USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 64
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Professor Meck's father was John F. Meck, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany. September 1, 1816. His mother, Mrs. Christiana (Schiefer) Meck, was born in Wurtemberg, May 13, 1830, and they were married in Crawford county, Ohio, in 1851. The father passed away May 17, 1899, but the mother still
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survives and is now living in Chatfield, Ohio. They were the parents of the following named: Susan, the wife of Daniel Brinkman, living in Sandusky, Ohio; C. Frederick, of Nevada, Ohio, who was an infirmary director of Crawford county ; Lena, a resident of Toledo, Ohio; John A., of Bucyrus, Ohio, who served as jus- tice of the peace; Benjamin F., of Bucyrus, who filled the office of prosecuting attorney of Wyandot county; Sarah, the wife of Herman Hesche, of Bucyrus ; David C., who is city school examiner of Cleveland; William Henry ; Charles W., of Toledo, who was a judge upon the bench; Noah W., of Chatfield, Ohio; and Emanuel, deceased.
Born upon a farm in Crawford county, Ohio, on the 19th of June, 1865, he there resided to the age of sixteen years, the quiet and uneventful life of the country being his. In addition to the lessons taught him in the public schools he learned much from nature and found in the free open life of the fields a stimulus for physical strength and vigor. Desirous of enjoying further intellectual train- ing and discipline he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, from which he was graduated with the class of 1894, being one of the honor men in a class of ninety-four members. Taking up the profession of teaching as a life work, he accepted the position of principal in the city high school at Sidney, Ohio, and in 1895 came to Dayton to accept the position of instructor in the Steele high school. There he remained for thirteen and a half years or until the 8th of Feb- ruary, 1909, when he was chosen assistant principal of the Stivers high school. In 1898 he was appointed state school examiner by Hon. L. D. Bonebrake and served for five years. He was then reappointed in 1903 and filled the position in all for ten years, or longer than any other man in the state. On the 27th of May, 1909, he was elected principal of the Stivers Manual Training high school. His notable ability, his personal zeal and interest in his work and his advocacy and adoption of the highest ideals have logically led to his advancement in profes- sional lines from time to time, his recent promotion coming to him as a well merited honor and recognition of his worth.
On the 30th of November, 1905, Professor Meck was married in Dayton to Miss Florence A., a daughter of Henry W. Borghardt, who was born in Germany, July 23, 1845. Her mother, Mrs. Catherine ( Must) Borghardt, was born in Alex- andersville, Ohio, July 6, 1846, and they are now living in Dayton. Their children were : William and Edward W., both now deceased; Emma L., the wife of John Trautman, of Dayton ; Henry J., also living in Dayton ; Bertha M., the wife of Ralph A. Herbruck; Cora E., deceased ; and Florence A. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Meck have been born two daughters, Florence Eleanor and Catherine Adrienne. Professor Meck holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has taken the degrees of Scottish Rite in Masonry for he is appreciative of the beneficient spirit and purposes of these organizations and the social amenities thereby offered, as well. His religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Grace Methodist Episcopal church. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party and the questions which are to the statesman and man of affairs of vital import are thoroughly understood by him as he has given close study to the issues and the questions of the day and to all subjects affected by the political movements of the country. His thorough understanding thereof has well qualified him for leadership and the worth of his political service, contbined
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with his patriotic citizenship, received recognition in his election to the office of state senator. He served from the Ist of January, 1906, until January, 1909, during which time he was connected with much constructive, restrictive and regu- lative legislation. He understands not only the constitutional prerogative of the legislator but also has broad knowledge of existing laws for he has given much time and study to the principles of jurisprudence and in 1904 was admitted to the bar. However, he has regarded the profession of teaching as his real life work and has been honored by those who are his colleagues in this field of labor in elec- tion to the presidency of the High School Teachers' Association of Ohio and to the presidency of the Central Ohio Teachers' Association. He also served for three years on the executive committee of the latter. He has been the secretary and a member of the executive committee of the Superintendents Round Table of West- ern Ohio and was also called to preside over its meetings as president. His interest in his work is prompted by a broad humanitarianism as well as the appre- ciation of intellectual progress, recognizing that from the well trained mind must proceed the ability of the individual and the strength of the nation. He has long been an analytical student of the sociological, economical, political and moral problems which confront the race in the present age and his expressed opinions are presented cogently and convincingly.
