USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 62
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It was on the 29th of January, 1880, that Mr. Eck was united in marriage to Miss Florian M. Stettler, a daughter of John J. and Lauretta (Hohn) Stettler. This union has been blessed with two children. Della L., the eldest, is now the wife of Harry Kennel, who resides on the home farm with his father-in-law and is a self-made young man of the best type. Marion A. married Bessie Hedinger, of Montgomery county, and now owns and operates a farm of twenty-four acres.
Mr. Eck and his family are members of the Lutheran church and are people who stand high in the esteem of the community. Mr. Eck gives his political alle- giance to the democracy and has been active in the local party ranks. He is a member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion, while all matters which have for their object the material, intellectual, political or moral upbuilding of the community find in him a hearty cooperant. His has been a life of continuous activity in which has been accorded due recogni- tion of honest labor, while his success is well deserved for it has come to him through his own energy, determination and well applied efforts. From an early age he has assumed heavy responsibilities and today he is numbered among the substantial residents of Miami township.
H. LORAN HUBER.
From the position of stenographer at the outset of his career, H. Loran Huber has worked his way steadily upward until he is now the secretary of the Dayton Paper Novelty Company, in which connection he is active in the control of one of the important industrial concerns of the city. His birth occurred on a farm in Logan county, Ohio, September 27, 1863, and he comes of an old Virginia family that was founded in that state in colonial days. His grandfather, Abra- ham Huber, was a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, and was the first of the name to establish a home in Ohio. Coming to this state, he located in Logan county, where John Huber, the father of our subject, was born in 1834, his birth place being the farm upon which he still resides. It has now been his home for seventy-five years, during which extended period he has witnessed the greater part of the growth and development of the state. He was married in 1862, in that county, to Miss Rebecca J. Pence, and H. Loran Huber is their only child.
The old home farm which has now been in possession of the family for almost a century was the scene of H. L. Huber's youthful exploits and activities. He was trained in the work of the ficlds and through the school sessions pursued his studics, while later he became a high-school student in De Graff, Ohio. There he completed the course and was graduated in 1884, after which he engaged in tcaching school for three sessions in Logan county. Belicving, however, that he would find the pursuits of commercial life more congenial, he came to Dayton and entered the Miami Commercial College, from which he was graduated in 1884. He then became a stenographer and in 1887 entered the employ of the Dayton, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway Company, now a part of the Cincin- nati, Hamilton, Hocking & Dayton. ITe filled the position for three ycars in
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Dayton, after which he accepted the position of bookkeeper in the Dayton Spice Mills, where he remained for four years. On the expiration of that period he be- came bookkeeper for the Dayton Paper Novelty Company and was made its secretary.
On the 12th of May, 1891, Mr. Huber was united in marriage in Union City, Indiana, to Miss Jennie M. Wolf, a daughter of Fred Wolf, now deceased, and they have two children, Earl B. and Florence Alene. Mr. Huber is a member of the Knights of Pythias and has become a Knight Templar Mason. He also be- longs to the Grace Methodist Episcopal church and these qualities indicate much of the nature of his interests and the relations which govern his actions. In all his business career he has been stimulated by a laudable ambition, realizing the fact that within the individual and not in his environment lies his success. He has been willing to pay the price of concentrated effort, close application and unfalter- ing perseverance in order to win advancement and is thus gradually working his way upward, while his associates and colleagues have become cognizant of his worth and ability.
WILLIAM H. HOSKOT.
