USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 59
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103
Benjamin W. McClary is one of seven surviving members of a family of eight children. He was only five years of age at the time of the removal to Day- ton and in the public schools he pursued his education and at an early age put aside his text-books to start in business life as a messenger boy. Subsequently he became press feeder in the Journal office and in that connection rose through
616
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
successive promotions that came in recognition of his ability to the position of advertising manager, in which place of trust and responsibility he was capably serving when in 1906 he was elected county recorder, which position he is still filling. He led the ticket, receiving the highest vote of any candidate of the republican party at that election-a fact which is indicative of his personal popu- larity and the confidence reposed in him, In 1908 he was again nominated and reelected to the office of recorder, his term expiring in 1911.
In 1899 in Dayton Mr. McClary was married to Miss Maude Retter and they have one son, Harold B., born in 1902. Mr. McClary holds membership relations with the Knights of Pythias and also with the First Reformed church and is a member of the consistory. He is a substantial business man and has brought to his official duties the same qualities of enterprise, determination and anfal- tering industry.
CHARLES W. BARR.
Charles W. Barr, a well known and successful stock dealer of Montgomery county, is also the owner of about seventy-five acres of fine farm land situated on the Valley pike about three miles north of the Dayton courthouse. He was born February 26, 1861, on the Yellow Springs pike on what was known as the old Harshman farm. The family was originally founded in Montgomery county by Henry Barr, the grandfather of our subject and a native of Pennsyl- vania. At a time when this county was largely an undeveloped district he ar- rived here with his family and with characteristic industry and zeal set about clearing the land and established his home on the site where the city of Fairfield, Ohio, now stands. His son Abraham Barr was born in Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, April 15, 1830, and was but a lad when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio. He married Catharine Louck and followed the occupation of farming throughout his life. In their family were twelve children, namely : Lemuel; Elizabeth, now deceased; Lillie; Charles, of this review; Venetta ; Henry ; Delilah, also deceased; Oleva; Russell; Forrest; Amos; and Albert.
Charles W. Barr was reared on his father's farm and the days of his boy- hood and youth were passed in the acquirement of an education in the neighbor- hood schools and in the work of the farm. After laying aside his text-books he learned the butchers trade under Charles Mack and others and at the age of twenty-one years started out in business on his own account on West Fifth street in Dayton. His venture proved successful from the start and by dint of hard labor and careful management he acquired sufficient capital with which to purchase his present tract of seventy-five acres of fine farm land outside of the city of Dayton. In 1886 he built a fine country home, equipped with all modern conveniences, and has also erected large, substantial barns, which furnish ample shelter for his grain and stock. Here he deals in stock, conducting a whole- sale butchering business, marketing beef and mutton. He formerly had one of the best known stands in Central Market and his business is proving a source of gratifying annual income. He is today recognized as one of the well known
617
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
and prominent representatives of business life in his section of the township and whatever success has come to him is the logical result of close application and unfaltering diligence and perseverance.
Mr. Barr has been twice married, his first union being with Miss Fannie Hafer, the daughter of Henry and Mary Hafer, and unto them was born one child, Bessie, who has now completed her school course. She has shown special aptitude for music and, having graduated in a course in music, is now engaged in teaching this art. After the death of his first wife Mr. Barr was united in marriage to Miss Emma Kern, a daughter of Adam and Catharine Kern. The family belong to the German Lutheran church and are prominent among a large circle of warm friends. He is enterprising and up-to-date in all his business methods, energetic and progressive, and his honorable and upright dealings have gained him the confidence and good will of his fellow citizens.
ANDREW ASHBY MAYSILLES.
Andrew Ashby Maysilles, who is well known as an educator throughout Mont- gomery county, has been closely and helpfully identified with educational interests for many years. He was born in Preble county, on the 21st of April, 1870, a son of Benjamin F. and Rachel F. (DeVinney) Maysilles, the former a well known blacksmith and manufacturer. He was nine years of age when he came with his parents to Montgomery county and his early education was acquired in the public schools of Brookville. Subsequently he attended the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio, from which he was graduated and received his teacher's certificate in 1896, while in 1904 he was granted a high-school life certificate.
