USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 57
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At the close of his military service Colonel Corwin returned to Dayton and took up the study of law in the office of his father, while later he continued his reading as a law student with the well known firm of Taft, Sage & Haacke, of Cincinnati, at the same time attending the Cincinnati Law School, from which he was graduated in 1866. The same year he was admitted to the bar and, re- turning to Dayton, opened an office for practice, entering into partnership with his brother Quincy Corwin. The following year he was elected city solicitor of
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Dayton and was reelected in 1869, serving in that office for two terms or four years.
In the meantime Colonel Corwin had become recognized as a strong and influential factor in political circles, becoming one of the leading workers in the ranks of the republican party. In 1873 he was elected to the state senate, where he served for one term and then declined a second nomination. He afterward twice served as city solicitor by appointment and his official record was at all times characterized by prompt and businesslike discharge of the duties of the office but his aspirations were never in political lines and in more recent years he has preferred to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs.
About 1880 Colonel Corwin became secretary of the Fifth Street Railway Company on its organization and subsequently was elected president of that com- pany. In 1893 the City Railway Company was organized and the Third Street and Fifth Street Railways, the Dayton & Soldiers' Home and Green lines of the city were consolidated under the new management. Colonel Corwin was active in forming and executing the plans leading to this result and was elected to the presidency of the company, in which capacity he was retained, displaying marked ability in administrative direction and executive control, until his retirement June 8, 1909. The interests of the company have ever been managed in accord- ance with the most progressive ideas of urban transportation and the business views and judgment of Colonel Corwin were ever an influencing factor in the company's affairs.
In 1895 in South Dakota Colonel Corwin was married to Miss Jessie Bitzer. He belongs to Old Guard Post, G. A. R., of Dayton and to the Loyal Legion, thus maintaining his interest in military affairs. He is also connected with the Dayton City Club and the Bicycle Club and is recognized as an ardent republican although he takes no active part in politics at the present time. Correctly judg- ing his own capacities and powers and recognizing also the possibilities and the limitations of others he has been enabled to surround himself with an able corps of assistants in his business life and has wrought along lines that have brought him substantial results. He is president of the Cooper Insurance Company and a director of the Dayton Gas Light Company.
LOUIS L. WEHNER.
Louis L. Wehner, secretary and treasurer of the Dayton Breweries Company, was born in the city which is still his home on the 26th of December, 1865. His youthful days were here passed and his education was acquired in the public schools but at the age of sixteen years he put aside his text-books and learned the carpenter's trade which he followed for three years. In 1888 on the organi- zation of the Schantz & Schwind Brewery he became its bookkeeper, having in the meantime pursued courses of study at the night session of the Miami Com- mercial College, leading to his graduation with the class of 1887. He was thus well qualified for the duties which he assumed in connection with the newly organized brewery, with which he remained as bookkeeper for seven years when,
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upon the death of L. A. Schwind, he was made collector and so served until Au- gust, 1900.
At that time Mr. Wehner purchased the Pioneer Brewery at the corner of Wayne avenue and Hickory street and at once erected a new brewing plant at the corner of Concord and Scovil street. There he began business in January, 1902, making his first sales from the new plant in March, 1902, at the same time conducting the Pioneer Brewery. Gradually he has extended his interests, having in 1901 purchased the John F. Oehlschlager Bottling Works and in the same year purchased the Alther Ale Brewery, after which he dismantled the last two and also the Pioneer Brewery and concentrated his energies upon other interests. On the Ist of March, 1904, the Wehner Brewing Company was merged with the Dayton Breweries Company and Mr. Wehner was chosen secretary and treasurer. He is also vice president and treasurer of the Dayton Base Ball Club Company, which he and Adam Schantz with others bought out.
On the 7th of August, 1888, Mr. Wehner was married in Dayton to Miss Clara E. Linnemann and they have two children: Erma J. and Adiel. The family residence is at 542 West Second street, Dayton, and their summer home is a bungalow at Seven Knolls. Mr. Wehner is well known in social circles and club life. He holds membership with the Elks and Owls, the Cosmopolitan, the Marquette and the Dayton Gymnastic Clubs and lodge No. 3 of the United Commercial Travelers. He is also a member of the Sacred Heart church. In his business he displays excellent executive force and strong powers of organiza- tion and his well formulated plans are manifest in the excellent results which have attended his efforts.
