USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 49
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In political circles Mr. Moore is also well known, being recognized as one of the local leaders of the republican party and is now serving for the second term as councilman at large, being elected on the republican ticket. He is actuated in all that he does by a public-spirited devotion to the general good and his labors have won for him substantial recognition in business and political circles, his fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and the value and effectiveness of his labors.
WILLIAM H. KIMMEL.
William H. Kimmel, starting in business life as a messenger in the Mer- chants National Bank is now holding the responsible position of secretary of the Mutual Home & Savings Association in Dayton. He was born here November 22, 1865, and his youthful days passed uneventfully in the pursuit of an educa- tion and in the enjoyment of the pleasures common to the boys of the locality and period. After passing through the consecutive grades in the public schools of Dayton he entered the Miami Commercial College, of this city, from which
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he was graduated in the class of 1884. Thus equipped for the duties of a prac- tical business life he entered the Merchants National Bank as messenger and was employed there for a year. In 1885 he came to the Mutual Home & Savings Association as receiving teller, and in 1891 was promoted to the position of bookkeeper, in which capacity he served until 1894, when he was elected secre- tary of the company and is now active in the control of its affairs, managing his department in a most thoroughgoing, systematic and progressive manner.
On the 26th of December, 1888, in Dayton, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Kimmel and Miss Julia Ruckhaber, and unto them have been born five chil- dren: Walter R., Alfred William, Herbert Charles, Helen Louise, and Marie Adelaide. Mr. and Mrs. Kimmel hold membership in the Wayne Avenue Evan- gelical church and are interested in its work and contribute liberally to its sup- port. Mr. Kimmel is a republican in politics but has never been an aspirant for office, for on the contrary he has concentrated his energies upon his business affairs and it has been through his close application and fidelity that he has won successive promotions to the present position of responsibility which he now occupies.
REV. AMOS HYRE.
Rev. Amos Hyre, who for the past twenty-seven years has preached the gospel as a minister of the German Baptist church in Madison township, is a worthy representative of one of the old pioneer families of Montgomery county. His birth occurred in Madison township, this county, on the 14th of March, 1846. The grandfather, Wesley Hyre, who was a native of North Carolina, came to Madison township when this section of the country was almost en- tirely covered with timber, which he had to clear away before the land could be utilized for farming purposes. He lived to attain a ripe old age and passed away in the faith of the German Baptist church, of which he was a valued and devoted member. He and his wife reared the following children: Wesley, Solo- mon, Isaac, Moses, Abraham, Absalom, Daniel, Belinda and Nancy.
Moses Hyre, the fourth son of Wesley Hyre and the father of our subject, was born in Madison township, Montgomery county, March 19, 1819. By trade he was a bricklayer and also conducted a sawmill in association with his brother Absalom. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca Stoner, was a na- tive of Frederick county, Maryland, and a daughter of William and Elizabeth Stoner. By this union there were born the following children : William, Amos, Sarah and Susan. Subsequent to his marriage Moses Hyre settled on a tract of land in Madison township, where he spent his remaining days. being called to his final rest when seventy-three years of age. He was likewise a faithful and consistent member of the German Baptist church and was widely recognized as a substantial, respected and highly esteemed citizen of his native county.
Rev. Amos Hyre acquired his education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage at the age of twenty-one years. Soon afterward he took up his abode on his present farm of seventy-six acres in Madison township, which at that time was only partially cleared. As
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the years have gone by, however, he has transformed the place into a model farming property by systematic cultivation and the erection of substantial and attractive buildings.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life the Rev. Hyre chose Miss Mary Denlinger, whose birth occurred in Madison township, September 14, 1843, her parents being Abraham and Margaret (Miller) Denlinger. Unto them were born five children who are yet living, namely : Jennie ; Edwin E., who wedded Miss Susie Eichelberger, by whom he has the following children: Emma, Edith, Orville, Sylvia, Jessie and Russell; Wilmer A. who married Miss Pearl Enby and has two children, Clifford G. and Cecil I; Maizie, who is the wife of David Moore and has a daughter, Mary V .; and Orphia M., who is at home. Rev. and Mrs. Hyre also had several other children who are now deceased.
