USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 58
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Cincinnati. For ten years he was connected with business interests in that city and in 1859 took up his abode on a farm three miles west of Dayton, where he still lives. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party. He has been well known as a representative business man, acting as a director of the Home Avenue Railroad and also of the Teutonia National Bank. He was at one time owner of one-hundred and seventy-five acres of land and still retains one hundred acres. He was married July 9, 1857, to Miss Sarah C. Apple- gate, a daughter of James and Mary (Snyder) Applegate, the former connected with the Applegate Publishing Company of Cincinnati, while for many years he was a prominent and influential citizen of Dayton. Mr. and Mrs. William F. Howell are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is still living on the old home farm at the age of eighty-two years and receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded to one of advanced years, whose life record has at all times been honorable and upright. Unto him and his wife were born four sons and a daughter: Joseph A., deceased; John W., who married Miss Anna Fee: Thomas E., who wedded Miss Elizabeth Blackwell; Frank Webster : and Mary.
After completing his district school education Frank W. Howell entered the central high school of Dayton, from which he was graduated in 1886. He af- terward spent two years in a private school and in 1889 continued his studies in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, completing the course there by graduation with the class of 1893, at which time the Bachelor of Science degree was conferred upon him. He pursued his legal studies in the Cincinnati Law School, from which he was graduated in 1895, coming immediately after- ward to Dayton, where he entered upon active practice. In 1898 he formed his present partnership, becoming junior member of the firm of Powell & Howell. He is filling the office of United States commissioner and in his law work is making steady advancement.
Mr. Howell was married in Dayton to Miss Beatrice M. Sonders and they have three daughters: Kathryn, Beatrice and Pauline. Mr. Howell belongs to the Grace Methodist Episcopal church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party but at no time has he ever been identified with secret orders. With laudable ambition to advance in his profession he feels that his time must largely be given to his work in this connection and his diligent research and study in the office always well qualifies him for the presentation of his case before court or jury.
GEORGE W. HARTZELL.
The simple weight of his character and ability has carried George W. Hart- zell into important commercial relations and he is now conducting an extensive and profitable business as a wholesale dealer in hardwood lumber in Dayton. He was born in Union City, Indiana, in 1869 and in 1880 his parents removed to Greenville, Ohio, where he acquired a common school education. He turned his attention to the manufacture of hardwood lumber in 1882, in Greenville, Ohio,
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and in 1904 he came to Dayton but still retains large interests in Greenville. The plant, which is located in Piqua, Ohio, is devoted exclusively to the manufacture of walnut plank, boards, panels and veneers ; also a line of black walnut furni- ture. Because of the durability and rarity of this wood and its possibilities for taking a high polish it has become one of the most valuable woods today used in furniture manufacture and Mr. Hartzell's business is now of an important char- acter and brings to him substantial, annual profit. He is also the president of The American Wagon Stock & Walnut Company at Piqua, Ohio.
Mr. Hartzell was married in 1890 in Greenville, Ohio, to Miss Deborah Norris, a daughter of Robert Norris, a United Brethren minister who for twenty-five years devoted his life to the work of the church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hartzell have been born three children, Ruth V., Robert N. and Rose V. The parents are connected with the United Brethren, their membership being in the Oak street church. In his political views Mr. Hartzell is a republican but political prefer- ment has little or no attraction for him. He is, however, serving on the school board of the village of Oakwood, a suburb of Dayton, where he maintains his home. In all matters relative to the general welfare he is interested and in as far as possible cooperates in movements for the public good. His business, however, is making increasing demands upon his time and energies for his trade is con- stantly growing in volume and importance. He is classed with the representa- tive business men of Dayton although his residence here covers a period of but five years, and he enjoys the respect and unqualified regard of his colleagues and associates.
CONRAD J. SCHMIDT.
It is a trite saying that there is always room at the top and yet its truth is continually manifest in the business world where the men who are in control of affairs are ever seeking competent assistance. Intelligence, energy and per- severance are ever effective and forceful factors in winning advancement and have been the salient factors in the record of Conrad J. Schmidt, who stands to- day as one of the foremost representatives of his profession in Ohio, being now chief departmental examiner of accounts in Dayton.