WILLIAM C. MENDENHALL, M. D.
Dr. William C. Mendenhall, who since April, 1891, has practiced medicine in Trotwood, is numbered among the leading and successful representatives of the profession in Montgomery county. He was born in Darke county, Ohio, September 15, 1858, a son of Samuel and Catharine (Teeter) Mendenhall. His grandfather, Marmaduke Mendenhall, was one of the early settlers of Preble county, this state, where he passed away. Samuel Mendenhall, the father of our subject, followed the profession of school teaching in early manhood and later became a merchant at Woodington, Darke county. His family numbered eight children, namely: Hannah E., deceased; Susan M .; Franklin F., who is a resident of Edwards, Indiana ; William C., of this review ; Samuel M .; Mary C .; and Calvin C. and Alvin L., twins, the latter being an attorney at Decatur, Illinois.
William C. Mendenhall attended the country schools near Woodington, Darke county, and during the periods of vacation worked on various farms in the neighborhood. When but sixteen years of age he began teaching school and was this engaged for seventeen years, acting as superintendent of schools in West Manchester, New Madison and Clarksville during the last seven years of his connection with educational interests. It was at the last named place that he took up the study of medicine, reading under the direction of Dr. Garland, of
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Clarksville, while subsequently he entered the Medical College of Ohio of which institution he is a graduate. In April, 1891, he came to Trotwood, where he has since prosecuted his profession with gratifying success, his skill and ability in his chosen calling being attested by the liberal and growing patronage that is accorded him. He is an active member of the Montgomery County Medi- cal Society, the Ohio State Medical Association and the American Medical As- sociation, thus keeping in close touch with the onward march of the fraternity.
On the 20th of December, 1884, Dr. Mendenhall was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. Hapner, of West Sonora, Ohio, a daughter of James B. and Mary (Fleck) Hapner, the former being a very prominent agriculturist. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Mendenhall were born two children, as follows: Opal, who is deceased ; and Russell L., a high school student.
Fraternally Dr. Mendenhall is connected with the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 510, of Dayton, Ohio, the Modern Woodmen of America, No. 7939, of Trot- wood, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle, No. 115, of Dayton. He and his family are consistent and faithful members of the Christian church and have a large circle of friends who hold them in the highest esteem.
WEBSTER W. SHUEY.
One of the best known, most prominent and successful law firms of Dayton is that of Rowe, Shuey, Matthews & James. The ability of him whose name introduces this review has contributed to the enviable reputation which the firm enjoys. He is, moreover, entitled to representation in this volume as one of the county's native sons, his birth having occurred in Germantown, Ohio, March II, 1849. He represents one of the old families of the county, his grandparents living here during the early part of the nineteenth century. His father, William A. Shuey, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1822 and retained his resi- dence here throughout his entire life. He lived in Germantown for a consider- able period but in 1851 removed with his family to Dayton.
Webster W. Shuey was at that time but two years of age and in the schools of this city he largely acquired his education but supplemented his preparation for the bar by a year's study in the Harvard Law School. On the 26th of May, 1871, he was admitted to practice in the courts of Ohio and located in German- town, where he remained for a year. Returning to Dayton he then entered the law office of Gunckel & Rowe and so continued for several years after which he became a member of the firm of Gunckel, Rowe & Shuey. On the retirement of the senior partner the firm name of Rowe & Shuey was assumed and on the 7th of January, 1907, L. W. James was admitted while on the Ist of April, 1907, the present firm of Rowe, Shuey, Matthews & James was formed. Since ad- mitted to practice in the courts of Ohio Mr. Shuey has proved his worth in the conduct of important litigated interests, preparing always for defense as well as for attack and thus he is never surprised by the position of the opponent. His knowledge of law and precedent are salient forces in his success while in the
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presentation of his cause he gives to every point relative thereto its due promi- nence.