Since December, 1881, Rev. Hyre has served as a deacon in the German Bap- tist church, while since the 28th of April, 1882, he has been minister thereof, his labors proving a potent element in the moral advancement of the community. He is one of the best known and most highly respected residents of Mont- gomery county, where he has made his home throughout his entire life, and is honored and esteemed not alone for his devotion and zeal in spreading the gos- pel but also for his many sterling characteristics as a man and citizen.
J. FRANK KIEFABER.
The mention of business interests and enterprise in Dayton at once brings to mind several important commercial and industrial concerns, among which is that of the Barney-Smith Manufacturing Company, of which J. Frank Kiefaber is now secretary and treasurer. To control interests of such extent and importance require men who possess keen discernment, unfaltering enterprise and the strong determination that enables one to persevere even in the face of seemingly in- surmountable obstacles and difficulties. These qualities are characteristics of Mr. Kiefaber, who started upon life's journey in Dayton on the 28th of October, 1867.
As a public-school student he mastered the common branches of English learning and then when he put aside his text-books he secured a position as yard clerk with the Dayton & Ironton Railroad Company, of this city, remaining in that employ for three years. He next entered the service of the Standard Oil Com- pany at Des Moines, Iowa, where he continued for two years, after which he returned to Dayton in 1891 and entered the employ of the Barney & Smith Com- pany as bookkeeper. His ready appreciation of the opportunities of the busi- ness, the thoroughness with which he discharged his duties and the capability which he displayed won him recognition in successive promotions and thus he climbed steadily upward until he became secretary and treasurer of this com- pany, which is one of the most important operating in industrial lines in Dayton, theirs being the most extensive car works west of the Alleghanies and one of the largest manufacturing concerns of the state.
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In 1891 Mr. Kiefaber was married in Dayton to Miss Florence E. Gilbert, a daughter of Philip E. Gilbert, but she died in October, 1907. The children born to them are: J. Gilbert, Erminie G. and Rollin D. The family are well known socially and have the warm regard of many friends who extend to them the cor- dial hospitality of their homes.
In his political views Mr. Kiefaber is a republican and keeps well versed on the questions and issues of the day. He is opposed to anything like misrule in municipal affairs and does not hesitate to cast an independent ballot if he feels that the occasion demands. He is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity, has attained a high degree in the Scottish Rite and has also crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Dayton City Club, Dayton Bicycle Club and Country Club, nor is he unmindful of the higher, holier duties of life, his interest in religious work being indicated in his membership in the First Baptist church. Possessing a fine tenor voice, he devotes this talent mostly to church and Masonic work and has always taken an active interest in the Philharmonic Society. He is also a member of the Dutch Club, a musical organization composed of ten of the best male voices in the city. He has been almost a lifelong resident of Dayton and those who have known him longest are numbered among his stanchest friends, a fact which in- dicates that his life has been worthily spent.
JOHN WALKER NIXON.
John Walker Nixon, who holds a prominent place among the representative citizens of Dayton, Ohio, is superintendent of the Montgomery county infirmary and has, during the last few years, Leen a conspicuous figure in political circles of this city. He was born in Warren county, this state, July 24, 1859, a son of James Riley and Mary Ann (Doan) Nixon, both natives of that county. The father devoted his entire life to the occupation of farming.
Reared under the parental roof, John Walker Nixon acquired his education in the common schools of his native county He continued to make his home in Warren county until 1890, when he removed with his wife and daughter to Dayton, where he has since resided. Here he became identified with the railway interests of the city and was thus connected in various capacities for nineteen years, or until the Ist of February, 1909. when he was elected superintendent of the Montgomery county infirmary. Although he has been incumbent in office for but a short time, he has already proven that the trust reposed in him by his fellowmen has not been misplaced, for aside from the strict performance of the duties of this office he also devotes considerable attention to humanitarian condi- tions.
