USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 54
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On the 27th of November, 1894, Judge Martin was united in marriage to Miss Laura G. Denlinger, of Dayton, Ohio, and they have three children : Eliza- beth L., born in December, 1896; Dobert U., born in May, 1899; and Richard S., born in September, 1903.
Judge Martin holds membership with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Masons, and the Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order. His friends find him a man of unfailing courtesy and of a genial, cordial disposition. An excellent presence, an earnest dignified manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and the ability to apply its principles accurately are factors in his commendable judicial service.
WILLIAM A. ULLERY.
William A. Ullery, an enterprising and successful agriculturist of Madison township, is the owner of a fine farm of eighty acres on the cast side of the Union and Liberty road, situated about two and a half miles north of Trotwood. His birth occurred December 22, 1862, on the old Ullery homestead about a mile and a half cast of Trotwood, his parents being Moses and Mary (Ehrstine) Ullery. The paternal grandparents were Moses and Susannah Ullery, the former being of German descent and probably coming from Pennsylvania. Moses Ullery, the father of our subject, has always made his home in Montgomery county and is now a retired agriculturist and prominent resident of Trotwood. His family
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numbered nine children, namely : Marion. Warren, William A., Charles, Amanda, Jane, Ellen, Laura and Emma. All living with the exception of Jane and Emma.
William A. Ullery obtained a good practical education in the schools of Madison township and when his time was not occupied with his text-books he assisted his father in the work of the home farm. On attaining his majority he decided to devote his time and energies to the pursuit to which he had been reared and is now the owner of a valuable and well improved tract of eighty acres in Madison township, known as the old Hyre farm, where he cultivates the various cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also raises some stock for his own use. His residence is a commodious and attractive two-story brick structure and in his farming operations he has won a measure of prosperity that entitles him to recognition among the substantial and progressive citizens of his native county.
On the ISth of September, 1887, Mr. Ullery was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Iler, a daughter of John Iler, who is a well known citizen and retired agriculturist. He is the father of two daughters, Emma; and Minnie, the wife of Mr. Ullery. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ullery has been born one son, Harley, who is attending school.
In his political views Mr. Ullery is a democrat and has served his fellow townsmen in the capacity of road commissioner. Though positions of public trust have frequently been tendered him, he has always declined them, finding that his private affairs demanded his entire time and attention. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Baptist church. in the work of which the members of his family take an active and helpful interest. His en- tire life has been passed in this locality and his fellow citizens know that his record has been characterized by fidelity to duty and by honor in all relations.
JOSEPH N. BOESCH.
Although a comparatively young man, Joseph N. Boesch is well known as a leading merchant tailor of Dayton and also as the president of the National Oil Pump & Tank Company. By reason of his business ability he has rapidly forged his way to the front ranks of the men of enterprise and diligence who are leaving their impress upon the commercial and industrial history of the city.
Dayton numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred De- cember 6, 1870. The public schools afforded him a part of his educational priv- ileges and he also attended private schools but was only thirteen years of age when he left the schoolroom. He went upon a farm in Montgomery county with a brother at the age of nine years. After remaining for three years amid rural surroundings he returned to Dayton and for a year was in school. Then he again spent six months upon the farm but the city proved the stronger attraction for him and for seven months he was employed in a Dayton planing mill. At the expiration of that period he learned the Journeyman tailor's trade and then Mer- chant Tailor's trade, and the ability which he gained enabled him in 1896 to em- bark in business on his own account, for as an employe he had been able to com- mand good wages and had also become thoroughly familiar with the business.
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For thirteen years he has now conducted a merchant tailoring establishment and has been accorded a liberal and increasing patronage. In 1905 he extended his efforts to another line, for on the organization of the National Oil Pump & Tank Company he was elected its president and has since remained as the chief execu- tive officer in control of its affairs. He is likewise a stockholder in the Charles A. P. Barrett Paint Company.