Mr. Shuey was married in 1872 in this city to Miss Hattie E. McCain, and they now have two sons and three daughters, namely: I. Byrdella Plattenburg, Edward W. Shuey, May Belle Thornburg, Harriet Edna Scranton and Wilbur W. Shuey. They also lost one child in infancy. The parents hold membership in the Raper Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Shuey is a trustee. He votes with the republican party and is interested in the vital questions of the day, but the demands of a growing law practice have left him little time for active participa- tion in political affairs even had he so desired. He has always regarded the prac- tice of law as his real life work and in this connection his labors have brought him to a position of prominence at the Dayton bar.
COLONEL HERBERT G. CATROW.
Colonel Herbert G. Catrow is well known as a leader in military, political and social circles in Miamisburg, and has left the impress of his individuality upon many lines of public thought and action. He was born in that city Deceniber II, 1871, and is a son of N. J. and Malissa (Groby) Catrow, the former the president of the First National Bank of Miamisburg. Reared under the parental roof Colonel Catrow attended the public schools until 1886 and then went to Law -. renceville, New Jersey, where he entered the Lawrenceville Preparatory School. He afterward attended the Pennsylvania Military College at Chester, Pennsyl- vania, and was graduated with the class of 1893.
On the completion of his course he entered the employ of the City of Phila- delphia in the capacity of civil engineer and there continued until 1896. During that time he became interested in personally conducted foreign tours and re- mained in that business until 1898, when he returned to his Ohio home. In Oc- tober of the same year he was elected cashier of the First National Bank and continued in that position until August, 1909, when he resigned. In a place of executive control he capably managed the interests of an important moneyed in- stitution and inaugurated a safe conservative policy that made his name an hon- ored one on financial paper and in financial circles. His personal investments are large and he is interested in many local enterprises which have been of material benefit to the city and state. His judgment is sound, his enterprise keen and forceful and, carefully formulating his plans, he carries them forward to suc- cessful completion.
On the 31st of January, 1894, Colonel Catrow .was united in marriage to Miss May Johnson, a native of Chester, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of D. M. and Margaret (Brow) Johnson. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Catrow have been born three children: John Newton, Margaret Elizabeth and David Johnson. Theirs is one of the attractive and hospitable homes of Miamisburg, a cordial welcome ever being extended to their many friends.
Colonel Catrow won his title in connection with the Ohio National Guard. In November, 1899, he was elected first lieutenant of Company G of the Third
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Infantry and was elected captain of Company H of the Third Infantry on the roth of April, 1900. On the 5th of July of the same year he became major of the Third Infantry and on the 21st of November, 1904, was elected colonel, with which rank he is still serving. He is prominently known in the military circles of the state and is very popular with officers and men. In politics he has been a life-long republican, active in the local ranks of the party and at one time was a candidate for congress but resigned before the time of election. He, there- fore, wields a wide influence in political circles, his opinions carrying weight in the councils of his party.
He is a valued and exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity and was for seven years master of Minerva Lodge, No. 98, F. & A. M. He has also been high priest of Trinity Chapter, No. 44. R. A. M., belongs to Council Reese, R. & S. M., of Dayton ; and to Reed Commandery, K. T .; and to the Consistory at Dayton. He has likewise crossed the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, holding membership in Antioch Temple at Dayton. He like- wise belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Junior Order of American Mechanics, while his church relationship is with the Lutheran denomination. He is one of the popular, promi- nent and valued citizens of Miamisburg, where his genial manner, his freedom from ostentation, his business reliability and his genuine personal worth have gained him friendship, confidence and regard. While he is now ranked among the capitalists of this part of the state, he does not hold himself aloof from his fellows but is always genial and approachable, and true worth can always win his friendship.
JOHN S. GREENWALD.