On January 24, 1882, Mr. Nixon was united in marriage to Miss Eva F. Wass, a daughter of John and Mary Wass, of Warren county, and unto this union was born one child, Zella. The parents of Mrs. Nixon were natives of Eng- land, and after arriving in this country Mr. Wass was identified with railroad in- terests, working for the Pan Handle Company for forty-two years. Mrs. Nixon,
J. W. NIXON
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who occupied the position of matron of the infirmary until her death, which occurred March 22, 1909, was a lady of many fine traits of character and by the capable way in which she managed the affairs under her direction proved a most valuable assistant to her husband. Since the death of Mrs. Nixon, the daughter, Zella, has acted as matron.
Mr. Nixon is an active and helpful member of the Christian church, the teachings of which he exemplifies in his daily life. His wife was also affiliated with this congregation. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has been a stalwart supporter of the democratic party and for the past four years has been a most active and prominent figure in local politics, doing espe- cially effective work among the railroad men. His efforts have been a force toward furthering the influence of his party in the community and the position which he now holds has come to him as an acknowledgment on the part of his fellow citi- zens, not only of the services performed by him but also of his own personal worth and honorable, upright manhood.
ORIEN P. SWARTZEL.
Orien P. Swartzel, who is a teacher in the schools of district No. 1I A, Har- rison township, and the owner of seven acres of land on the Frederick pike, was born October 5, 1851, in Sunbury, near Germantown, Ohio, and is the son of Abraham and Margaret (Craig) Swartzel. The paternal grandfather came front Saxony, Germany, and located in this county, where he was among the early settlers. The father was born in Montgomery county, and after he had reached man's estate removed to German township, this county. His interests were those of a farmer and he cultivated with creditable success a tract of seventy acres of good land. Six children were born to him, of whom our subject was the third, the two older being William and James.
Orien P. Swartzel received his introduction into the field of learning in the schools of Preble county. Graduating from these, he went to the college at Lebanon, Ohio, pursuing courses there through 1870, 1871, 1872 and 1873. In the last year he received his well earned degree. After leaving college he took up teaching and to this profession has devoted all his time and energy since, during a period of thirty-seven years. The schools of both Preble and Mont- gomcry countics have profited by his devotion to his profession, and it is hopcd that he will not soon carry his labors to other fields.
In May, 1877 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Swartzel to Miss Hattie Fecrer, daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Ward) Fccrer. Only one child, Guy D., has been born to the couple. Hc was graduated from Otterbein University, and is a young man of finc ability, who is following in the footsteps of his father. The family give their support to the Methodist church and in their daily lives uphold its teachings.
Mr. Swartzel is an active member of the Vandalia Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is regular in attendance at its meetings. He also takcs an efficient interest in the social and philanthropic work of the society and is ever
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eager to promote the welfare of his fraternal brothers. He has done a great deal in raising the standard of the schools of Montgomery county, and of the professional services he has rendered the community the people are duly appre- ciative. His efforts are met with good-will and encouragement, and it is the universally expressed wish that the schools may continue to profit by his guid- ance. The small farm which Mr. Swartzel may sometimes be seen cultivating himself during leisure hours, affords him a pleasant relaxation from the duties of the school room.
EDWIN E. HYRE.
Edwin E. Hyre, a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Madi- son township has spent his entire life within the borders of Montgomery county. He is a young man of unfaltering enterprise and in all of his farm work manifests a most progressive spirit. He was born February 10, 1871, and is a grandson of Moses and Rebecca (Stoner) Hyre and a son of Amos and Mary (Denlinger) Hyre. The father is a man of broad and liberal education, who for many years devoted his life to the work of the ministry but is now retired, making his home in Madison township. Unto him and his wife were born nine children: Willis, deceased ; Jennie; Edwin E .; Anna, also deceased; Wilmer; Clarence, who has passed away ; Sylvia, who has also departed this life; Mazie; and Orpha.