William H. Hoskot, assistant postmaster of Dayton, was born in this city, November 21, 1852. When the days of his early boyhood had passed, his time during that period being largely given to the acquirement of a public-school educa- tion, he secured employment in a brickyard, being at that time a little lad of ten years. He worked there through the summer and then secured a position in the employ of T. A. Phillips, manufacturer of cotton batting, remaining in that service for sixteen months. He next worked for Henry Dornbusch, driving a cart, after which he went into the Journal office, where he served for a year as office boy. His next employment was as cash boy in the Beehive Dry Goods store, where he remained for seven years, his willingness to work, his faithfulness and ready adap- tability bringing him through successive promotions to the position of bookkeeper. He then entered the Second National Bank as messenger and for seven years was connected with the financial affairs of that institution. Resigning his position to engage in business on his own account he established a steam laundry in 1877. This he conducted until 1893 when his plant was destroyed by fire. About that time he received the appointment of deputy criminal court clerk, serving for two years, after which he was made chief deputy and occupied the position for ten years. In 1906 he was appointed assistant postmaster of Dayton, in which con- nection he is capably administering the affairs of the office in a most businesslike manner, the work being thoroughly systematized while promptness and accuracy characterize every department.
On the 24th of June, 1874, Mr. Hoskot was married in Dayton to Miss Fan- nie C. Schaeffer and they had four children : Minnie R., the wife of J. H. Merkle; Tom S .; Catharine I., the wife of Albert King; and Florence. Mrs. Hoskot died May 2, 1909. Mr. Hoskot is well known in several fraternities, holding member- ship with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Foresters, the Woodmen and
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the Elks and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit which underlies these orders. He belongs also to the Bicycle and Garfield Clubs and his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the First Reformed church. In his different business associations Mr. Hoskot has ever commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been connected while his official record has at all times been characterized by an unfaltering and faithful performance of duty.
W. A. CHAMBERLIN.
W. A. Chamberlin, a prominent farmer of Miami township, Montgomery county, manages one hundred and ten acres of land on the Springboro pike about three and a half miles from Miamisburg, and six and a half miles from Dayton. He was born on the Ist of September, 1857, in Warren county, Ohio, on his father's farm, and is the son of John and Meribah (Emley) Chamberlin. His paternal grandfather, James Chamberlin, whose wife was Miss Mary Anna Cox in the days of her maidenhood, was the first of the family to come to this state and he did his share in clearing the land for habitation and farming. He came from Monmouth county, New Jersey, in 1800, and it is recounted how he made the journey across the mountains in a comparatively crude vehicle. He cleared his place, and his son John Chamberlin was born on this farm, which was also the birthplace of his grandson, the subject of this sketch. John Chamberlin was reared in Warren county and attained to a position of prominence in the com- munity. He died in 1908 at the advanced age of eighty-six, and with his helpmeet, who was eighty-three when she answered the call of death, lies buried in Franklin. He was the father of seven children: Maggie E., of Miamisburg; James C., of Dayton ; Mary Ann and Irvin, both deceased; W. A., of this review; Frank, of Dayton ; and Alice, of Warren county.
W. A. Chamberlin was reared at home and received his education in the schools of this section. During his student days he was ever fond of his books and the same eagerness for learning and desire to keep abreast of the times has marked his later years, so that he is a man very conversant with the things that interest and concern his fellowmen the world over. He has always followed the life of a farmer, from the days of his childhood, through his school period, until he was able to enter upon the cultivation of the soil for himself. It is needless, therefore, to say that he has won a fair fortune from his vocation, and he is both success- ful and prominent in the township.
In 1879 Mr. Chamberlin married Miss Sarah A. Parker, the daughter of Thomas and Adaline Parker. Two children have been born to them : Parker, the elder, married Miss Della Simpson, who has borne him a son, Francis. Adda, the daughter, is a graduate of Franklin and Zook school, and though she has the ma jority of her interests in Dayton and goes there almost daily, she makes her home on the farm.
A successful farmer well and favorably known throughout this county, Mr. Chamberlin is a man who attains to distinction in whatever he undertakes and among whatever set of people he happens to join. Among the Knights of Pythias,
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in whose ranks he belongs, he is conspicuous for the active interest he has ever evinced in the welfare of the organization and in his fraternal brothers. In the Methodist Episcopal church as well he has made himself all but indispensable
WILLIAM KUNTZ.
William Kuntz, whose commercial record has been characterized by the or- derly progression which follows close application and intelligent appreciation for and understanding of opportunities, is now known as one of the foremost grocers of Dayton, in which line of business he has operated for more than two decades. He was born upon a farm in Mad River township, Montgomery county, Ohio, March 28, 1866.
