; Walter, who is deceased ; Lawrence, seven years of age, who is attend- ing school; Paul, who has atttained the age of six years ; one who died in infancy ; Ray L., two years of age; and Bertha M.
Mr. Neff belongs to the conservative branch of the Dunkard church and his interest centers in those lines of life and public activity which have for their object the welfare and substantial development of the community. Having spent his entire life in Montgomery county, he has a wide and favorable acquaintance within its borders and is recognized as one of its prosperous and respresentative citizens.
CHARLES W. SLAGLE.
Charles W. Slagle, cashier of the Merchants National Bank of Dayton, which position of trust and responsibility he has filled since the Ist of April, 1906, was born in Troy, Ohio, on September 25, 1864. His father, Jacob Slagle, who served for one hundred days as a soldier of the Civil War, died during the childhood of his son Charles, who in 1867 was brought to Dayton and in this city was reared and educated. When he had mastered the branches of learning that constituted the public-school curriculum he was graduated from the Central high school with the class of 1881 and then in preparation for a business carcer pursued a course in the Miami Commercial College at Dayton.
On leaving that institution he put his training to the practical test in the Merchants National Bank, securing a position as messenger there in October. He applied himself closely to the mastery of the duties entrusted to him and his diligence, reliability and faithfulness were elements that won for him promo- tion from time to time until in March, 1885, he was made receiving teller and on the Ist of July, 1889, became general bookkeeper. His varied service brought
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him comprehensive familiarity with the business in all of its departments. On the Ist of January, 1906, he was made assistant cashier, this being followed by rapid promotion to the position of cashier on the Ist of April, 1906. He is re- garded as a worthy representative of financial interests in the city, his labors constituting an element in the continuous progress and success of the bank.
On the 20th of April, 1892, in Dayton, the marriage of Charles W. Slagle and Miss Belle Hyers, a daughter of William H. Hyers, was celebrated. They attend the Presbyterian church and Mr. Slagle belongs to the Stillwater Canoe Club. His political allegiance is given the republican party and his influence is always on the side of those things which are beneficial to the city and to the individual, yet the demands of his business interests leave him little time for active participation in public movements.
ABRAHAM FILMORE ALLAMAN.
Abrahamn Filmore Allaman, a successful and leading agriculturist of Madison township, is the owner of one hundred and two acres of fine farming land, sit- uated two miles northwest of Trotwood on the crossroad of the Wolf Creek pike and near the Pennsylvania railroad. His birth occurred on the 17th of January, 1849, about a mile west of Englewood on the National pike, his parents being David and Catherine (Zimmerman) Allaman, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and came to this county shortly after their marriage. The paternal grandfather, Henry Allaman, who was of German descent and also a native of the Keystone state, made his way to this county and passed away here. David Allaman, the father of our subject, followed the trade of carpentering and, contracting for a number of years but eventually took up agricultural pursuits and was thus engaged until the time of his demise, his remains being laid to rest in Polk Grove cemetery. He was twice married and by his first wife had nine children, as follows: Abraham Filmore, of this review; Jacob; Ella; and Dan, Charles E., David F., Sarah J., an infant child and Mary Catherine, all of whom have passed away. By his second wife, who bore the maiden name of Martha Cassel, Mr. Allaman also had nine children, namely : Ida; Grant; Emma ; Nora; Viana ; Lyman ; William E .; Perry ; and one who is deceased.
Abraham Filmore Allaman obtained his education in the common schools and early became familiar with the duties and labors of an agriculturist as he assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm. After putting aside his text-books he worked by the month as a farm hand and was thus engaged until his well directed energy and careful expenditures had brought him capital suffi- cient to enable him to purchase the place upon which he now resides, then known as the Snyder farm. As the years passed by and he prospered in his under- takings he added to his original purchase until his farm now comprises one hundred and two acres of rich and productive land that responds readily to the care and cultivation which he bestows upon it. He markets his butter. etc., in Dayton and in addition to his general farming interests he also raises some stock for his own use. He resides in a commodious two-story frame dwelling,
A. F. ALLAMAN
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which he erected two years ago, and is known throughout the community as a substantial and public-spirited citizen, as well as an enterprising business man.
Mr. Allaman has been married twice. He was first wedded, in January, 1871, to Miss Melvina Carmony, of Champaign county, by whom he had three chil- dren. Roscoe U. married Miss Sarah Weaver and has five children : Rebecca, Noel, Edna. John and Ralph. Jane is the deceased wife of Albert Riley, who has one son, Charles D. The youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Allaman died in in- fancy. For his second wife Mr. Allaman chose Mrs. Martha ( Brookins ) Snyder, whom he married on the Ist of September. 1887. her parents being Richard and Christina (Holsapple) Brookins. Her paternal grandfather passed away in the east but her father, Richard Brookins, came to this county from Pennsylvania in early manhood and followed the trade of brickmaking. At the time of the outbreak of hostilities between the north and the south he enlisted as a member of the Ninety-third Ohio Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Poto- mac, and died while in Libby prison, thus laying down his life on the altar of his country. By her first husband, Isaac Snyder, Mrs. Allaman had a son, Charles Albert. Mr. Allaman has five children, namely: Noah H .; Frank D .; Ray A. and Roy F., twins; and William Webster.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Allaman is connected with the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 696, at Little York, while his religious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the Brethren church, in the work of which the members of his family are also helpfully interested. Always a resident of Montgomery county, he is classed with its industrious and prosperous farmers and in the conduct of his business affairs he has displayed a reliability and progressiveness that have gained him admiration as well as success.
FRANK T. HUFFMAN.
For fourteen years Frank T. Huffman has been connected with the Davis Sewing Machine Company and for twelve years has been its president, being thus closely connected with an important industrial concern which is contributing to the business growth of the city as well as to individual remuneration. Born in Dayton in 1857, he is a son of William P. and Anna M. (Tate) Huffman. The family comes of German ancestry, the line being traced back to the great-grand- father, William Huffman, who was of German descent, while his wife, who was of English lineage, crossed the Atlantic from Holland to the new world in the decade between 1730 and 1740. This worthy couple were residents of Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, where William Hoffman, the grandfather of our subject, was born May 24, 1769. Having arrived at years of maturity he was there married on the 14th of June, 1801, to Miss Lydia Knott, who was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, Janttary 19, 1779. On removing westward they settled in Dayton, where William Huffman died January 23, 1866, having for several months survived his wife, who passed away March 21, 1865.
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