USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 63
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Mr. Jones was married to Miss Jennie L. House in February, 1877. Mrs. Jones is a daughter of Levi and Sarah (McBride) House, who removed from Maryland to Montgomery county and became prominent farming people of this section. They reared a large family, of whom Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Emma Grimes and
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George W. House live in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were the parents of nine children, five sons and four daughters : Mayme, the wife of Oscar Joy, by whom she has three children, Mary, Ethel and Walter ; Edgar, who wedded Stella Hofer and who has four children, Carl, Glenna, Eva and Iva, twins; George; John ; Bertha : Jennie; Robert ; Stella, who has passed away; and Stanley.
Mr. Jones is identified with the republican party but aside from serving two years as school director has filled no public office. He belongs to the United Brethren church. Quiet in his manner of living, he finds his greatest pleasure at his own fireside in the companionship of his wife and children, and yet he possesses many traits of character that has caused the hospitality of his home to be enjoyed by his friends in the city as well as the country, and wherever he is known he is highly esteemed.
JOST DURST.
Jost Durst is now living retired in Dayton. His life for many years, how- ever, was one of intense and well directed activity, as he put worth earnest and effective efforts in the operation of life's labors. Now, however, he has reached the age of seventy-nine years and for some time has enjoyed that rest which should ever crown old age. His has been an active, useful and honorable life, gaining for him the unqualified respect and confidence of many friends. He was born in the Canton Glarus, Switzerland, on the 27th of April, 1830, and continued a resident of the land of the Alps until the 20th of November, 1848, when he bade adieu to friends and native land and started for the new world, taking passage on a sailing vessel which on the 7th of February, 1849, dropped anchor in the harbor of New Orleans. From the Crescent City he made his way northward to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he arrived on Friday, the 19th of February. The fol- lowing day he secured employment with a market gardener, working from three o'clock in the morning until ten in the evening for the sum of six dollars per month. The following summer his compensation was increased to ten dollars per month, a fact which indicates he proved his worth to his employer. He con- tinued in Cincinnati and vicinity until 1855, when he removed to Carlisle, Ohio, and after living there for a time established his home at Mud Lick, in Montgomery county. In July, 1857, he removed to Dayton and entered the employ of Kneisell & McIntire, grocers, with whom he remained from July until September, 1857. In September of the latter year he established a retail grocery business on his own account on East Fifth street and was continuously and successfully connected with the trade there until February, 1865, when he sold out and turned his attention to the grain business. He was in that line for five years and in 1870 began the opera- tion of a flour mill, remaining in that line for thirty-seven years, or until April 27, 1907. He was thus connected with business long after the age when most men put aside active duties, his sound judgment and spirit of enterprise making him an important factor in the trade interests of the city and bringing him also a sub- stantial and gratifying success. He was never known to take advantage of an- other in any business transaction and his fair dealing, coupled with his unremit-
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ting diligence, made him a valued representative of the industrial interests of the city.
On the 9th of March, 1852, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Mr. Durst was united in marriage to Miss Mary Anna Blesi, and unto them were born eight children, of whom four reached years of maturity, namely: Mary, the widow of John Kramer : John W .: Charles S., who departed this life February 28, 1908; and Edward Grant.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Durst has become well known as a prominent Mason, having taken the Knights Templar degree in the York Rite, while in the Scottish Rite he has become a consistory Mason. He is in hearty sympathy with the beneficent spirit and purposes of the craft and is equally loyal to the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, with which he has long been connected in mem- bership relations. In politics he is a republican where national issues are in- volved but casts an independent local ballot nor has he ever sought or desired office as a reward for party fealty. He has always concentrated his energies upon his business affairs, living the life of an enterprising man, who realizes that success depends upon the individual and not upon circumstances or environment. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world and no native born son of America is more loyal to her institutions and the country at large.
CHARLES H. WINCH.
Charles H. Winch is a member of the city board of review of Dayton and well known as a leader in republican circles. He is thoroughly conversant with important questions and issues of the day and with the local political situation and his labors and opinions have been influencing factors in guiding the destiny of the republican party in this city. His birth occurred in Watertown, New York, in 1869 and he was there reared, acquiring a public-school education. At the age of seventeen years, however, he put aside his text-books and began learning the machinist's trade, at which he worked in the east for two years. He then came to Dayton, arriving in this city on the 24th of February, 1889. He came as one of the operatives of the Davis Sewing Machine Company which removed its offices from Watertown to Dayton at that time and continued with the com- pany until 1896 when his activity in political circles led to his selection for a posi- tion in the office of the county clerk. There he acted as deputy for five years or until April, 1901, when he was elected clerk of the police court of Dayton and served for six years and eight months or until the Ist of January, 1908. On the Ist of June following he became a member of the city board of review and is now giving his time and energies to the performance of the duties of that posi- tion, being regarded as a capable official whose reliability no man questioned.