Mr. Maysilles has since devoted his time, energy and thought to the profession of teaching, his first position in that capacity being in the schools of Randolph township. He also taught in Madison township for three and half years and later for one term in Clay township, while he was teacher in the high school of the latter township for five years. He then was identified with the Brookville high school for ten years, during a part of which period he served as superintendent of that institution. For the past ten years, however, he has been superintendent of schools in Clay township and for two years-1907 and 1908-has acted in similar capacity in the schools of German and Miami townships. He has been a most cap- able and successful instructor, clearly and readily imparting to others the infor- mation which he himself has acquired, while at the same time he has gained a wide reputation as an excellent disciplinarian, commanding at all times the obed- ience as well as the respect of his pupils. He has continued to remain a close student, ever seeking to broaden his own information by careful study and re- search and the high rank to which he has attained in his profession evidences his ability in his chosen calling. He served for two terms, or for six years, as a mem- ber of the board of school examiners for Montgomery county, and the high opinion in which he is held by his professional brethren is manifested in the fact that he was elected and is now serving as secretary of the Ohio State Association of Township Superintendents. He likewise holds membership in the Ohio Teachers'
618
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Reading Association. He is recognized as a very strong debater, having devoted considerable attention throughout his life to the study of argumentation, and his opinions on this subject are largely received as authority.
On the 6th of October, 1901, Mr. Maysilles was united in marriage to Miss Mary Alice McNelly, of Brookville, a daughter of Warren and Sarah McNelly. Mr. and Mrs. Maysilles are members of the United Brethren church and are active in its work, while Mr. Maysilles is the teacher of the largest men's class in the Sunday school, it numbering one hundred and fifty members. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, is past chancellor commander of the Knights of Pythias and past worthy master of the Grange.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has been a stalwart advocate of the principles of the democracy and has taken an active interest in the local politics of the community, his ability as a speaker making him a forceful factor in the campaigns of that party. When only twenty-two years of age he was a candidate for legislature on the democratic ticket but was defeated by his republican opponent. Recognized as one of the leaders of the party in this city, he was elected and served for one term as mayor of Brookville. His interest has also extended along other lines of activity and he is now a director of the Citizens Banking Company and has been for the past three years, and is likewise a director of the McNelly Brothers Mercantile Company. His life has been one of con- tinuous activity and each step in his career has been a forward one, bringing him a broader scope and wider relations. His horizon has never been bounded by the limits of his profession but on the contrary he is found as a broad-gauged man, of public spirit, with constantly expanding interests, his native talents being con- tinually developed through wide reading.
WILLIAM FRANKLIN ROUDEBUSH.
William Franklin Roudebush, a truck farmer of Mad River township, is the owner of nine acres of land on the Troy pike, about three miles from the courthouse. His birth occurred in Ellerton, Montgomery county, on the 2d of January, 1864, his parents being Frank and Sarah (Gebhart) Roudebush. The paternal grandfather was a manufacturer of Pennsylvania. Frank Roudebush learned the trade of a mechanic in the Keystone state and in early manhood made his way to this county, becoming one of the pioneers settlers here. He first took up his abode near Centerville and later removed to Ellerton, where he was married and successfully carried on his interests for a time. Subsequently he went to Indiana, where he purchased a farm which he cultivated for five years, on the expiration of which period he sold the property and returned to the old home place in Montgomery county, once more becoming identified with the black- smith's trade. He was one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of his community, his labors contributing in no small degree to the early devel- opment and upbuilding of the county.