As the name indicates the family is of German lineage and had its origin in America only in the preceding generation, for his father, Joseph Kuntz, was a native of Alsace, Germany, living in that border district between France and Germany which for centuries has been disputed territory. His natal day was February 17, 1832, and before he was twenty years of age he came to the United States, being influenced in his choice of Montgomery county as his destina- tion by the fact that he had friends living within its borders. Soon after his arrival he sought and obtained employment at farm labor and subsequent to his marriage he purchased twenty-seven acres of land and began gardening. To this he added twelve acres by additional purchase situated on the city cor- poration land and included two dwellings and a store. As the year passed he prospered in his undertakings and made investment in real estate within the city limits, becoming in the course of years the possessor of a very desirable com- petence. His political allegiance was given to the democracy and while he was not a politician in the sense of office seeking he served as supervisor of Mad River township. Both he and his wife were members of the Holy Rosary Cath- olic church. It was on the 7th of October, 1855, that Mr. Kuntz was married to Miss Magdalene Wolf, who was born in Germany, July 16, 1834. She crossed the Atlantic in the same year her future husband made the voyage and after liv- ing for two years in Cincinnati, she removed to Dayton. Their marriage followed shortly afterward and they continued residents of Montgomery county until called to the home beyond. Joseph Kuntz carried on farming until 1893 when he re- tired to spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. He died June 4. 1908, having for about three years survived his wife, who passed away in 1905. They became the parents of ten children : John, Joseph, Maggie, Katie, George, William, Frank, Magdalene, Mary and Clara.
The youthful days of William Kuntz were spent in the usual manner of farm lads of the locality and period. He completed his education in the parochial schools, after attending the public schools for a few years, but at the age of thir- teen put aside his text-books to assist his father, who was engaged in market gardening. He was thus busily occupied until 1889, when, desiring to start upon an independent business career, he came to Dayton and opened a grocery store, which he has since conducted. As the years have gone by he has developed an ex-
WILLIAM KUNTZ
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tensive and growing trade and is now one of the leading grocery merchants in his part of the city. He carries a large and well selected line of goods and his reasonable prices and honorable dealing have been salient features in the at- tainment of his success.
On the 13th of November, 1888, Mr. Kuntz was united in marriage to Miss Anna G. Kinzig, who was born in Mad River township in October, 1868. Her father, Valentine Kinzig, came to America in 1853 from Kissering, Baden-Baden, Germany, and located in Dayton, where he still resides. For nearly forty years he was engaged in the butchering business in this city, but in 1908 he retired and is now enjoying a well earncd rest. He married Miss Lena Hasenstab, who was also a native of Germany, born in Rodenbuch, Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, and came to the United States in 1847. She, too, is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Kuntz have two children: Victor G., born December 4, 1889; and Leona, born December 29, 1893.
Mr. Kuntz is well known through his fraternal relations. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of St. John. In the latter he was formerly paymaster of the Seventh Battalion and on the 30th of January, 1896, he became major of the Third Ohio Regiment of the order. When the order met in national convention in June, 1896, a merchant of this city offered a handsome gold-mounted sword and belt to be voted to the most popular sir knight in Dayton. In this contest five thousand, eight hundred and eighty-five ballots were cast for Mr. Kuntz, who was, there- fore, the winner by more than fourteen hundred votes. He has been very active in the order, having sole supervision of the banquet at the celebration of the twen- ty-fifth anniversary of the founding of Commandery No. 104, the first Catholic uniformed organization of the United States. He has also represented the order in various national conventions. Both he and his wife are members of the Holy Trinity church and Mr. Kuntz is recognized as a democratic leader of the third ward which he has twice represented in the city council and at present is a candi- date for council at large, his election being generally conceded. He is a man well qualified by nature for leadership for he not only has a commanding way but also a most genial spirit which, combined with his unfailing courtesy, renders him popular wherever he is known.
CHARLES RUEBUSH.