In October, 1894, in Dayton Mr. Winch was united in marriage to Miss Josephine E. Hirsch and they have one son, Franklin R. Mr. Winch is well known and prominent in fraternal and social organizations. He belongs to the blue lodge of Masons and is a worthy examplar of the craft. He is likewise connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Sons of
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Veterans, the fraternal order of Eagles, the Modern Woodmen, the Independent Order of Foresters and the Harugari Liederkranz. He is in hearty sympathy with these organizations in their benevolent as well as their social aspect and those who know him recognize the fact that he understands and appreciates the de- pendence of man upon his fellowmen nor is he ever remiss in meeting these obliga- tions.
ARTHUR GIESLER.
Arthur Giesler, a consulting engineer, whose comprehensive knowledge of his business in all its scientific as well as its practical phases has brought him a gratifying patronage, was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1852. He came to America in 1881, when a young man of twenty-nine years, attracted by the broader business opportunities and advantages of the new world. Locating first in Ham- ilton, Ohio, he there remained for a year as engineer and draughtsman in the Niles Tool Works, and in 1882 he removed to Dayton, where he entered the employ of the Stillwell-Bierce Manufacturing Company. He remained with that house through all the changes in partnership until 1906, the last change leading to the organization of the Platt Iron Works. At that date he opened an office as a con- sulting engincer at No. 29 Broadway, New York, and also in Dayton. He has since established himself in his profession as one well qualified for onerous duties along that line, for as the years have passed his practical experience has broadened his knowledge and promoted his efficiency, while study and research in scientific lines have also been factors in making him the competent consulting engineer that Dayton knows.
Mr. Giesler was married in Prussia in 1880, to Miss Christina Himioben. He is a member of the Dayton Club, the American Society for Testing Materials and the National Waterworks Association. He also belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity in this city and he was rcared in the Lutheran church. His political alle- giance is given to the democracy and he has served as waterworks trustee for seven years, while for two years and eight months he was a member of the board of public service. His duties in these connections were discharged with prompt- ness and fidelity, winning him encomiums from his associates and those whom he served in an official capacity.
WILLIAM GREENWALD.
Various industries contribute to the business development of Dayton, among which is that owned and operated by the Zwick-Greenwald Wheel Company, of which William Greenwald is vice president. Alert and enterprising his ready and intelligent appreciation of opportunities and his utilization of the chances that have come to him have brought him to a prominent place in Dayton busi- ness circles. He is one of the city's native sons, his birth having here occurred in 1866. His youth was passed in a manner not unlike that of most boys of the
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period. The duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground divided his time until he reached the age of seventeen years when he entered the factory of Zwick & Greenwald, his father, Jacob Greenwald, being the junior partner. From that time to the present he has been identified with the enterprise and has worked his way steadily upward, his close application, unfaltering industry and thorough reliability winning for him promotion from time to time until he is now the vice president. He thus has a voice in the management of the business, which is one of the important productive industries of the city, the house sustaining a splendid reputation for the excellence and durability of its products as well as for the re- liability of its dealings.
In 1900 Mr. Greenwald was married in Dayton to Miss Anna C. Beyers and they now have an interesting family of six children, four sons and two daughters. In his social relations Mr. Greenwald is an Elk and is also connected with the Tribe of Ben Hur. In politics he is independent, preferring to vote regardless of party ties rather than to be bound by party dictation. That his life has been in many respects commendable is indicated by the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.
CARL OBERER.
Carl Oberer, successfully engaged in truck farming in Mad River township, owns four acres of fine garden land on the old Troy pike, about a mile and a half north of the courthouse. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, June 26, 1868, a son of Jacob and Rosie (Fritz) Oberer. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Oberer, was an agriculturist by occupation and owned the farm on which the birth of our subject occurred. Jacob Oberer, the father of Carl Oberer, was likewise a farmer and landowner of Germany and was very prominent in the community where he resided. His family numbered five children, as follows : David and Fredericka, who are still living in the fatherland ; Carl, of this review ; Bertha, who came to the United States with her brother Carl and wedded Charles Suhr, a tinner of Montgomery county, who has a shop on his farm; and Sophia, still a resident of Germany.
Carl Oberer obtained his education in the schools of his native land and when about nineteen years of age crossed the Atlantic to the United States in company with his sister Bertha and an uncle. He came direct to this county and at once secured employment in a foundry at Dayton, working diligently and un- tiringly until he had saved enough money from his earnings to purchase prop- erty in that city. After disposing of that land he bought a farm in Van Buren township and devoted his time and energies to market gardening but soon lost everything owing to a scarcity of water. He still had his implements, however, and removed to Mad River township, where he was engaged in the operation of a rented farm for four years or until he had saved enough capital to make a pay- ment on his present place, where he has since carried on truck farming with marked success. He has a commodious and attractive residence containing nine
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rooms and is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community as a prosperous, representative and enterprising citizen.