In the grammar schools Edwin E. Hyre pursued his education, dividing his time between the mastery of the branches therein taught and the work of the home farm. Lessons of industry, economy and perseverance were early im- pressed upon his mind and have borne rich fruit in later years. About two years ago he came into possession of his present farm, which is a tract of land of eighty acres in Madison township, situated on the short road between the Salem and Free pike about three miles northeast of Trotwood. The farm lies on the west side of the road and is a well developed tract of land, Mr. Hyre having brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. He follows farming according to modern ideas, understanding the scientific as well as the practical side of the work, and upon his place is a nice home, together with commodious and substantial outbuildings that furnish ample shelter for grain and stock. His farm machinery, too, is modern and the work of the fields is greatly facilitated thereby. He produces the cereals best adapted to climatic conditions here and studies the nature of the soil that he may know what crops are best adapted thereto and when he may enrich the soil through the rotation of crops or the judicious use of fertilizers.
On the 4th of October, 1896, Mr. Hyre was united in marriage to Miss Susie A. Eichelberger, a daughter of Alexander and Hannah (Beeghly) Eichelberger. The father came to Ohio from Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and was one of the leading farmers in his section of the county. He was a man of forceful character and marked individuality and his salient qualities were such as every- where command respect. To Mr. and Mrs. Hyre were born six children: Emma
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A., Edith B. and Orville C., all attending school; Sylvia H .; Jesse W .; and Rus- sell A.
The family residence is a nice dwelling situated in the midst of a well kept farm which shows painstaking care on the part of the owner. Mr. Hyre is very practical in all of his work, seeming to realize with great readiness the value of any opportunity and to use it to the best advantage. He belongs to the German Baptist church and is one of its deacons. In the support of the church he con- tributes liberally and his worth is widely acknowledged, for all who know him trust him and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree.
HARMAN H. ROGGE.
The German-American element in our citizenship has long been an impor- tant one. For centuries the Teutonic race through emigration has carried the seeds of civilization into new districts and other lands have profited by the learn- Ing, culture and business experience of the sons of the fatherland. Mr. Rogge proudly claims Germany as the land of his nativity and yet there is no citizen of Dayton more loyal to the interests and the institutions of this free country of ours. His work has been a substantial factor in the improvement and development of Dayton, especially in the field of building operations and in industrial lines, and he is now prominently before the public as president of the Zwick & Green- wald Wheel Company.
A native of Hanover, Germany, Mr. Rogge was born September 2, 1845, of the marriage of Harman and Angel (Mayrose) Rogge. The father, who fol- lowed the occupation of farming in support of himself and his family, is now deceased. The subject of this review was the second in a family of eight chil- dren and in his native land was afforded good educational privileges as a public- school student and also through the instruction of private tutors. He was eight- een years of age when he bade adieu to his friends in his native country prepara- tory to sailing for the new world in company with an uncle who was a citizen of Dayton and believed that the business opportunities on this side of the Atlantic were superior to those of the old world.
Harman Rogge was willing to take advantage of these chances for the bet- terment of his financial condition and when he arrived in Dayton he secured em- ployment in the Blanchard & Brown Wheel Works, now owned and conducted by the S. N. Brown Company. He there remained for several years, winning promotion from time to time, after which he entered the service of the Barney & Smith Car Works. Fifteen years passed in the employ of others, after which he started in business on his own account, wishing that his labors might more directly benefit himself rather than that others should reap the profits of his in- dustry and enterprise. From the beginning the new undertaking was successful and after continuing in the retail trade for a time he extended the scope of his activities by establishing a wholesale department which he also conducted for a few years. He has been connected with the Zwick & Greenwald Wheel Com- pany since 1887, in which year he purchased stock in the enterprise, his labors
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since that time constituting a force in the growth and expansion of the business. Its financial strength has increased several fold while the output has been greatly enlarged to meet the growing demands of the trade. For some years Mr. Rogge has been at the head as president and general manager and the wisdom of his judgment and his capable control are manifest in the growing success of the house. Aside from his operations in this connection he has been closely asso- ciated with building interests, having erected more than two score dwellings in Dayton and thus added to the substantial improvement of the city.