CHARLES IRVIN GILBERT.
Charles Irvin Gilbert, owning and operating a farm of one hundred acres of land in Miami township, is recognized as one of the best farmers of that por- tion of the county. Born on the 16th of December, 1856, he is a native of Mont- gomery county, his birth occurring two miles north of Germantown in Jackson township, on a farm which is now in his possession. He is a son of Cyrus H. and Mary M. (Myers) Gilbert. The paternal grandparents were James and Sarah (Zeller) Gilbert, the former a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, who was the first of the family to arrive in Montgomery county. After coming to Ohio and discovering the excellent advantages offered here, he returned home and induced several of his brothers to accompany him to Montgomery county. The trip was made in 1815, James Gilbert walking all the way, while one of his brothers rode upon his horse. Thus the Gilbert family has long been represented in Ohio, being among the early settlers, while representatives of the name have at all times borne their full share in the development and improvement of the county. James Gilbert was a wagonmaker by occupation, learning the trade with his father, who was a mechanic and later in life engaged in farming. He never came to this county. The death of James Gilbert occurred in German- town when he had reached the ripe old age of eighty years, while his wife sur- vived him for several years, their remains being interred in that city.
Cyrus Gilbert, the father of our subject, was born on the old Gilbert home- stead about three miles west of Ellerton on the Ellerton and Farmersville pike. He was reared and educated in Montgomery county and engaged in farming up to the time of his removal to Germantown. He married Mary M. Myers
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and in their family were eight children: Lizzie, Charles Irvin, Ida, Sallie, Laura, Rose, Lincoln and Edmund, of whom Rose and Edmund are now deceased. The father passed away in Germantown, but the mother is still living at the age of seventy-five years and enjoys excellent health. She makes her home with her children, who are now scattered throughout the United States. She is a member of the United Brethren church and is very active in all phases of the church work.
Charles Irvin Gilbert, whose name introduces this review, was reared upon the home farm, receiving his early training in the district school No. 9, while later he attended the old Lutheran College now known as the Miami Valley Military Institute. After his graduation therefrom he engaged with his father in general farming and was thus connected up to the time of his marriage, which occurred in 1881. On the 10th of February, of that year, he wedded Mary A. Eby, a daughter of Adam S. and Elizabeth (Bertel) Eby, both of whom are now deceased.
After his marriage Mr. Gilbert engaged in farming on his own account, be- coming the owner of one hundred acres of fine land in Miami township, about three miles northeast of Germantown on the Dayton and Germantown pike. He is directing his entire energies to the further improvement of this place, has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and has installed all of the modern devices for facilitating farm labor, so that today his is one of the de- sirable and valuable properties of the township. He carries on general agri- cultural pursuits, though he makes a specialty of raising tobacco, and is regarded as one of the best farmers in his section of the county.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert has been blessed with three children, namely: Nellie, now the wife of Wilber Mitchell, by whom she has one daugh- ter, Mary Jane; John, who has completed his education and is now assisting his father on the home farm; and Robert, deceased. Mr. Gilbert is a member of the United Brethren church of Germantown and has been trustee thereof for ten years. Having spent his entire life in this county, his record is well known to his fellow citizens and he is highly esteemed throughout the community for his up- right, honorable life.
MAURICE COSTELLO.
There is no record which America holds in greater regard than that of the self-made man, from the fact that such a career is indicative of certain traits of character, among which are self-reliance, courage in facing unfavorable circum- stances and unfaltering industry which every individual must admire. The history of Maurice Costello is that of one whose start in the business world was humble but who, through his persistency of purpose and unflagging energy, has reached a creditable place as the president of the Nixon & Costello Com- pany, manufacturers of paper bottle wrappers in Dayton.