On the 15th of January, 1889, Mr. Oberer was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Neff, a daughter of Samuel and Catharine (Kier) Neff, who were also natives of Germany. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Oberer have been born eleven children, of whom seven are living, namely: Gerhard, who is attending school and also assists his father in the work of the home farm; Viola; Roy ; Caroline; Matilda; John ; and Carl.
In his religious faith Mr. Oberer is a Lutheran and also belongs to the Pioneer Society and the Iowa Benefit Society. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought-which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man-and making the best of these he has steadly worked his way upward. The obstacles which beset him at the outset of his business career would have discouraged many a man of less resolute spirit, but with undaunted energy he worked perseveringly on until at length success crowned his efforts. He has gained an extensive circle of warm friends throughout the county in which he has now resided for more than two decades, his honorable and up- right career commending him to the confidence and good will of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
ROLAND W. BAGGOTT.
Roland W. Baggott is an attorney and probate judge of Montgomery county, Ohio, having been elected to the latter office in November, 1908. His birth occur- red in Louisville, Kentucky, April 16, 1875, and in his infancy he was brought to Dayton to the home of his uncle, the late probate judge, James H. Baggott. Here he was reared and acquired his preliminary education as a public school student. His preparation for a professional career was made in the Ohio State University, completing a course in the law department of that institution with the class of 1900. He was then admitted to a partnership by the late Judge Baggott and Horace D. Worman, also now deceased, under the firm style of Baggott, Baggott & Worman. This relation was maintained until 1903, Judge Baggott, however, having passed away in December, 1902. Early in the following year the part- nership between Mr. Worman and Roland W. Baggott was dissolved, after which the latter continued alone in the active practice of law until January, 1908, when he formed a partnership with E. L. Greene under the firm style of Baggott & Greene. In the intervening years his clientage has constantly grown in volume and im- portance and he has come to be recognized as one of the strong and representa- tive members of the Dayton bar. During the summer of 1908 he was acting po- lice judge of the city and in November of the same year was called by popular suf- frage to the office of probate judge of Montgomery county, in which position he is now acceptably serving, being well qualified to solve the intricate legal problems connected with the work of his office.
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On the 16th of July, 1902, Mr. Baggott was married, in Dayton, to Miss Mabel Chaffin, a daughter of George W. Chaffin, superintendent of the Fletcher Manu- facturing Company. They have two sons, James C. and Horace Worman. The family attend the First Baptist church, of which Judge Baggott is a member. He is also connected with the Dayton Bicycle Club and the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks. The social phases of life are of interest to him, but never to the exclusion of that interest and activity demanded by his professional du- ties. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and, recognizing the obli- gations as well as the privileges of citizenship he labors earnestly for the principles which he deems adequate to the conservation and promotion of good government.
HENRY LAMBERT.
Among those who have been active factors in the upbuilding of Montgomery county and who have gained a competency through the cultivation of the soil may be numbered Henry Lambert, who through this means has gained the prosperity that now enables him to live in honorable retirement in his pleasant home on one hundred and six acres of land, located in Miami township, a mile and a half from Miamisburg on the Lower Germantown road. The paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Lambert, located in Montgomery county during its early pioneer days but later removed to Indiana, where they spent their remaining years, passing away near Columbus, that state. It was their son Joseph who became the father of our subject. He made the overland journey to this state from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1800, being the first of the family to arrive in the Buckeye state. He wedded Miss Eliza Gebhart and established his home in Jefferson township, Montgomery county, following farming as a life work. He lived to a ripe old age, passing away when ninety-three years and twelve days old, his remains being interred in the cemetery at Ellerton, this state.
Henry Lambert was born on the old homestead farm in Jefferson tonwship, October 26, 1837, and at the usual age began his education, which was acquired in one of the old-time log schoolhouses in Jefferson township, the methods of instruction being equally as primitive as was the building. During the periods of vacation he assisted his father in the operation of the home farm and after reaching mature years began farming on his own account. Although he started out with little capital he has in the years that have since passed accumulated a valuable property of one hundred and six acres in Miami township and also the home where he now resides on the west side. On his farm he tilled the soil and annually gathered rich crops, which added to his financial resources until he was at length enabled to put aside all business cares and is now living retired.