He was born in Canton Solothurn, Switzerland, November 26, 1858, and was brought to the new world in 1860, so that his training was distinctively American. Since 1861 he has been a resident of Dayton and here acquired his education in the public and parochial schools but put aside his text-books at the age of twelve years in order to enter business life and provide for his own support. He began learning the cigarmaker's trade, which he followed for twenty years, in the employ of others, during which time he became familiar with the business in principle and detail. His long experience and efficiency well qualified him to carry on business on his own account when, in 1883, hc established a cigar manu factory which he conducted successfully until 1894. In that year he was appointed deputy county treasurer under Thomas A. Selz and served for four years or two terms. On retiring from office he became bookkeeper for the Stillwell, Bicrce & Smith- vaile Company, with which he was connected until that corporation was succeeded
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by the Platt Iron Works, of which he became chief accountant and so continued until December. 1907, when he was appointed chief departmental examiner of accounts of Dayton ard has since acceptably filled the position. He has also done other important public service. In November, 1907, he was elected a mem- ber of the board of education, was made a member of its finance committee and in January, 1909, was elected its president, in which connection he has labored earnestly and effectively for the interests of the schools. His political support is given to the democratic party and he is active in promoting its interests and se- curing the adoption of its principles.
In 1880 Mr. Schmidt was married in Piqua, Ohio, to Miss Theresa M. Schunk, and they now have three children: Edgar C., Helen J. and Thekla L. Mr. Schmidt belongs to both the subordinate lodge and uniform rank of the Knights of Pythias, in which he has become major. He is also affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and is a worthy exemplar of the craft. He possesses a genial nature and an unfailing courtesy which render him a favorite in social circles and he has many friends in the city where he has maintained his residence for forty- eight years.
JOHN KIRBY, JR.
John Kirby, Jr., organizer and since its inception general manager of the Dayton Manufacturing Company, is a splendid example of that class of men who by sheer force of energy and ability have made their way toward success with- out any special advantages at the outset of their career. Learning valuable les- sons in the practical school of affairs, he has turned each experience to good ac- count and with keen sagacity has recognized and improved the opportunities of the business world until in his chosen field of labor he has become a recognized leader. At the same time business to him has been but one phase of existence never excluding his active participation in and support of the other vital inter- ests which go to make up life. A native of Troy, New York, Mr. Kirby was born May 16, 1850, and in that city passed his first seventeen years, acquiring his education in the public schools. He sought the opportunity of providing for his own support when but twelve years of age, at which time he secured a posi- tion at tapping stove nuts in a stove works at Waterford, New York. where he remained for about six months. As there were no street cars in those days he was obliged to walk a distance of four miles night and morning to and from his work. When a half year had thus passed he entered the service of a photographer at Troy, New York, as errand boy and in the course of two or two and a half years was advanced to the position of photographer printer and toner. Five years' connection with the photographic business was terminated by his removal to Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the fall of 1867 and there he was employed by an elder brother in repairing and manufacturing jewelry. In the summer of 1869 he engaged with the Illinois Manufacturing Company of Chicago and since that time has been closely associated with the manufacture of railway brass and bronze supplies. That connection gave him intimate and comprehensive knowl- edge of the business and he thereby became qualified for the conduct of a similar
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JOHN KIRBY, JR.
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enterprise on his own account. In December, 1870, the Illinois Manufacturing Company removed its plant to Adrian, Michigan, and Mr. Kirby went with it. While there residing, he was instrumental in organizing the Working Men's Mutual Aid Association which became a strong, influential and very benefi- cent organization in that community.