William Franklin Roudebush obtained a good practical education in this county and while attending school also worked at farm labor and gave his father
WILLIAM F. ROUDEBUSHI AND FAMILY
-
**
-
621
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
the benefit of his assistance in the shop, thus gaining a comprehensive knowledge of the blacksmith's trade. He has likewise worked in a shop in Dayton and is an expert machinist. For five years he remained in the service of the Cincin- nati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, being promoted to a position as conductor after three years' service as brakeman. At present, however, he gives his time and energies to truck farming on his place of nine acres in Mad River township and in this business is meeting with a well deserved and commendable measure of success. He expects soon to build a new residence on the place and will equip it with all modern comforts and conveniences.
In April, 1885, Mr. Roudebush was united in marriage to Miss Libby Leis, a daughter of Swingilis and Emma (Cotterman) Leis, the former being a truck- ster and cabinetmaker of Montgomery county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Roudebush have been born four children, namely: Mabel E., who is a grammar school graduate and also attended the Dayton high school for two years, while at present she is teaching music; Clarence, who attended the Dayton high school for one year after completing his grammar school education and now assists his father on the farm; Russell, who has also finished his education and resides on the home farm; and Ruth, who is attending school.
Mr. Roudebush and his family are consistent and devoted members of the Reformed church at Miamisburg. He is a lover of music and displays consider- able talent as a musician, his children following in his footsteps in this regard. They are often called upon to play at entertainments and have given much pleas- ure to their many friends at both private and public functions of a social char- acter. Mr. Roudebush is a worthy native son of Montgomery county and in his social and business life is recognized as a man of genuine personal worth, who has won the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.
T. A. McCANN, M. D.
Dayton, with its pulsing, industrial activity, has drawn to it many men of en- terprise who are continually striving to lift the standard of business and profes- sional interests. To this class belongs Dr. T. A. McCann, recognized as one of the most able and successful physicians of this city. He was born on a farm in Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1858, and there spent his youthful days working in the fields through the summer months while in the district schools he acquired his early education which was supplemented by a course in Denison University in Granville, Ohio. He afterward entered the Michigan University at Ann Arbor and in 1891 completed his preparation for the profession by graduation from the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, although he has remained a student of the science of medicine to the present time, his reading and research keeping him in touch with the advanced ideas brought forth by the medical profession.
In the year of his graduation he located in Dayton where he has since re- mained, and in the intervening years he has won a large and growing practice, his ability carrying him into important professional relations. He is always careful
622
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
in the diagnosis of his case and is seldom if ever at fault in predicting the out- come of the disease. He belongs to the Dayton Homeopathic Medical Society, the Miami Valley Medical Society, the State Medical Society and the American Institute of Homeopathy. In the first three he has been honored with various offices, serving as president of each. The Doctor is also a member of the state board of examiners and has been surgeon of the Miami hospital since its founda- tion.
In 1899. in Dayton, Dr. McCann was united in marriage to Miss Jeanette Kratochwill and unto them have been born five children, namely, Harriett, Thomas A., Jr., James, Richard and Joseph. Dr. McCann is prominent in Masonic circles, having attained the thirty-second degree of Scottish Rite. He also belongs to the Sigma Chi and to the Baptist church. His life is actuated by high and hon- orable principles and his professional ideals place him with those who are striv- ing to advance the work of the profession in every way.
JOHN V. LYTLE.
John V. Lytle is filling the office of treasurer of Montgomery county, in which connection he is giving acceptable service as the custodian of the public funds. He is actuated in all that he does by a public-spirited devotion to the general good and in the work of the office he displays the qualities of an enter- prising business man who carefully systematizes his labors and thoroughly un- derstands the duties and obligations that devolve upon him.
Mr. Lytle was born in Dayton, April 21, 1870, a son of John S. and Mary (Voorhees) Lytle, the latter a daughter of Peter Voorhees, who was one of the earliest residents of this part of the state and owned the old stage line between Dayton and Cincinnati. John S. Lytle was born in Huntington, Pennsylvania, in 1821 and arrived in Dayton in the early '40s, continuing his residence here up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1900. His wife passed away in 1906. A brother of John V. Lytle, is Harry V. Lytle, superintendent of the Golf de- partment of the Dayton Last Works; and his two sisters are Jeannette; and Lizzie H., now the wife of Harvey J. King, of Dayton.