Mr. Boesch was married in Dayton, in 1896, to Miss Louisa J. Lukaswitz and unto them have been born five children : Horace J., William J., Joseph R., Kath- arine and Robert C. In his political views Mr. Boesch is a democrat but not bit- terly partisan or offensively aggressive. He votes for the candidates of the organization because he believes in its principles and feels that its platform con- tains the best elements of good government. In religious belief he is a Catholic and belongs to Emanuel church. He is also connected with the Knights of Co- lumbus and with the Gesellen Vereins-an association that indicates an acknowl- edgment and appreciation of his German ancestry and the privileges to which he is entitled by reason thereof.
LEOPOLD RAUH.
That Leopold Rauh occupies a position of distinction among the leading rep- resentative business men of Dayton is indicated by the fact that he is now serving as president of the Chamber of Commerce, the foremost organization of business men of this city. He has long been associated with commercial interests here, displaying in his life work an indefatigable industry and a spirit of enterprise which have carried him into important trade relations. Like a great majority of America's successful men, he made his start in commercial life in a most hum- ble capacity, but each upward step brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities and he has never feared to venture where favoring opportunity has pointed the way.
A native of Germany, Mr. Rauh was born in Rhenish Bavaria, January 7, 1850, and came to America in 1865, when a youth of fifteen years. He has since made his home in Dayton save for a brief period and on arriving here entered the employ of Rauh & Pollock, wholesale liquor dealers, at a salary of nine dol- lars per month. Soon afterward, however, he went to Pensacola. Florida, as bookkeeper, remaining there for a year and a half. On the expiration of that period he returned to Dayton and joined his father, E. Rauh, in the hide and tallow business, in which he has continued to the present time, the business being now carried on under the style of The E. Rauh & Sons Company. When a branch house was established in Indianapolis in 1873 Leopold Rauh went to that city to take charge, remaining for a year. The business there has since been continued with gratifying success. He returned to Dayton, however, to take an active place in the management of the business here, which in 1888 was incorpor- ated under the name of The E. Rauh & Sons Company with Leopold Rauh as president. He has so continued to this time (1909) and his executive ability and enterprising methods have been the basis of a most successful and growing busi-
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ness. He has not confined his efforts entirely to one line, however, but has oper- ated in other fields. In 1898 he became interested in the Egry Register Company of Dayton and in 1903 was elected to the presidency, in which position he has since continued.
In affairs relating to the upbuilding and progress of Dayton, Mr. Rauh has also taken an active and helpful part. He was a member of the board of education for two terms or four years, extending from 1888 until 1892, and labored earnestly to advance the standard of public instruction here. He is a member of Council No. 3 of the United Commercial Travelers of Dayton, belongs to the Standard Club and is a member of the Reformed Jewish Congregation. The salient feature of his life has been unfaltering application to the task or duty at hand, combined with keen insight in business affairs, enabling him to recognize and utilize his opportunities. He is recognized as a most forceful and capable business man.
SOUTHWESTERN OHIO GENERAL AGENCY OF THE NORTHWEST- ERN MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY.
This general agency was established in 1879, having been continuously main- tained with main offices in Dayton since that time. The business of the agency for the years recently passed averages from six hundred thousand dollars new insur- ance to one million dollars annually, the premiums received approximating three hundred thousand dollars per year. The management of the agency with the ex- ception of two years has been in charge since 1893 of J. M. Markham, general agent, assisted by W. L. Reynolds, Milner Brien, J. M. Kramer and Harvey Bil- enkin, special agents.
JOHN A. MURPHY.