John S. Greenwald, of Harrison township, Montgomery county, Ohio, holds perhaps the most prominent place among the fruit growers of this section, for the farm on which he makes his home is a tract of one hundred and ten acres of excellent land, lying about three and a half miles north of Dayton. The pater- nal grandfather, John Greenwald, was a successful farmer in Germany, and though he came to this country on a visit, he could not be persuaded to remain, but returned to his native land where he died. His son, Michael, the father of the subject of the sketch, came from Germany to Dayton, Ohio, when a young man. He had received all of his education in the land of his birth and had also had some experience as a farmer. He settled at first in Darke county, Ohio, but later removed to Logansport, Indiana, where our subject was born. In his early manhood Michael Greenwald had married Miss Annie B. Sauers, and the union was blessed with five children: Annie, Elizabeth, John, Sarah and Lydia. With the exception of Annie, who is in Alberta, Canada, the children are all living in this county.
John S. Greenwald was born in Logansport, Indiana, January 1, 1863. He received the first lessons of life at home and from the schools of the county derived his first insight into education. With him, as with many boys raised in the country, work on the farm went hand in hand with school lessons; it was
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JOHN S. GREENWALD AND FAMILY
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a wholesome combination, for it inculcated those habits of industry and appli- cation which have proved invaluable to him since going out into the world to make his own way. His experiences in making his own living differed little at the first from those of the average young man who starts out to fight and win his own battles, but his industry soon enabled him to acquire some real estate in Dayton. Later, by dint of hard work and good management he was able to accummulate sufficient to purchase his present fine farm.
On the 30th of November, 1890, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Green- wald to Miss Maggie M. LeCompte, of Dayton. Two children, Estella and J. Frederick, both in school, have been born to the couple. The family attend the Shiloh Christian church, of Harrison township, of which Mr. Greenwald is a trustee, and are very active in promoting its interests and work. The house in which they make their home is a very pretty building, attractively situated among a number of fine trees, and is but one of a group of buildings that are pleasing and kept in the best condition.
Mr. Greenwald has improved his heritage as a descendent of a stalwart race of men. He is one of those who wins to the fore ranks in whatever they under- take, as the success of his fruit farming demonstrates; and his fortune is the sweeter in that it has been attained by his own efforts and not through the mis- fortune of others and brings with it the good will and not the dislike of those who know him. Being a man whose days are given up to hard work, he seeks his rest and diversion in the heart of a united family.
CHARLES McNELLY.
Charles McNelly, who is identified with the educational interests of Montgom- ery county as a teacher of district school No. 3 in Madison township, also owns a good farm of twenty-five acres on the Wolf Creek pike, about three miles west of Trotwood. He was born on the old McNelly homestead, which is located near his present farm, on the 30th of April, 1865, his parents being Daniel and Catharine (Shank) McNelly. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, was also a native of this county and became well and prominently known within its borders. His family numbered ten children, namely: Warren; Calvin; Clara ; Martha, who is deceased; Charles, of this review; Elizabeth and Katie, who have also passed away; Edward; Althea; and Rilla.
Charles McNelly pursued his preliminary education in the school in which he is now engaged in teaching and in fact received practically all of his mental training in Madison township, though he also attended Otterbein College at Westerville, Ohio. He is widely recognized as a successful educator, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he has acquired and by his zeal and enthusiasm inspiring his pupils to do their best at all times. As stated above, he is also the owner of an excellent farm of twenty-five acres on the Wolf Creek pike and is well known and highly esteemed as a substantial, public-spirited and representative citizen of his native county.
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On the 25th of June, 1899, Mr. McNelly was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Weidman, a daughter of Gottlieb and Barbara (Guehring) Weidman, who were natives of Germany and, crossing the Atlantic to the United States, took up their abode in Montgomery county. Mr. McNelly is a consistent member of the United Brethren church and has gained a wide and favorable acquaintance throughout the county in which his entire life has been spent, while his many sterling characteristics have gained him kindly regard and warm friendships.
CHARLES A. KLINE.
Charles A. Kline figures prominently in the business circles of Liberty as a member of the firm of Kline Brothers, general merchants, and also as the secretary of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Association of Montgomery county. He was born in Perry township, this county, on the 13th of April, 1863, and is a son of Peter and Mary A. (Lehman) Kline. The father was a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, while the mother's birth occurred in Montgomery county, Ohio. He was a farmer by occupation and devoted many years to gen- eral agricultural pursuits but also conducted a hotel at Johnsville for about ten years. He died in 1879 while his wife passed away in 1894.
Charles A. Kline supplemented his early education, pursued in the public schools of this county, by study in the Northern Indiana Normal School at Val- paraiso. In 1887 he began teaching in Jefferson township and for twenty-one years has been engaged in educational work in that township, contributing in large measure to the intellectual development of the community. For seven years he was principal of the schools at Liberty and. imparting readily, concisely and clearly to others the knowledge he had acquired, his work was eminently satisfactory to all concerned. In 1908 he purchased a general store in Liberty and now conducts the enterprise in connection with his brother Harvey C. Kline under the firm style of Kline Brothers. They carry a well selected line of goods, tastefully and attractively arranged and Charles A. Kline owns tlie store building in which the business is conducted. A man of resourceful ability he has not confined his attention to either commercial or professional interests but has ex- tended his labors and since the 12th of May, 1902, has been secretary of the Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Montgomery county. This was organized July 14, 1877, and has had a continuously successful existence since that time. The business has grown year by year and the total amount of policies in force on the Ist of December, 1908, was seven million, two hundred and fifty- seven thousand and two hundred and seventy-five dollars. Policies to the amount of almost two million dollars were written in 1908 and the total amount of poli- cies in force on the Ist of January, 1909, amounted to seven million, eight hun- dred and thirty-seven thousand, five hundred and fifty dollars.
Mr. Kline has also figured in political circles and public affairs and his record has at all times been characterized by devotion to the general good. He was appointed postmaster of Liberty on the Ist of April, 1905, and is, therefore, fill- ing the office at the present writing. He has also been township assessor for
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the past three years, serving now for the second term. He is like- wise the local manager of the United Home Telephone Company, in which ca- pacity he has served since 1905.
On the Ist of September, 1898, Mr. Kline was married to Miss Daisy E. Wat- son, a daughter of John W. and Elizabeth Watson. Her father was a farmer but is now living retired. Mr. and Mrs. Kline have one child, Robert Earl, born July 4, 1899. The parents are members of the Brethren church at Bear Creek and are actively interested in its work, Mr. Kline serving as secretary of the board of trustees for the past fifteen years. For many years he has been a valued representative of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is loyal to its teach- ings and its purposes.
FRANK W. HOWELL.
Frank W. Howell, attorney-at-law, practicing at the Dayton bar as a mem- ber of the firm of Powell & Howell, was born on a farm in Montgomery county, June 17, 1869. He was there reared and for six years attended the country schools, while spending his youthful days in the home of his father, W. F. Howell. He traces his ancestry back to Jonathan Howell, his great-great-grand- father, who was a native of Wales but left that little rock-ribbed country with four brothers to establish a home in America. He located in Maryland where he conducted business as a trader. At the time of the Revolutionary war his interests were on the side of the American troops and he aided in winning na- tional independence. Throughout the period of his residence in America he made his home in Maryland and there passed away. Lampkin Howell, the great-grandfather, was for many years a resident of Maryland and later of Bracken county, Kentucky, where he died when his son, John M. Howell, was nine years of age. His old home place in that locality is still known as the Howell farm.
John M. Howell, grandfather of Frank W. Howell, was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, and in early life followed blacksmithing but afterward gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. At his father's death he became a resident of Clermont county, Ohio, where he spent his remaining days. He wedded Mary M. Fee, a native of Clermont county and a daughter of Elijah Fee, who be- came one of the early settlers of that county and was well known in pioneer times as a farmer, justice of the peace and local preacher. He died in Clermont county when more than sixty years of age. His daughter, Mary, became the wife of John M. Howeil and they continued their residence in Clermont county until called to their final rest, Mr. Howell passing away in 1877 in his seventy-first year, while his wife died at the age of eighty-four. They were consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and throughout the community in which they lived were known as people of the highest respectability and sterling worth. Their family numbered nine children including William F. Howell, who was reared in Clermont county, Ohio, and remained on the home farm until he was twenty years of age when he became a student in a commercial college in
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