Charles Ruebush is an enterprising and progressive farmer of German town- ship managing a tract of one hundred acres for Mrs. Margarct Schaeffer. This farm is located on the township line, two and a half miles west of Miamisburg. Mr. Ruebush was born in Augusta county, Virginia, June 24, 1874, a son of John Rucbush. The father was likewise born in Virginia and while living in the south served in the Confederate army during the Civil war. Subsequently he removed to this state, settling on a farm in Preble county, operating land for some twenty years. At the end of that time he returned to his native state, where he is now living retired. He wedded Mrs. Maria Blackwell, ncc Gilmore, and their mar-
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riage has been blessed with two sons and a daughter, our subject being the young- est of the family. The others are: George, who on the 4th of October, 1888, wedded Miss Mary E. Phillips, by whom he has four children, Earl, Eddie, Mol- lie and Leah, the two last named being twins ; and Bessie.
Charles Ruebush was quite young when brought by his parents to Montgomery county from his native state in the south, so that he has practically been reared here, where he also acquired his education. When not employed with his studies he assisted his father in the work of the farm, early becoming familiar with the best methods of agricultural pursuits. He is now managing the farming interests of Mrs. Margaret Schaeffer, the tract which he is operating comprising one hun- dred acres. That Mr. Ruebush thoroughly understands his work is indicated by the fine crops which are annually stored in the granaries.
Mr. Ruebush was married in December, 1902, to Miss Mary Aletta Schaeffer, of Montgomery county, a daughter of Moses and Ella Schaeffer, who still reside in this section of the state. Four children grace the home of Mr. and Mrs. Rue- bush ; Frank Lester, Mary Elizabeth, Margaret and John B. The parents belong to the Reformed church, in which they are active and helpful workers. They are young people who are well known in this locality, where they have spent almost their entire lives and the hospitality of their pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by many friends.
JESSE REED LINDEMUTH.
Jesse Reed Lindemuth, much of whose life has been devoted to public service in official capacities, is now acting as a member of the board of review in Dayton and his labors have their basis in a desire for the general good and are guided at all times by a public-spirited citizenship. Mr. Lindemuth is a native of Mont- gomery county, Ohio, his birth having occurred in Germantown, December 6, 1850. In his infancy, however, his parents removed to Farmersville, this county, where he was reared and obtained his early education. He afterward continued his studies in the Dayton schools and also spent one year in Wittenberg College. When eighteen years of age he began teaching and followed that profession at intervals unti! 1886, proving a capable educator who imparted clearly, readily and concisely to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He took up public ser- vice in 1886 when he entered the county recorder's office, his close application to his duty there winning him promotion until he eventually became chief deputy. He acted in that capacity until 1891 when his previous capable service won public recognition in his election to the office of recorder of Montgomery county. He served through the regular term of three years and during an eight months exten- sion caused by a change in the law relative to county offices. He retired from office as he had entered it-with the confidence and good will of all concerned- and for a year thereafter he engaged in the insurance business but at the end of that time was again called to public office. In 1898 he was elected mayor of Day- ton and by reelection served for four years, his administration being characterized by various progressive movements and by needed reforms and improvements. His service was indeed of a most businesslike character and received uniform en-
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dorsement. Later Mr. Lindemuth occupied a position on the police board for a year and in 1903 was appointed a member of the board of review, in which capac- ity he has continued to the present time or for a period of six years, being re- cently reappointed for another term of five years. Even before he came to Day- ton he had done capable public service, having for seven years been a member of the board of teachers' examiners of Montgomery county while in Farmersville he served both as township clerk and as a member of the town council.
Mr. Lindemuth is married and has one daughter, Hattie L., and he resides with his wife, Esta J. at a very comfortable home at No. 19 Crescent street. He is well known in Masonry, having joined the order in 1877. He has attained the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite and is a past commander of Reed Com- mandery. He has also become a thirty-second degree Mason in the Scottish Rite and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs also to Iola Lodge, K. P., to Earnshaw Camp. S. V. and to the First Reformed church. His sterling qualities of manhood have gained for him a firm hold on the friendship and regard of those with whom he has come in contact through professional, political or social rela- tions.