On the Ist of August, 1875, Mr. Kirby accepted a position with Post & Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, as superintendent of the works of that concern, also engaged in the manufacture of railway brass and bronze supplies. He spent about eight years with that service, during which period his increased salary and careful expenditure combined to bring his sufficient capital to enable him in January, 1883, to organize the Dayton Manufacturing Company, and as its general manager, begin the manufacture of goods of the same character. He has since been in active control of the plant and his executive ability, mechani- cal skill and keen business discrimination have been the salient features in the success which has crowned the enterprise, making it one of the foremost pro- ductive industries of the city. It has been a successful venture from the start and its ramifying trade interests now reach out to a large territory.
Mr. Kirby's resourceful ability has been further demonstrated in his connec- tion with other business concerns. For fifteen years he was the president of an- other large manufacturing corporation, is vice president and director of two mining companies, a director in another mining company and a member of the board of directors of two manufacturing companies. At all times his judgment has been found to be strong and reliable and the course that he has pursued has awakened the admiration and respect of his contemporaries and his colleagues. During his residence in Dayton he has cooperated in large and helpful measure with various movements inculcated for the benefit of the city along the line of its industrial and commercial development. In 1898 he was elected president of the Dayton board of trade, which position he filled for eight years or until the organization was merged into the Dayton Chamber of Commerce. He is now acting as a member of the executive committee of the latter and has been a co- operant factor in forming and executing many plans which has been directly beneficial to the city. Mr. Kirby was among the first to recognize the necessity of an organization of employers for the purpose of resisting encroachments of labor unions on the rights of employers and non-union men and restraining their excesses. He assisted in organizing the Dayton Employers' Association in 1900 and was elected president, which position he still fills. As this association was the first local organization of men engaged in all kinds of business, manufacturing, building, mercantile, etc., and is two years older than any other similar organiza- tion in the country, it is evident that Mr. Kirby anticipated the future in this important matter and met it with characteristic prudence and wisdom.
He served as member of the Administrative Council of the National Metal Trades Association for five years, ending in 1908, and was one of the twelve men who organized the Citizens Industrial Association of America in 1904, since which time he has been a member of its executive committee.
The welfare of the public in all matters of business, charity and philanthropy finds an advocate and champion in this prominent citizen of Dayton. His time, influence and money are always at the disposal of the city's public-spirited and
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humanitarian enterprises, and were employed in the building of the Dayton Young Men's Christian Association which was recently erected at an expense of five hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Kirby was chosen chairman of the com- mittee of one hundred which was charged with the responsibility of financing the proposition, also a member of the building committee. The dedicatory address was delivered by President Taft last year.
Mr. Kirby was one of the first and foremost advocates of a tariff commis- sion and was elected a member of the executive committee of the committee of one hundred which was appointed by the tariff commission convention, held in Indianapolis last February, for the promotion of a tariff commission.
The early lesson of the success which follows industry and economy was not . lost on Mr. Kirby, but has influenced his actions through life. This conviction of the duty and interests of the wage-earning class, combined with his experi- ence with fellow workmen as members of the workingmen's association at Ad- rian, led him to believe that the present form of trades-unionism is not promo- tive of the best interests of workmen or the community. As a friend to working- men he saw the abuses to which they were subjected and deemed it a duty to oppose what he regarded as an abuse by labor leaders and a menace to our form of government. Since that time he has led in the movement against organized labor as represented by the American Federation of Labor, the injunction ob- tained by his company against the Metal Polishers' Union being one of the first and most important of actions of this character. He has been a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Manufacturers for the past six years, and was recently elected president of this largest, most representative and influential organization of business men in the country.
On the 25th of October, 1871, occurred the marriage of John Kirby, Jr., and Miss Marietta Smith Filkins, of Troy, New York, a daughter of Chester A. Fil- kins. They have two children, Edward Rollin and Marietta A. The former, who is carrying on a sales agency business in Cleveland, was married to Katharine Irwine, of New York city, and they have two children, aged twenty-eight and six months, respectively. The daughter, Marietta A., is now the wife of Hon. Wil- liam H. Speer, judge of the circuit court of Jersey City, New Jersey, and they have three children, nine, five years and sixteen months, respectively.