John A. Murphy, president of the John A. Murphy Company of Dayton, was born in Canada in 1848 and came to the United States in 1862 as a youth of fourteen years. He established his home in Montgomery county and four years later took up his abode in Dayton, where he has since made his home. In 1870 he entered the employ of S. A. Dickey, a coal dealer and since that time has been connected with the coal trade, his industry and enterprise bringing him to a prominent position in connection with the business in this city. He remained with Mr. Dickey for seven and a half years, during which time he gained an in- timate knowledge of the coal trade and the different qualities of fuel. Carefully saving his earnings during that period he at length was enabled to engage in business on his own account in the fall of 1878, when he opened a retail coal yard and office. Gradually the business has developed as the years have gone by and in May, 1908, the present company was incorporated, the business now being successfully and extensively carried on under the name of the John A. Murphy
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Company. Since 1867 Mr. Murphy has also been interested with S. J. Patter- son in the Tom Corwin Mine in Jackson county. He is also a member of the sinking fund board of Dayton and is the owner of farming interests in Mont- gomery county. He thus has varied sources of income and his capable man- agement of his business affairs is bringing to him substantial success.
In 1889 Mr. Murphy was united in marriage in Dayton to Miss Mary Cooney, of Champaign county, Illinois, and they have three children: J. Francis, Mary Agnes and Clare. Mr. Murphy is a member of the St. Joseph church and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party at the polls but has never been an aspirant for office. His loyalty in citizenship and reliability in business stands as unquestioned facts in his career and in commercial lines he has steadily worked his way upward. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek his home and fortune in this portion of America where competition is greater but where advancement is more quickly secured than in the more conservative districts of Canada.
HENRY SOLLENBERGER.
Henry Sollenberger, numbered among the progressive and prosperous agricul- turists of Madison township, is the owner of an excellent farm of ninety-six acres just off the Union road, about two miles north of Trotwood. His birth occurred on the old homestead near Union, Montgomery county, on the 4th of August, 1865, his parents being John and Catharine (Peffley) Sollenberger. Jacob Sol- lenberger, the paternal grandfather, spent his entire life in Pennsylvania, success- fully carrying on farming pursuits in Lancaster county, that state. John Sollen- berger, the father of our subject, who was of German descent and was likewise a native of the Keystone state, was but a child when he accompanied his mother on her removal from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to this county, his father having died in Pennsylvania. Subsequently he made his way to Elkhart, In- diana, where he owned a farm but afterward returned to Montgomery county and here became very prominent and well known. Unto him and his wife were born eight children, namely: Jacob, John, David, Aaron, Mose, Elizabeth, William and Henry.
The last named acquired his education in the schools of his native county and in his youthful years divided his time between his studies and the work of the home farm. Carefully saving his earnings, he at length accumulated capital suf- ficient to enable him to purchase a farm of his own and about three years ago he bought the place of ninety-six acres in Madison township where he now resides. By reason of his untiring industry and well directed labors he has gained a grati- fying and commendable degree of prosperity in his agricultural interests and has an attractive and modern home as well as substantial and commodious outbuild- ings. He also raises some stock for his own use.
On the 7th of June; 1896, Mr. Sollenberger was united in marriage to Miss Clara Wagner, a daughter of John and Susanna (Olinger) Wagner, her father being a retired agriculturist residing in Trotwood, at the age of seventy-eight years.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sollenberger have been born three children: Corvin and Roy E., who are attending school; and John G. Religiously Mr. Sollenberger is identified with the German Baptist church, the teachings of which he exemplifies in his daily life. Having spent his entire life in this county, he is widely and favorably known within its borders and has gained the warm regard and esteem of many with whom he has come in contact.
JOHN HENRY DAVIS.
John Henry Davis, a retired butcher of West Carrollton, Ohio, was born on the 31st of March, 1846, in England, and is the son of John and Mary Anna (Wilkins) Davis. The father was a weaver, following his trade in Shepton Mallet, Somersetshire. There he occupied a prominent position in public affairs and became a man of more than moderate means. He never left his native home, but died and lies buried in the land of his fathers.