WILLIAM W. SHADE.
The Shade family, of which William W. Shade is a worthy representative, is one of the most prominent in Montgomery county, having lived here from early pioneer times. Jacob Shade, the grandfather of our subject, was the first to settle in Montgomery county, he having come here from Pennsylvania. He became the father of three children but all are now deceased, these being Polly, Nelson and Jacob, Jr. The second named, Nelson Shade, was born in Ohio and after reaching years of maturity engaged in farming, eventually becoming the owner of three hundred acres in Montgomery county. He wedded Miss Elizabeth Weaver and their union was blessed with six children, namely: Eli, a resident of Gettysburg ; William W., of this review; Lindey; John; Amanda; and Sarah. He became quite a prominent citizen of this locality, fully meriting the high regard and esteem in which he was uniformly held.
William W. Shade, the second in order of birth in the father's family, was born on the home farm in Montgomery county, April 5. 1843, and attended the district schools of the neighborhood, beginning his education in the Moritz school. During the periods of vacation he assisted his father in the work on the home farm and thus gained practical knowledge of the best methods of farm work. He is now the owner of forty-one acres of as fine farm land as can be found in this section of the county, his place being located on the Gettysburg road, a mile north of Miamisburg, so that while enjoying the freedom of a rural life he can also have the advantages that are to be obtained in the city.
Mr. Shade in early manhood established a home of his own by his marriage in December, 1865, to Miss Lydia Stupp, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Stupp, by whom there were born three children: Ed, who first wedded a Miss Oelwein and after her death married Melvina Weiser and has two children : Lizzle, deceased ; and Harley. Mr. Shade was again married in 1889, his second union
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being with Christina Paul and a daughter of George and Mary (Brandt) Paul, and a native of Germany. There are two children of the last marriage: Jennie, the wife of Dan Itler ; and Joseph W., who is at home and manages the farm for his father. Joseph W. was educated in district school No. 8 and wedded Miss Eva Krepner, a daughter of John and Ida Krepner. The Krepner family, like the Shade family, is one of prominence in Montgomery county, being identified with the tobacco business. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Shade make their home on his father's farm and he is an enterprising young farmer. The family belong to the Lutheran church, in which they take a very active and prominent part. Mr. Shade has ever lived an honorable and upright life and is a worthy repre- sentative of a family that has been identified with the substantial upbuilding of this great commonwealth and which has exerted a wide influence throughout this section of Ohio.
JOHN ANDREW JONES.
John Andrew Jones is a general farmer of Miami township, owning thirty- five acres of valuable land, located just outside the corporation limits of Miamis- burg, on West Linden avenue. He was born in Frederick county, Maryland, May 4, 1853, a son of George and Elizabeth (Waldick) Jones. The former was a son of Jacob and Polly Jones, who left their native state of Virginia and settled in Frederick county, Maryland, where they reared their family, they being among the first settlers of Frederick county. Jacob Jones was a cooper by trade and followed the occupation of farming. His son George, who became the father of our subject, was a native of Frederick county and like his father, learned the cooper's trade. He also engaged in farming pursuits and passed away in the year 1900, being at the time of his demise one of the oldest residents of his lo- cality. Unto him and his wife were born eight children: Sarah, the wife of John M. Sigler, by whom she has eight children, Vilo, Erma, Lizzie, Mayme, Bessie, John, Edna and Alonzo; John A., of this review; Louisa, who has departed this life; Emma; George, a resident of Ohio; Charles, who still makes his home in Maryland ; Louis, also of Ohio; and one who died in infancy.
John A. Jones was reared in the south, remaining upon the home farm dur- ing the period of his boyhood and youth. It was there that he was trained to habits of economy, industry and frugality, which has served him well in his later life since depending upon his own resources. As the years passed and brought him prosperity he invested his money in his present fine tract of thirty-five acres, situated in Miami township. It is improved with a good modern residence, barn and other outbuildings and owing to its close proximity to the city of Miamis- burg, the family can obtain all the advantages that are afforded those who live within its borders, while they can also enjoy the quiet of a rural existence.
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