At the usual age John V. Lytle entered the public schools and pursued his education through the consecutive grades for a number of years, after which he spent two years in a private school. He then entered the wholesale shoe house of his father, John S. Lytle, who was operating in that line under the firm style of Lytle & Company. In 1893 the firm withdrew from the jobbing trade and began the manufacture of shoes in Dayton, continuing in the business until 1898. In that year John V. Lytle became assistant postmaster, which position he occupied for eight years under Ira Crawford and his successor, F. G. Withoft. In 1905 he was elected to his present office as treasurer of Montgomery county and has since continued in this position, his official record winning him high commendation, confidence and respect.
In 1894 Mr. Lytle was married in Dayton to Miss Emma I. Crume, a daugh- ter of William E. Crume, now deceased. There is one child of this marriage,
623
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Emelyn. Mr. and Mrs. Lytle have many friends in Dayton and enjoy the high re- gard of those whom they meet socially. Mr. Lytle is a valued member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and holds membership in the Grace Methodist Episcopal church. His po- litical support has always been given to the republican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he has been active in political circles in Day- ton, his efforts in behalf of the party being forceful and effective in promoting its successes. He served as secretary of the board of education in 1892 and 1893, and as secretary of the police board in 1905 and his present position as treas- urer of Montgomery county has come to him as a merited tribute of his effective services, and he is well known as a public-spirited citizen.
LOUIS H. SACKSTEDER.
Louis H. Sacksteder, of Harrison township, is the owner of twenty-five acres of land which he devotes to market gardening. His birth occurred on Cincinnati street in Dayton, Ohio, on the 18th of August, 1865, his parents being John and Mary (Cetone) Sacksteder. The paternal grandfather, Peter Sacksteder, brought his family from Germany to the United States, establishing his home in Mont- gomcry county, Ohio, and clearing the land on which our subject now resides. His demise occurred when he had reached the venerable age of ninety-one years, his remains being interred in Calvary cemetery. John Sacksteder, the father of Louis H. Sacksteder, was the first representative of the name in this county and was only five years of age when he accompanied his father on his emigration to the new world. After residing for a time in Rochester, New York, he made his way as a boy to Dayton in a canal boat, locating on what is now known as the old family homestead on the Cincinnati pike. His family numbered eight children, as follows: Katie; Louis H., of this review ; Frank, a resident of New York; Laura, of Louisville, Kentucky ; William ; Anna : John ; and Margaret.
Louis H. Sacksteder supplemented his preliminary education, acquired in the common schools, by a course in St. Mary's Institute at Dayton, of which he is a graduate. Early in life and while still attending school he assisted in the culti- vation of the home place, thus gaining a thorough knowledge of truck farming, which line of activity has claimed his time and energies to the present date. Starting out in business life on his own account with a capital of but two hundred dollars, he has steadily worked his way upward until he is now classed with the prosperous and representative citizens of his native county and may rightfully be termed a self-made man.
On the 23d of October, 1889, Mr. Sacksteder was united in marriage to Miss Frances Nock, of Dayton, Ohio, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Nock, her father being a gardener of North Dayton. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sacksteder have been born five children, namely: Gertrude, Lawrence, Alma and Raymond, all of whom attend St. Mary's Institute ; and Thomas.
In his political views Mr. Sacksteder is a stanch democrat and has served as a member of the school board, the cause of education ever finding in him a stal-
624
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
wart champion. He is a valued and consistent member of St. John's church and also belongs to the Catholic Knights of Ohio and the Knights of St. John. His life has been passed in conformity with the most honorable principles and his success has been so worthily won and is so richly merited that all rejoice with hin in what he has accomplished. Having lived in Montgomery county from his birth to the present time, he has gained a wide and favorable acquaintance here and has won many friends by reason of a social, genial nature which every- where commands regard and confidence.