John Henry Davis was but nine years old when his father was taken from his family. He completed his education in the schools in his birthplace, and made preparations for a life of activity and usefulness. The United States seemed to offer him greater advantages in the way of advancement, so at the age of twenty- three he started upon his journey to the new country and the new life. He came direct to Dayton where he remained but a short time, however, and then went to Alexanderville, where he engaged in the butcher business. For two years he remained there and then came to West Carrollton. Here he opened a shop and in the years that followed built up a large trade, for he was a hard worker, a good manager and assiduous in supplying the wants of those who favored him with their patronage. To his own efforts alone are to be accredited the business successes which the years have brought him and every dollar that has found its way into his possession has come through his exertion of hand and brain.
On the 6th of April, 1869, Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Bennett, a daughter of Esau and Elizabeth (Moody) Bennett. Esau Bennett followed farming and when he came to this country from England located near Carlisle, in this county. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis. Anna, the eldest, is the wife of Robert Ohler and the mother of five children: Lester, Edith, Walter, Elizabeth and Mary Ellen. William, the second in the family, married Miss Dora Huber, who has borne him two children: Thomas and Dorothy, now deceased. Clifford B. married Miss Ellen Platt and is the father of a daughter, Mary Catherine, and a son, Clifford P. Susan, the fourth child born to Mr. and Mrs. Davis, married Roy McClellan, of West Carrollton. The two youngest children, Lily May and Earl A., have passed away, the former at the age of fourteen, the latter at the age of eight.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Davis are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is also identified with West Carrollton Lodge, No. 826, I. O. O. F .; and Miamisburg Lodge, No. 44, K. P. He is not only well known throughout the county but is held in the highest esteem, having the confidence and respect
JOHN II. DAVIS
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of all with whom he has been brought in contact either in business or social life. In 1901 he returned to England to visit his five brothers, who still reside in that country, it having been thirty-three years since he left his native land to come to the new world. After a pleasant visit of eight weeks he returned to America, content to make his home on this side of the Atlantic. He has taken quite an active and influential part in local politics and being elected on the citizens ticket to the office of treasurer of West Carrollton, he acceptably filled that position for two years.
ALBERT H. KEMPER.
Albert H. Kemper, who as president of the Brownell Company, is well known in business circles in Dayton, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, May 21, 1868, but during his infancy was brought to the city of his present residence by his parents, William Hughey and Lizzie M. (Connolly) Kemper. The former was born in Indianapolis April 14, 1841, and was a son of John M. and Elizabeth (Hughey) Kemper, natives of Kentucky and of Dayton, Ohio, respectively. The Hughey family was numbered among the first settlers of this city, the name of William Hughey, the great-grandfather, being included on the list of the pioneers. John M. Kemper was for many years a contractor and builder of In- dianapolis, where he died in 1878, while his widow afterward came to Dayton to live with her son, William H. Kemper.
While spending his youthful days in Indianapolis William H. Kemper mas- tered the branches of learning taught in the public schools. He entered business life in 1857, working at the last maker's trade in his native city until 1861, when he put aside business and personal considerations to respond to the country's call for military aid and joined General Lew Wallace' "Zouaves"-the Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
In 1862 he became a member of the Seventieth Indiana Regiment under Colonel, afterward General Benjamin Harrison, with which he remained until the close of hostilities, having in the meantime participated in the Atlanta campaign and the march to the sea under Sherman. He was at Raleigh, North Carolina, when the news of Lee's surrender was received and with the army he proceeded northward to Washington, D. C., there participating in the most celebrated mili- tary pageant ever seen in the western hemisphere.
After receiving his honorable discharge Mr. Kemper returned to Indianap- olis and again secured a situation where he had formerly been employed, although a change in the ownership had occurred during his absence. In 1869, however, he became a resident of Dayton, becoming foreman of the boot-tree department in the last manufacturing house of Crawford & Coffman. He remained with that house through various changes in partnership and was made assistant super- intendent when the owners were Crawford, McGregor & Canby. Further pro- motions came in July, 1895, when he was made superintendent of the company's plant at Gaylord, Michigan, and on the incorporation of the business in March, 1896, he became a director and assistant superintendent of the Crawford, Mc- Gregor & Canby Company of Dayton.