ITe was born in County Kerry, Ireland, near the lake of Kilarney, March 16. 1851, and spent his early youth in that region of picturesque beauty. He
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heard and heeded the call of America, however, when about fifteen years of age, coming alone to the new world in June, 1866. He at once made his way to Chicago, where he resided for a few weeks, and then removed to Lima, Ohio, where he remained for a year. In 1867 he came to Dayton and secured a posi- tion in the freight house of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad Com- pany, there continuing for a year and a half, after which he secured a position with the Mead & Nixon Paper Company. A year later he was given their haul- ing contract, which he had for a period of thirty years.
In the meantime, however, Mr. Costello has branched out in other lines of business and has become a substantial factor in industrial circles. It was about 1883 that he began the manufacture of bottle wrappers as a partner of F. M. Nixon but the latter withdrew in 1892 and in 1893 the Nixon & Costello Com- pany was organized, Mr. Costello becoming its president. The output of the house is now extensive, finding a ready sale and the capable management of the business has brought to the enterprise a substantial measure of success. Mr. Costello is also the president of the Peerless Paper Company of Dayton and, extending his efforts to various other corporate interests, is now a director of the Dayton Electric Light Company, of the Royal Remedy Extract Company of Dayton and of the City National Bank, and is the vice president of the Equitable Loan & Savings Association. His business judgment is regarded as sound and his cooperation is therefore a valuable asset in the control of important com- mercial and industrial interests.
On the 9th of June, 1869, Mr. Costello was united in marriage in Dayton to . Miss Bridget Sheehy and they have eight children, two sons and six daughters : Margaret M., the wife of Edward Flaherty, of Dayton; Michael J .; Mary B .; Catharine, the wife of Thomas Larkin, of Dayton; Robert M .; Terese, the wife of Peter Kuntz, of Dayton; Anna D. ; and Helen.
Mr. Costello's fraternal relations are with the Elks and the Knights of Co- lumbus. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and which, by the way, are always open to ambitious, energetic young men. Through the utilization of the advantages and chances which surround all, he has come into important relations with the trade interests of his adopted city.
HENRY BURKHARDT.
Henry Burkhardt, president of The Henry Burkhardt Packing Company of Dayton, has developed an enterprise of considerable importance, and the ability which he has displayed in managing the concern has made him one of the pros- perous citizens of Dayton. He is of German birth, his natal day being June 20, 1857, and the place of his nativity in Knittlingen, Wurtemberg. His father, Louis Burkhardt, was born in that country in 1802, and spent his entire life in Germany, where he passed away in 1868. His wife, whose name in her maiden- hood was Keppler, was a relative of the great astronomer Keppler. Her death occurred in 1878, when she was sixty-eight years of age. In their family were
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HENRY BURKHARDT
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twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, of whom six sons and two daugh- ters came to the United States, but only three sons and one daughter are now living in America, these being: Henry, of this review; Ernst, a resident of Springfield, Ohio; Charles, of Denver, Colorado; and Katherine, the widow of Gustave Ginter, of Cincinnati; while one son is still living in Germany.
Henry Burkhardt spent the first sixteen years of his life in his native land and then crossed the Atlantic to the new world. Arriving in 1873 he first located in Cincinnati, where he worked for his brother for a time, and in 1876 came to Dayton, securing employment with Adam Schantz, with whom he was connected in the packing business for a year or more. Desiring, however, that his labors should directly benefit himself, he began the packing business on his own account on a small scale and as the years have gone by has promoted and developed an en- terprise that has assumed very extensive proportions and is now one of the profit- able industries of the city. On embarking in this business he killed only twelve or fifteen calves per week, but his company now does an extensive pork and beef packing business, employing about one hundred and twenty-five men. His company has splendid facilities for carrying on their business, including a well equipped plant, their products being widely known to the trade. He still has in his possession the first horse which he ever owned and which is thirty-six years old. The animal served him well and faithfully for many years and is now cared for in its old age.