GEORGE B. EVANS, M. D.
Dr. George B. Evans, physician and surgeon of Dayton, was born in Franklin, Ohio, in 1855, a son of Dr. Otho and Jane ( Ballentine) Evans. The family is of Welch descent. The grandfather, who also bore the name of Otho Evans, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, on the 9th of September, 1797, and in March, 1800, came to Highland county, Ohio. He began the study of medicine in 1818 with Dr. Jesse Smith, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and was authorized to practice in 1823. For over sixty years he made his home in Franklin and was one of the leading phy- sicians of that section of the state in early days. On the 30th of December, 1824, he was united in marriage to Miss Ann C. Schenck, the eldest daughter of John N. C. Schenck and a niece of General William C. Schenck, the founder of Frank- lin, Ohio. The groomsman at this wedding was Admiral Schenck, who was also present at their golden wedding, celebrated on the 30th of December, 1874. Our subject's grandfather lived to be eighty-seven years of age and died in Franklin. The father, Dr. Otho Evans, Jr., was born in that city, April 15, 1833, and died on the 15th of April, 1908. The birth of his wife occurred in the same city, August 31, 1833, and she passed away on the 27th of May, 1905. In their family were three children, of whom George B. is the eldest, the others being: Mortan H., a dentist of Toledo, Ohio ; and Anna E., the wife of Edward Moore of Day- ton. Our subject's maternal grandfather was George Ballentine, who was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1793, and was married May 1, 1823, to Miss Mary Pat- terson, who was born in Franklin township, Warren county, Ohio, December 22, 1803, a daughter of John and Jane Patterson. Eight children blessed this union. George Ballentine died December 18, 1852, and his wife passed away in 1887.
Dr. George B. Evans continued a resident of Franklin until the spring of 1878, when at the age of twenty-three years he removed to Middletown, Ohio. In the meantime he had pursued his education in the public schools of his native town until he was graduated from the high school, while later he attended Hanover College, Indiana, and was graduated in 1875 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. That school has also conferred upon him the Master of Arts degree. Subsequently he entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, completing the full course by graduation as an alumnus of 1878. He then located for general practice in Mid- dletown, Ohio, where he remained for two years, after which he entered the Ohio State Hospital for the Insane at Dayton as assistant physician, there continuing until November 15, 1882. His experience there was of much benefit to him,
625
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
bringing him comprehensive knowledge of mental and nervous diseases. In 1897 he was appointed a member of the Dayton health board and served for a term of two years, during which time he started the crusade against unclean dairies, re- garding them as the cause of much illness through the contamination of the milk. At all times he has been deeply interested in the subject of public health, putting forth earnest and effective effort in support of measures for the dissemination of knowledge that will check the spread of disease through the elimination of its cause. In 1887 he was elected a member of the staff of St. Elizabeth's hospital and in 1896 was elected to the chair of proctology, which he still fills.
In 1882 Dr. Evans was married in Dayton to Miss Sannie Beaver and they have many friends in the city. They hold membership in the Third Street Presby- terian church and Dr. Evans belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Masonic fraternity, having taken the degrees of the Commandery and of the Mystic Shrine. His attention, however, is chiefly concentrated upon his professional duties and he utilizes every opportunity for the acquirement of know- ledge bearing upon his chosen life work. He belongs to the Montgomery County Medical Society, which he has served as president, the Ohio State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the American Proctological Society. The last named is a national institution, of which he was elected president in 1908. In October, 1909, he entered Johns Hopkins University for a three months' course of study under Professor Hugh Young in genito-urinary diseases ; Professor Howard Kelly in gynecology ; and Professor Samuel Earl in proctology, with the intention of limiting his practice to those lines. He has already attained wide fame as a proctologist and is well known as a successful practitioner in the general field of medical and surgical practice.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.