Mr. Lambert was united in marriage to Miss Maria Recher, a daughter of Joseph and Catharine (Stiver) Recher. Mr. and Mrs. Lambert have lived to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary, the 4th day of August, 1909, mark- ing this era of their lives, and their many friends hope to see them enjoy many more years of wedded happiness. As the years have passed twelve children have come to Fless their union, the record being as follows: Catharine, the wife of
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William Braun, and the mother of two children, Everett and Marlow; Joseph, who wedded Miss Josie Stample, their family numbering two children, Muriel and Walter; George, who wedded Miss Anna Hartzell and has five children, Laura, Marjorie, Dorothy, Allen and Henry; Perry, who wedded Miss Lucinda Smith, their family numbering five children, Esther, Wilbur, Carl, Mark and Edna ; Charles, who wedded Miss Anna Gruver; Ira, who wedded Miss Mary Light- cap, and is the father of three children, Eva, Anna and Russell; Florence, who became the wife of John Baker but is now deceased, she having been the mother of four children, Henry, Herbert, George and Richard; Harvey, who practices dentistry in Dayton, is married and has one daughter, Vera; Maud, the wife of Peter Gebhart, by whom she has a daughter, Mildred; Ora, who has departed this life; one who died in infancy ; and Eliza, the wife of Ed. Kuhn, by whom she has five children, Luster, Carl, Earl, Harry and Vesta. The parents and all their chil- dren belong to the Lutheran church.
Mr. Lambert has spent his entire life in Montgomery county, covering a period of seventy-two years. Thinking back over these seven decades, one can picture the conditions as he actually saw them-the vast stretches of wild and undeveloped country, with an occasional log shanty or crude frame dwelling, and primitive methods of travel. As the years pass we can imagine the more modern improvements being made at the country becomes more thickly settled, homes being built, railroads intersecting the country, the telegraph and telephone lines being installed and various other improvements being made to add to the comfort of the inhabitants. All this Mr. Lambert has witnessed and we must also give him credit for having been an important factor in bringing this about and we can rejoice with him that he has lived to enjoy in his declining years the comforts of a commodious and modern home and the companionship of a host of warm friends.
J. ELLIOT PEIRCE.
J. Elliot Peirce is the managing director of the Peirce, Williams Company, owners of the Algonquin Hotel, and is also interested in the industrial affairs of the city in connection with the Marbleithic Company. The place which he has made for himself in the business world entitles him to representation in this vol- ume and moreover he is a representative of one of the old families, the name of Peirce figuring in connection with the substantial progress and development of Dayton from the days of its villagehood. He was born on a farm in Mont- gomery county, Ohio, April 17, 1861, and represents one of the oldest families of the state, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Peirce, having been members of the party who made the first settlement in Ohio. It was about the beginning of the nineteenth century that he family home was esablished at Dayton and Joseph Peirce became one of the early bankers of the city and a leading and influential man whose labors were an element in shaping the policy and molding the destiny of the city during its formative period. His son, Jeremiah H. Peirce, was born in Dayton in September, 1818, and was early connected with the Miami
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Lard Company, conducting business in that association until 1876, when he be- came senior partner of the firm of Peirce & Coleman for the purpose of conduct- ing a general contracting and building business, including mill work. They also dealt extensively in hardwood lumber and finishings and developed a large busi- ness, furnishing employment to many workmen. This became one of the im- portant industries of the city and as his father had done in the early days of Dayton, Jeremiah H. Peirce occupied a prominent place in the business circles through the middle portion of the nineteenth century. He married Elizabeth Forrer, also a native of this city.
Their son, J. Elliot Peirce, was reared on the home farm and pursued his education in Professor Robert's private school, continuing his studies to the age of twenty years, when he put aside his text-books and entered the employ of Peirce & Coleman, his father being the senior partner of the firm. He bent his energies to familarizing himself with and mastering the business in every particular, acting as an employe until 1889 when the Peirce & Coleman Company was organized and J. Elliott Peirce was chosen president. He continued at the head of the business until 1896 when the company was dissolved and he turned his attention to other commercial interests in connection with the Marbleithic Company of Dayton. He is thus associated at the present time and is also pro- prietor of the Algonquin Hotel. His keen business discernment enables him to carefully and capably control his interests and his success is the legitimate and logical outcome of his energy and intelligent application.
In 1885, in Findlay, Ohio, Mr. Peirce was married to Miss Frances Harsh, a native of that city, and they have become the parents of five children, four. daughters and one son, Elizabeth Forrer, Virginia O'Neil, Mary Frances, Dor- othy Howard and John Elliot, Jr. In political views Mr. Peirce has always been a republican, giving support to the party because of his close study of its principles and his belief that its salient elements are fundamental in good gov- ernment. He holds membership in the Presbyterian church and is a scholarly gentleman of wide reading and broad general information, while his standing in business circles places him among the prominent representatives of industrial and commercial interests in Dayton.
HON. WILLIAM HENRY MECK.
Hon. William Henry Meck, numbered among the leading representatives of public instruction in Ohio, his present position being that of principal of Stivers high school of Dayton, has also become prominently known in connection with re- publican operations, having retired from the state senatorship on the Ist of Jan- uary, 1909. His life activities have been so directed as to make his a useful career and the angle of his influence and labors is continually broadening.
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