In 1878, in Dayton, Mr. Burkhardt was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Eckert, and they have four children: Louis J .; Susan K .; Minnie, the wife of Louis C. Schantz; and Henry, Jr. Another son, William, died in infancy. He also has one grandchild, Henry Burkhardt Schantz, the son of his daughter Min- nie. In 1897 the family held a reunion, at which time they entertained about fourteen hundred guests.
In his social relations Mr. Burkhardt is a Knight of Pythias and is also iden- tified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He likewise belongs to the German Lutheran church and is interested in those movements and measures which are of direct value in the upbuilding of the city and in the promotion of its growth along many substantial lines. He has never had occasion to regret his determina- tion to come to the new world, for here he finds the opportunities which he sought and in their improvement has worked his way steadily upward, gaining that suc- cess which follows honorable, persistent and determined effort.
MARION A. GETTER.
Marion A. Getter, has for the past two years been the manager of the Weaver farm, which comprises one hundred and twenty-four acres of rich and productive land and is situated on the Miamisburg and Franklin pike, about three miles south of Miamisburg. His birth occurred on the old George Shade farm near Gettysburg, Ohio, on the 10th of July, 1882, his parents being Charles and Christina Ann (Smith) Getter. The father, who was born and reared in Mont- gomery county, still lives on the old Getter homestead on Bear Creek, about
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two miles north of Miamisburg, and is one of the well known and successful agriculturists of his community. His children are four in number, namely : Mrs. Amelia Kuhns ; Marion A., of this review : and Elsie and Herbert, both at home.
Marion A. Getter obtained his preliminary education in district school No. 8 and finished his course of study in schools Nos. 9 and 7. When not busy with his text-books he gave his father the benefit of his services in the cultivation of the old home farm, thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. After completing his education he spent about two years in a tobacco factory at Miamisburg but is now identified with general farming interests, having for the past two years managed the farm of Dr. Weaver in Miami township. He has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and development and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place is unmistakable evidence of his careful supervision and well directed labor. He likewises raises some stock for the Miamisburg market and is widely recog- nized as a young man of good business ability and enterprising spirit, whose success is directly attributable to his own efforts.
On the 31st of August, 1905, Mr. Getter was united in marriage to Miss Belle Ball, a daughter of William and Lizzie (Kline) Ball. Her father, who came to this country from the north of Ireland, still survives and makes his home east of Miamisburg. He is prominent in public affairs, taking an active and helpful interest in all matters pertaining to the general welfare. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Getter have been born two children: Lawrence Edward and one who died in infancy. Mr. Getter belongs to the junior order of United Ameri- can Mechanics at Miamisburg and in religious faith is a Lutheran. He has always resided in this section of the state and is well and favorably known here, his many sterling traits of character having won him an extensive circle of friends.
RALPH A. HERBRUCK.
Ralph A. Herbruck, purchasing agent for the Dayton Malleable Iron Com- pany, was born in Canton, August 26, 1878, and his record is an indication of the fact that Ohio cities offer opportunities and advantages unsurpassed by any of the other great business centers of the world for a census shows that a great ma- jority of substantial business men of Dayton have had their nativity in Ohio. Mr. Herbruck was but two years old when his parents removed to this city and at the usual age he was sent to the public schools where he has passed through suc- ceeding grades until he had completed the four years' high-school course. De- siring more specific preparation for the duties of the business world he then entered the Miami Commercial College and, after completing his course there, accepted a position as stenographer with the Dayton Malleable Iron Company in 1898. His diligence, enterprise and business capacity won recognition lead- ing to his promotion from one position to another of larger responsibility until he became purchasing agent. Extending his efforts into other lines he is the secretary and treasurer of the Speedwell Motor Car Company of Dayton and
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is recognized as one of the influential factors among the young business men of the city.
In 1908 in Dayton Mr. Herbruck was married to Miss Bertha M. Borghardt and they have an extensive circle of warm friends while their recently established home is most attractive by reason of its warm-hearted hospitality. Mr. Her- bruck belongs to the Trinity Reform church, excluding not his religious duties by the onerous demands of business life. Socially he is a member of the Dayton City Club.