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In 1861 Mr. Kemper wedded Lizzie M. Connolly, of Indianapolis, who was born in Portarlington, Ireland, and came to this country in 1855. Their family numbered five children, but Frank E. died in 1875 in his ninth year. The others are Albert H. ; William R. of Dayton ; Ida E., now the wife of Thomas Wilson ; and John Sanford, with the Brownell Manufacturing Company.
The eldest son, Albert H. Kemper, acquired his education in St. Joseph's parochial school and St. Mary's Institute of Dayton but at the age of sixteen years put aside his text-books and entered the employ of W. P. Calahan, a manu- facturer of machinery, with whom he continued for two years. He then became a clerk with the Brownell Company and has risen step by step to the position of chief executive officer, serving as its president since 1901. The statement of this fact alone is proof of his business ability and of the confidence of his associates and colleagues.
In 1892 in Dayton Albert H. Kemper was married to Miss Margaret Cronin and they have one son, Edward William. They are communicants of St. Joseph's church and Mr. Kemper belongs to the Dayton City Club, the Knights of Colum- bus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. His political support is given to the republican party at the polls, but otherwise he is not active in political circles. His attention and energies are fully occupied by his constantly increasing business duties, as the trade of the Brownell Manufacturing Company increases, for this establishment has for some years occupied a foremost position among the im- portant productive industries of Dayton.
LEWIS G. REYNOLDS.
The business circles of Dayton embrace almost every line of activity known in commercial and industrial fields and in control of these are men who stand as a high type of the representatives of trade relation-men who are forceful, aggressive and possess much of the initiative spirit. To this class belongs Lewis G. Reynolds, president of the "Aertite" Carton Company of Dayton.
A native of Bellefontaine, Ohio, he was born in 1858 but was only two years of age when in 1860 his father, L. D. Reynolds, removed with his family to Washington, D. C., where he was a government official in the treasury depart- ment. For six years thereafter Lewis G. Reynolds remained in the national capital and then came to Dayton, where he continued his education in the public schools until he put aside his text-books at the age of eighteen years. At that time he entcred his father's commercial job-printing establishment and bent his energies to mastering the business in detail. He desired to be thorough in every particular and his energy and perseverance were manifest in the capable manner in which he solved intricate business problems connected with the trade. In due course of time successive promotions brought him to the position of general manager when the business was incorporated as the Reynolds & Reynolds Company. In 1893 he severed his connection with the company and entered the employ of the Carter-Crume Company, with which he was associated for five years or until 1898, when he organized the Reynolds-Easton Company to manufacture
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advertising novelties. This in 1903 was merged into the "Aertite" Carton Com- pany and Mr. Reynolds was elected its president. His long experience in a position demanding executive force and capable management well qualify him for the duties that devolve upon him as the head of this concern.
In 1886 in Dayton was celebrated the marriage of Lewis G. Reynolds and Miss Jeanette H. Lytle and their three children are: Mary L., Lewis Gardner and Janet. In his political views Mr. Reynolds has long been a stalwart republi- can, actively interested in the party and doing all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. He never aspired to public office but consented to serve as a member of the school board from 1892 for four suc- cessive terms. His life is in harmony with his profession as a member of the Third Street Presbyterian church and he belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Dayton City Club and the Country Club, of which he is vice president. One work of his life, especially worthy of mention, is the fact that he was the founder and organizer of "The Carnation League of America," instituted as an annual memorial to the late William McKinley and dedicated to national patriotism. This movement had at its head as trustees: Hon. George B. Cortelyou, Washington, D. C .; Justice William R. Day, Canton; Hon. David R. Francis, St. Louis ; Hon. M. A. Hanna, Cleveland; Dr. William R. Harper, University of Chicago; Hon. Myron T. Herrick, Cleveland; Alexander H. Re- vell, Chicago; Hon. Ryerson Ritchie, Cleveland; and Mr. Lewis G. Reynolds, Dayton, Ohio. Something of the purpose of the organization is indicated in the following extract from the original promulgation of the institution :
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