In politics Mr. Kirby is a republican, deeply interested in the party and its success. He has used his influence to further its interests and is a stalwart cham- pion of its recognized principles. Whatever his hand has found to do he has done with his might and with a sense of conscientious obligation. His success in business has been notable. From the beginning he has studied closely the possibilities of the business which he organized and has wrought along new lines, manifesting that initiative spirit which passes beyond the methods in use and brings out new processes that are based upon wide experience and practical skill. The business of the company has been developed until it is one of the important and valuable industries of Dayton, the growth of the enterprise being attributable in large measure to the efforts of Mr. Kirby, who manifests keen discernment and far-sighted business sagacity. The same spirit prompts him in his coopera- tion with those movements which have direct bearing upon the municipal prog- ress. In an analyzation of his career it is found that the subjective and objec-
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tive forces of his life are well balanced, making him cognizant of his own capa- bilities and powers while at the same time he thoroughly understands his oppor- tunities and his obligations. To make his native talents subserve the demands which conditions of society impose at the present time is the purpose of his life.
DANIEL W. KLEPINGER.
Daniel W. Klepinger, superintendent of the Harrison township public schools of Montgomery county, was born October 7, 1862, in Madison township and represents one of the oldest families of the county. It is known that John Klepinger was the ancestor of the Klepinger people. He was born in Germany January 31, 1774. On the 31st of December, 1799, he married Elizabeth Ben- kard, who also was born in Germany. Unto this union were born ten children. The two oldest were George, who was born October 19, 1800; and John, born May 26, 1802. All of the Klepingers now living in Montgomery county are descendants of these two sons. John Klepinger, the great-grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch, and his wife removed with their family from Pennsylvania, where they first settled after coming to this country, to Ohio in 1815 and settled on a farm in Madison township, Montgomery county. Later they removed to Indiana, locating near Lafayette on the Tippecanoe battleground. This John Klepinger died October 12, 1833.
Daniel W. Klepinger was a grandson of the second son of the above men- tioned union and is the third child in a family of six children born unto Newton and Sarah Klepinger. His boyhood days were spent on the farm in Madison township, a mile southeast of Trotwood. While a boy he did such work as naturally falls to the lot of a farm lad, working diligently in the fields through the summer months, while in the fall he entered the rural school, therein pur- suing his studies until with the return of spring he was again obliged to assist in the farm work.
Determining to become a teacher, Mr. Klepinger entered the Ohio Nor- mal university at Ada in the fall of 1882. After spending thirty weeks in this university, he began to teach in subdistrict No. 9, Madison township, then known as the Keener school. Two years later he temporarily gave up teaching for further study and was graduated from the university at Ada in 1888. Since that time he has been continually engaged in the profession of teaching, having had charge of elementary schools in Harrison, Jefferson and Van Buren town- ships. After which he served as superintendent of Washington township for two years and of Madison township for four years. During the past ten years he has been superintendent of the Harrison township schools. He has always re- garded the profession of teaching as a very responsible but also as a delightful one.
Under his supervision the high schools of both Madison and Harrison town- ships were placed upon a firm foundation. As an educator he has done ex- cellent work, holding to high ideals and continually seeking out new methods to improve the schools and enhance the grade of work done therein. On the
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Ist of September, 1908, he was appointed a member of the county board of school examiners for a term of three years.
In 1892 Daniel W. Klepinger and Jennie May Miller were united in mar- riage and unto them were born five children, one son having died in infancy. The others are: Miriam Edna, Troy Emerson, Robert Miller and Evangeline. The family home is now in Harrison township near Dayton.
Mr. Klepinger has thus far spent his life in this county, giving his atten- tion to educational work. He has displayed much ability to impart readily and clearly to others and the power which he has manifested as an organizer have made the schools under his supervision of the highest grade.
H. J. DREESE.
In a review of Ohio's history one must be impressed with the fact that the development of its coal fields has been a most potent source of its commercial strength and substantial upbuilding. Closely associated with its inining interests, H. J. Dreese is now treasurer of the S. J. Patterson Coal Company, secretary and treasurer of the White Star Mining Company and Weyanoke Coal and Coke Company, the Tom Corwin Coal Company and the Gulf Coal Company. In these various connections his keen business insight and executive ability have constituted forceful factors in his success.
Mr. Dreese is a native of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred near Perryville, January. 25, 1863. His parents were Joseph and Amelia (Freed) Dreese. The father was born in Beavertown, Pennsylvania, in 1838, and the mother's birth occurred there in 1842. They are still living and enjoying good health. Joseph Dreese engaged in farming until his removal to Dayton about twenty years ago and is now stockkeeper for the Reynolds & Reynolds Printing Company. Both he and his wife are members of the English Lutheran church. Their family numbers two children. The younger, Mary, lives at home. She, too, is a member of the First English Lutheran church.
The elder is H. J. Dreese of this review. His educational opportunities were only those offered by the common schools and he is a self-made man, being both the architect and builder of his own fortunes. He acquired his business education in the Eastman Commercial College at Poughkeepsie, New York, and remained upon the farm until coming to Dayton on the 30th of March, 1882, at which time he accepted the position of weight clerk and office boy with S. J. Patterson. In the intervening period, covering twenty-seven years, he has been continuously connected with S. J. Patterson, his ability winning him successive promotions until he became confidential secretary. In 1908 the business was reorganized as an incorporated company and Mr. Dreese became its treasurer. They conduct a wholesale coal business. Mr. Dreese is interested in mines in West Virginia and Ohio. Their main office is in Dayton with branch offices and selling agencies in Chicago and Detroit. They ship to all points of the United States east of the Mississippi river and their business has reached Mam- moth proportions. The Weyanoke Coal and Coke Company's mine at Giatto,
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West Virginia, has a capacity of from ten hundred to fifteen hundred tons of Pocahontas coal per day, and the Gulf Coal Company's mine, now being de- veloped in West Virginia, will also be a very large mine.
Mr. Dreese has been married twice. He first wedded Ella B. Harris, on the 25th of September, 1887, and to them was born one child, Burns H., whose birth occurred January 21, 1898, and who is now attending the Dayton schools. Mrs. Dreese was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, a daughter of H. C. Harris. Her mother passed away about five years ago and Mrs. Dreese died on Christmas day of 1907. For his second wife Mr. Dreese chose Mrs. John C. Axe, of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, whom he wedded January 6, 1909. She is a daughter of William Johnson, a retired shoe merchant of Lewistown, Pennsylvania, who is now deceased. Her mother, however, is still living. She has one brother, Thomas S., and a sister, Marie H., who are residents of Lewistown, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Dreese is prominent in Masonry, having attained the thirty-second de- gree of the Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the United Commercial Trav- elers, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Grace Methodist Episco- pal church. A man of high intellectual and moral worth, he is prominent in the business circles of the city, possessing that strength of character which comes from the development of one's native powers and talents in harmony with the principles of honorable manhood.
BENJAMIN W. McCLARY.
Montgomery county has been signally favored in the class of men who have occupied her public offices, for with few exceptions they have been citizens of sterling worth, devoted to the best interests of the community at large and placing the public welfare before personal aggrandizement. To this class belongs Ben- jamin W. McClary, now serving as county recorder. He was born at Pem- berton, Shelby county, Ohio, February 12, 1864, and in 1869 was brought to Dayton by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John B. McClary. His great-grandfather was a native of Scotland and became the founder of the family in the new world. The grandfather, John McClary, Sr., was born in New Jersey in 1806 and died in that state in 1886. His son, John B. McClary was born in Asbury county, New Jersey, in 1837, and in early life became a resident of Ohio. He served his country as a soldier in the Civil war, doing active duty with General Fremont's body guard. At his death he was a member of the county infirmary board and he passed away in Dayton in 1898, honored and respected by all who knew him because he had lived an upright, useful life. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Wilkinson, was born in Shelby county, Ohio, and still resides in Dayton.
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