J. A. BROWN, M. D.
Dr. J. A. Brown is widely known in Montgomery county, being the leading physician of Germantown and his section of the county. He is a native of the Buckeye state, his birth occurring near Camden, in Preble county, and he is the youngest in a family of two sons and two daughters, whose parents were William and Mary A. (Beall) Brown. The father was a little lad of six years when he was brought by his parents, Joseph and Abagail Brown, from New Jersey, his native state, to Ohio. Joseph Brown was one of six brothers who in 1805 left New Jersey and entered government land in Preble county. The land at that time was wild and undeveloped but it is now some of the best farming property in that section.
The father was reared amid pioneer surroundings and was trained to the duties of the home farm, working in the fields during the summer months, while in the winter seasons he pursued his education in the schools near his home. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade and later engaged in contracting, be- coming a prominent man in building circles. He was the founder of the Quaker church near Camden, in Preble county, and became an active worker therein. As above stated, his wife bore the maiden name of Mary A. Beall, and unto them were born four children: F. A., a retired merchant of Richmond, In- diana ; Laura, the wife of J. P. Scott, of Oxford, Ohio; Minnie, the wife of F. G. Hornung, a physician of Hamilton, Ohio; and Dr. J. A. Brown, of this review.
Dr. Brown was reared on the home farm and acquired his early education in the district schools. He then took a preparatory course in the schools of Lewisburg, after which he engaged in teaching in that city for a time. De- ciding upon the practice of medicine as a life work, to that end he entered the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati and was graduated from that institution in 1878. Having thus carefully prepared for the practice of medicine and surgery he came to Germantown three weeks after his graduation and opened an office, since which time he has successfully followed his profession. He at once dem- onstrated his skill and ability as a medical practitioner and in the thirty-one years that has since passed he has built up a large and lucrative practice.
On the 5th of April, 1878, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Marie L. Singer, a daughter of Solomon and Sarah (Zitzer) Singer, the former a manufacturer and prominent citizen of Lewisburg, this state. Dr. and Mrs.
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Brown have two daughters: Edna, the wife of Dr. T. H. Dickinson, of Ger- mantown; and Helen L., a student in the Western College at Oxford.
Prominent in Masonic circles, the Doctor has attained the thirty-second de- gree of the Scottish Rite, while he is also identified with the Odd Fellows lodge at Germantown. He holds membership in various medical societies, including the County, State and National Medical Associations. He resides in a modern home recently built, located just outside the corporation limits of Germantown. He is a man of culture, generous to friend or foe, and his life of industry has brought a rich reward in the high estimate his acquaintances place upon him as a physician and a man.
ALFRED J. FIORINI.
Alfred J. Fiorini, an active representative of the Dayton bar, practicing as a member of the law firm of Fiorini & White, is also well known in connection with public service, being now secretary of the board of elections in Dayton. He was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, April 18, 1875, and there resided until 1879 when he was taken to New York by his parents, Henry and Victoria (Gori) Fiorini. His father was born in Florence, Italy, in July, 1844, and he is a son of Joseph and Catharine (Lotti) Fiorini. He acquired his elementary education in the common schools of Florence and attended the gymnasium in his native city and later attended the Academy of Fine Arts, where he was in- structed in plastics for three years and was then graduated with honors in 1865. As an Italian patriot he took part in the war against Austria which resulted in a united Italy, but the larger freedom of the new world attracted him and in 1868 he arrived in New York where he worked at his art for twenty months. During the succeeding year he was engaged in wood carving in New Orleans and subsequently spent three months in Chicago, Illinois, whence he went to Montreal where he was employed as a wood decorator by the Pullman Car Com- pany. Eight months later, in 1872, he went to Boston, Massachusetts, where for sixteen months he was engaged as designer of ornamental work and fore- man of a furniture firm. In the fall of 1873 he made a visit to his native land and was there married, after which he returned with his bride to Boston, where he resided until 1879, after which he was employed for several years at his art in New York city. In 1885 he arrived in Dayton where he has since been en- gaged in the various branches of his profession, being connected with decorative work with the Barney & