USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 48
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Their family numbered a son, William P. Huffman, and four daughters. After acquiring his preliminary education the son devoted some time to reading law,
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recognizing the fact that a knowledge of the science of jurisprudence always constitutes a valuable asset in a business career. Following the removal of the family to Dayton, he left the city early in 1837 and for ten years was engaged in farming. In 1848, however, he returned to this city and for a long period thereafter was a factor in business circles by reason of his extensive operation in banking, real-estate lines and building. He brought intricate business problems to ready and correct solution because of his keen insight and sound judgment. He quickly discriminated between the essential and the nonessential, discarding the latter and utilizing the former in the accomplishment of the result he desired. He was interested in the Third Street Railway, the Dayton & Springfield pike and the Cooper Hydraulic Company, and was one of the organizers of the Sec- ond National Bank, continuing as its president up to the time of his death.
On the 18th of October, 1837, occurred the marriage of William P. Huffman to Miss Anna M. Tate, a daughter of Samuel Tate. They had a large family numbering the following: William, deceased; Martha Bell, the wife of E. J. Barney, of Dayton; Lydia H., the wife of James R. Hedges, of Dayton ; Charles T., deceased ; Lizzie, the widow of Charles E. Drury; Samuel, who died in early boyhood; Torrence and Frank, both of Dayton ; George P .; and Anna M. While he was widely known as a successful financier and business man, William P. Huffman's activities did not cease with his efforts in those lines but were an element in behalf of general educational and moral progress. He belonged to the Linden Avenue Baptist church and for fifteen years was a member of the board of trustees at Denison University at Granville, Ohio. A contemporary biographer said of him: "A man of clear, sound, practical judgment and exceed- ingly conservative and reliable in all transactions, the name of William P. Huff- man stood as a synonym for wisdom and safety in the business circles of Day- ton. As a man of integrity and moral worth, he was a strong factor in molding the Christian sentiment of the community of which he was for many years a worthy and honored citizen."
Reared amid the refining influences in a cultured home, Frank T. Huffman spent his early days in Dayton as a pupil in the public schools and afterward attended Denison University at Granville, while subsequently he pursued a special course in civil engineering under Dr. Dickinson near Trevilians Station, Vir- ginia. Later he went to Colorado, where he devoted four years to ranching and mining, and in 1880 he returned to his native city, where he became connected with the wholesale and retail hardware business in partnership with George F. Rohr under the firm style of George F. Rohr & Company. He had been asso- ciated with that enterprise for a year and a half when he withdrew and for a few years thereafter was connected with building operations in Dayton and with farming in Montgomery county, erecting a number of substantial residences in this city. He next became chief clerk and cashier in the internal revenue office of Dayton, where he remained for two years, and in 1888 he was elected treas- urer of Montgomery county, where he discharged his duties with such promptness and acceptability that he was reelected, continuing as the incumbent for four years. On the expiration of that period he retired from office and for a time conducted real-estate operations. In 1895 he was elected treasurer of the Davis Sewing Machine Company and in 1897 became vice president and general man-
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ager, while the following year he was elected to the presidency and has remained at the head of the business continuously since.
In 1888 Mr. Huffman was married in Dayton to Miss Ada McIntire, a daughter of the late John K. McIntire, and their children are three in number : John McIntire Huffman, Evelyn Van Tuyl Huffman and Frank T. Huffman.
Mr. Huffman is well known in Masonry, having taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite, the Commandery and the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Dayton City Club and to the Buzfuz Club, his social interest thus finding ex- pression. He manifests his interest in the moral progress of the community as a member of Linden Avenue Baptist church, and he gives his political support to the republican party. Whether in office or out of it he has always been a loyal, progressive citizen, cooperating whenever possible in the movements calculated to promote public progress along lines of reform and advancement. .
JOHN BIERSACK.
John Biersack, a market gardener of Mad River township, is the owner of twenty-seven acres of rich and productive land just off of the Troy pike, about two miles from the courthouse. His birth occurred in Dayton, Ohio, on the 14th of June, 1860, his parents being Andrew and Barbara Biersack. The pa- ternal grandfather, an expert mechanic by trade, spent his entire life in Germany. Andrew Biersack, the father of our subject, obtained his education in the schools of Germany and in early manhood crossed the Atlantic to the United States, taking up his abode in Montgomery county, Ohio. Here he purchased a tract of land and engaged in gardening. He was numbered among the substantial, enterprising and respected citizens of his community until his death, which occurred August 24, 1909, at the age of eighty-one years.
In pursuit of an education John Biersack attended the schools of his native city and at the same time also worked on the truck farm with his father. He has been successfully identified with market gardening throughout his active business career and now owns and operates a fine farm of twenty-seven acres in Mad River township, his products meeting with a ready and profitable sale.
On the 16th of February, 1885, Mr. Biersack was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Roth, a daughter of George and Mary (Cruesemeyer) Roth, who were farming people of Germany. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Biersack have been born six children, namely : Cecilia, Herbert and Irma, who have completed their educa- tion ; and Alphonse, Lauretta and Mary, who are attending school.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Biersack has given his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democratic party and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to positions of public trust. He is now serving as trustee of Mad River township and also as a member of the school board, discharging his official duties in a prompt and efficient manner. He belongs to the Knights of St. George, No. 104, of Dayton, Ohio, and to the Holy Rosary church. A resident of Montgomery county throughout his entire life, his record is largely familiar to the great majority
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of our readers. His genuine personal worth and sterling traits of character have won him the unbounded confidence and esteem of the entire community and the respect and admiration of all with whom he has come in contact.
C. H. BREIDENBACH, M. D.
Dr. C. H. Breidenbach, engaged in the general practice of medicine and since 1899 acting as surgeon for the Dayton fire department, has given undivided atten- tion to his profession for more than a decade. He was born in the city which is still his home in 1867, and, as the name indicates, comes from German lineage. His father, Daniel G. Breidenbach, whose birth occurred in Germany, July 6, 1826, was a young man of twenty years when he determined to make his home in the new world, reaching Philadelphia on the 13th of May, 1846. Two months later he came to Dayton, where he entered business life as a shoemaker and as he prospered in the course of years he opened a retail shoe store and for a long period was a prominent representative of mercantile interests here. There came an interruption in his commercial career, however, when in response to a call for troops he served for one hundred days, joining the One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and during the period of his enlistment was stationed at Baltimore. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public and also a charter member of the German Pioneer Society. His political allegiance was given to the democracy and from 1875 until 1881 he served as a member of the board of education, while in 1883 he became assessor of his ward and occupied that position for fourteen years. He died October 22, 1903, and his wife passed away October 22, 1892. Both were members of the German Evangelical church. Mrs. Breidenbach bore the maiden name of Anna Triesch- man and was also a native of Germany. Their wedding was celebrated in 1848 and was blessed with eleven children: Elias, second vice president of American Federation of Painters and Paper Hangers; Conrad, an organ builder of Piqua, Ohio; Catherine, the wife of J. W. Fouts, of West Alexandria, Ohio; Mary, who became the wife of Lawrence Kirchner and died in March, 1894; J. W., a printer of Dayton ; Emma, who became the wife of P. M. Weaver, of Dayton, and died in Dayton, September 13, 1907 ; C. H .; Anna, the wife of Samuel Mon- neman of Dayton ; and three who died in infancy.
Of this family Dr. C. H. Breidenbach is the youngest son and has made for himself an enviable position as a medical practitioner in his native city. He pur- sued his education in the public schools here and entered business as an employe in the drug store of Dr. J. C. Reeve, Jr. Later he took up the systematic study of pharmacy and was graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy in 1888. He then became a student in the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in April, 1898. Immediately afterward he located for practice in Dayton, where he has since followed his chosen calling. He has done excellent work as a general practitioner and since 1899 he has acted as sur- geon for the Dayton fire department. He is also serving on the staff of the Miami Valley Hospital and is recognized as an able physician of wide general
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knowledge in all the branches of his profession. He was formerly well known as a prosperous druggist of the city, having in 1890 established a store at the corner of Fifth street and Jefferson. He attained particular skill as a chemist and his ability in that direction as well as his knowledge of the various properties of drugs have constituted splendid equipment for his medical practice. He is now serving as first vice president of the Market Savings Bank of Dayton.
On the 3d of April, 1893, Dr. Breidenbach was married to Miss Anna Dan- ner, a popular teacher, who for seven years had been connected with the fifth district school. They have two daughters, Isabel and Anna Marie. Dr. and Mrs. Breidenbach hold membership in the St. John's Lutheran church and he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the degrees of the Scot- tish Rite and the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Patriotic Order of Sons of America. His political allegiance is unfalteringly given to the republi- can party, which finds in him a stalwart advocate. In professional lines he is connected with the Montgomery County Medical Society, the Ohio State Med- ical Society and the American Medical Association. An interest in scientific research and broad humanitarianism, as well as a commendable desire to achieve financial success, are features in the professional work of Dr. Breidenbach and are bringing him to a prominent position in professional circles.
WILLIAM J. ROSENCRANS.
A review of the business life at Dayton at once brings to light the fact that is has a very large number of extensive and profitable industrial concerns and that it is one of the centers of the iron and steel trade of the country. With this great department of labor William J. Rosencrans is connected as the president of the American Foundry & Casting Company and the great enterprise is a monu- ment to the business ability, energy and laudable ambition of him whose name introduces this review.
A native of Fairfield county, Ohio, he was born upon a farm in the year 1870 and in his youthful days attended the district schools, participated in the pleas- ures of the playground or performed such tasks as were assigned him by parental authority. Thus the years passed until he reached the age of sixteen when, desirous of providing for his own support and making his start in the business world he went to Springfield, Ohio, where he began learning the molder's trade.
In the year 1891 he came to Dayton and entered the employ of the Brownell Company, representing that and other iron concerns until 1904 when he organ- ized and established his present business under the name of the Advanced Foun- dry Company. This was not an incorporated concern but was successfully con- ducted until 1907 when Mr. Rosencrans organized the company of which he is now president. When he arrived in Dayton he had but twenty-five cents. He possessed, however, what is far better than capital-the substantial qualities which are always the basis of success, such as industry, perseverance and deter- mination. He sought and secured immediate employment and from time to
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time his industry and his economy enabled him to add to his capital: When he and his partner organized the Advanced Foundry Company they had twenty- three hundred dollars between them and when they had erected the building they were several hundred dollars in debt and had nothing with which to pay workmen or the running expenses of the business. With firm and unflinching purpose they bent their energies toward the establishment of a trade, solicited orders, filled them according to contract time and established a reputation for reliability and enterprise which gained for them a constantly growing patronage. They now have a plant valued at fifty thousand dollars and their business is enjoying substantial growth and yielding good returns.
In 1893 Mr. Rosencrans was married in Springfield to Miss Sarah Condren and they now have one son, William R. Mr. Rosencrans belongs to St. Joseph's Catholic church and also to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a typical young business man of the present age, alert and energetic, recogniz- ing the advantages which the business world offers and utilizing his opportuni- ties with the result that he is steadily forging ahead. He allows no obstacles to bar his path if they can be overcome by persistent and honorable effort and already he has attained an enviable position in industrial circles.
C. D. SLAGLE, M. D.
Dr. C. D. Siagle, one of the prominent physicians of Centerville, was born August 29, 1871, in Sciotoville, near Portsmouth, Ohio, and is the son of Dr. Jacob and Margaret (Dodge) Slagle. The mother is still living in Portsmouth, but the father, who was born in Olpa, in the province of Baden, Germany, on the 20th of July, 1847, died January 29, 1904. He was but an infant when his par- ents, George and Mary (Schaffer) Slagle, came to this country. The former was born March II, ISII, in Baden, Germany, the son of Shriver Slagle, a Frenchman, and was educated in the land of his birth. He followed the life of a winemaker and farmer. In 1848 he disposed of all his business and came to this country, making his way immediately to Ohio. He settled in Scioto county and followed the life of a farmer until his death, which occurred March 27, 1877. His wife, who was born in Baden, Germany, December II, 1810, survived him something over six years, her death occurring on the anniversary of her birth, 1883. Dr. Jacob Slagle received his education in the common schools of Ohio, and his medical degree from the Miami Medical College in Cincinnati in 1877. He began the practice of his profession in Scioto county, where he remained for about twelve years locating in Portsmouth in 1890. Six years later he went to California but returned to Ohio in 1901, making his home in Troy, this state, until his death, which occurred January 29, 1904. For three years he served in the Union Army during the Civil war, enlisting in 1862 as a member of the For- ty-seventh Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. Seven children were born to him and his wife : C. D., Franklin J., Willard G., Clara B., Catherine M., Otto S. and Har- land E.
DR. C. D. SLAGLE
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C. D. Slagle received his early education in the common schools of the place of his birth and later attended the high school at Wheelersburg, Ohio, from which he was graduated. For the next two years he was taught by a German, Pro- fessor Neihbuer. In 1894 he entered the Starling Medical College, at Colum- bus, Ohio, from which he received his degree in 1897. Thereupon he joined his father in Portsmouth and for a year assisted him in caring for his patients. The work was heavy, however, and told upon the health of both men, so that they were compelled to leave and go to California, though the younger man remained here for a short time to close up the business and did not go west until 1898. He practiced there for a short while, but was not very favorably impressed with the country and returned to this state in July, 1898. Montgomery county has been the scene of his professional labors ever since.
On the 22d of April, 1896, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Slagle and Miss Mayme L. Bandau, of Portsmouth. She is the daughter of George and Mary (Stoll) Bandau. George Bandau was for ten years a minister of the United Brethren church until failing health compelled him to abandon that work for less strenuous labor in the commercial world. His wife died June 15, 1909. Dr. and Mrs. Slagle's union has been blessed with five children-Marian M., William L., Marie L., Ethelyne L., and George W. C. The two eldest are of an age to attend school. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are conspicuous in all its work.
Dr. Slagle enjoys fraternal relations with the Knights of Pythias in Center- ville, Ohio, and is also a member of several societies that look to the advancement of his profession, belonging to the Montgomery County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society, the Mississippi Valley Medical Association, and the American Medical Association. In the summer of 1902 he added to his pro- fessional efficiency by a post-graduate course in the New York Post Graduate Medical school and New York Lying-In Hospital. In the years that he has prac- ticed in Centerville he has made a reputation for discrimination and good judg- ment in the diagnosis of cases and the careful and conscientious care of patients. He is in consequence held in high regard and deservedly so.
GEORGE B. BOLENDER.
George B. Bolender, a gardener of Harrison township, Montgomery county, was born in this county, October 7, 1876. His paternal grandfather, Jonathan Bolender, came from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and was among the first settlers in this section of the county. He was at one time the holder of extensive tracts of land in and about the city of Dayton, to whose future development he contributed his share, and was accounted a good business man. When death called him he was buried in Woodland cemetery. In his youth he had married Miss Rebecca Dunbar, and of this union was born Joseph Bolender, the father of the subject of this sketch. He grected the light of day in this county and has passed the greater number of his years here. From the public schools he received the fundamentals of his education, and to gardening he has devoted
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his life and energies since returning from the Civil war, for he was one of brave men to whom the nation owes its preservation. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio Infantry, under Colonel Wallace, and served, with honor to himself and state, in the Army of the Potomac. He married Miss Elizabeth Crawford, who bore to him six children: George, the subject of this sketch ; Oliver ; Rebecca ; Lucy ; Walter and Lorette, both deceased.
George B. Bolender received from the common schools of Greencastle, In- diana, his formal education, but as with most boys who live on a farm the les- sons of school and work about the home place were prosecuted at the same time. The valiant patriotism that distinguished the grandfather and father seemed to have been transmitted to the son, for at the outbreak of the Spanish war, in 1898, George Bolender enlisted in the Third Ohio Volunteers. He did not see active service at this time, however, for he was kept at Tampa, Florida, until after the battle of Santiago, when he was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio. The desire to fight for his country was still strong, however, so he reenlisted in the regular army, in the Third United States Infantry, with whom he went to the Philippines under Colonel Page. There his services extended over three years, during which time he took active part in the engagements at Bintoa Church, San Yldefsorso-there were two skirmishes at this place-Mason Road and Riacona- bato, a battle which continued through four days. After his Philippine service he entered the Coast Artillery, where he did efficient work, and from which he was discharged with an excellent character.
In contrast to his years of military activity and uncertainty a home of his own seemed especially desirable, so upon his return to Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Bo- lender married Miss Bessie Shawen. Mrs. Shawen makes her home with her daughter, for the father has been dead some years. During his life he was a resident of this county and was well known as a hardworking, honorable man of acumen and ability in the business world. Mr. and Mrs. Bolender are now the parents of three sons: Lawton E., Clyde T. and Melton H.
Mr. Bolender is frequently one of the congenial spirits in the gatherings of the Red Men, and in the company of the other members of the local post of the Spanish War Veterans, revives the memories of those years of struggle. He is still a young man who has the best years of his life yet to live, and if one may judge from the record left by his earlier life there is every reason to be confident that the remaining span allotted to him will be filled with noble endeavor and work well done, which will be its own reward.
WALTER B. MOORE.
With splendid powers of organization and a faculty for coordinating forces in a way that produce maximum results, Walter B. Moore is well qualified for his present position as secretary of the Chamber of Commerce of Dayton. He was born in this city, February 22, 1875, and acquired his education in the public schools, which he attended to the age of fourteen, when he started out in the business world as an employe in a machine shop. Later he entered the Barney &
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Smith car shops, where he remained from 1890 until 1894, as an employe in the varnishing department, at the end of which time he became stock clerk for the National Cash Register Company and while thus employed took up the study of stenography and typewriting, which he learned, together with book- keeping. For eight years he remained with the National Cash Register Com- pany, serving in twelve different departments as successive promotions gained him transfers. His last service was that of secretary of the building committee and assistant to the engineer of maintenance and construction.
In 1905 he left that company and became secretary and commissioner for the Dayton Receivers & Shippers Association, which at that time had but two dollars in its treasury and a membership of thirty-three. Mr. Moore raised the membership to one hundred and twenty-five and continued to act as secretary until May 1, 1908, when the organization was merged into the Chamber of Commerce and designated as the Traffic Bureau of the Chamber of Com- merce. At that time Mr. Moore became secretary and general manager of the latter organization, which is his present connection. He is accomplishing excel- lent results in this direction for the benefit of the trade interests and commercial activity of the city and it would be difficult to find one in Dayton who is more thoroughly informed concerning business conditions here and the possibilities that lie before Dayton for the enlargement of her trade connections.
On the 3Ist of January, 1906, Mr. Moore was united in marriage in Dayton, to Miss Julia S. Cowan, and they have one daughter, Marjorie Ann. Mr. Moore belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has a military record, by reason of his enlistment for service in the Spanish-American war on the 5th of May, 1898, at which time he became cor- poral in Troop F, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. He was mustered out at Colum- bus in the following October. His troop was the first at Chickamauga, thence went to Lakewood, Florida, and afterward at Huntsville, Alabama. From that point the troop went to be mustered out at Columbus.
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