The pleasant home life of Mr. Rogge had its foundation in his marriage in 1872 to Miss Augusta Kropp, a native of Dayton and a daughter of Henry Kropp. Eleven children were born unto them, of whom eight survive. Mr. Rogge and his family are members of the German Lutheran church and for a long period he has served as one of the church trustees and as a member of the official board. To its support he contributes generously and in its different activities he is much interested. His political views are in accord with the principles of the democracy and his official service is limited to one term as a member of the city council, for he has ever preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs which, capably conducted, have brought him signal success. His record is an illustration of the fact that the circumstances of birth and education have little to do with molding a man's character or shaping his success.
GEORGE KELLEY.
George Kelley, a farmer of Harrison township, and the owner of twenty acres of excellent land on the Neff road, was born February 3, 1850, in Montgomery county, the son of Adam and Eliza (MacLean) Kelley. The father was the first of his family to leave his native land of Scotland. He came to Dayton, Ohio, where he was among the early settlers, for at the time of his advent there were but a very few houses where are now busy business blocks and streets bor- dered by comfortable homes. He was a distiller by trade and was accounted a good citizen, for he did his share in developing Dayton's resources and in pro- moting the change that has transpired from that day to this.
From the schools of this county George Kelley gleaned all that they could give in the way of knowledge, which served as the educational foundation upon which his subsequent life has been built. From his youth on all his efforts have been turned to bringing forth from the soil what it would give forth, and tempt- ing it to ever richer production each year. He has been loyal to that piece of land which gave him his first start in life, for during twenty-eight years he has lived on what is known as the Kennedy farm. It was to this place that he brought his bride, Miss Jennie S. Stutze, the daughter of Joseph and Eliza (Dies) Stutze. This marriage was blessed with six children: Frank, who married Miss Emma Beason and is the father of a son Howard; Clara, now deceased, who was the wife of Morris Stout and the mother of four children, George, Francis, Everett and one who died in infancy; Effie, the wife of John Neff and the mother of two children. Jennie and Dorothy; Charles, who married Miss Blanche Pippinger
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and has three children, Ora, Ruth and Richard; Roy, who married Miss Goldie Dyer; and Grafton, who lives at home.
On the 4th of October, 1904, Mr. Kelley was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary Moeller, widow of Henry Moeller. In her maidenhood she was Miss Mary Nietert and is the daughter of Frederick and Sophia (Pansing) Nietert. Her father is a resident of Harrison township, where he was one of the early settlers, coming direct to this county from Germany, the land of his birth. His father, Henry Nietert, who in his youth had married Miss Mary Bornabal, fol- lowed his son Frederick to America and lived on the old Nietert farm until his death. By her first marriage Mrs. Kelley had seven children: Amanda, the wife of Oliver Dyer, and the mother of Dona, John H. and David R .; Ida, the wife of William Eickhoff, and the mother of Vanerva, Mabel, Mazella Montey, Gilbert, Lavetta, Bernice, Lorena and Sylvia ; Leola, the wife of Walter Lindsley and the mother of one child, Evangeline; Dora, the wife of Jacob Heinz and the mother of one daughter, Treva; Ethel, the wife of Harry Schaffer, and the mother of Edward, Norma and Dorothy; Lily, deceased; Bess, who married Charles C. Brown and is the mother of a son, Melvin.
Mr. Kelley, with his family, belongs to the United Brethren church, and his life bears evidence of his adherence to its teachings. He also is actively identi- fied with all its work, both social and otherwise. He is a man capable of a great . deal of hard labor, and this capacity for work, united with sound judgment and good management, has won for him a large measure of success in the field of life he has chosen.
WILLIAM STROOP.
William Stroop, who is conducting an extensive and prosperous business as a dealer in leaf tobacco in Dayton, is numbered among the native sons of this state who, by reason of its pulsing industrial activities, have been drawn from the small towns to the city. His birth occurred in Springboro, Warren county, Ohio, May 17, 1861, and the period of his youth was passed upon the home farm, where he early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, assisting in the work of the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. During that period he also attended the country schools to the age of eighteen years, after which he left the old home and spent several years at Trebein Station in Greene county, Ohio, where he was engaged in distilling as general utility man for F. C. Trebein.
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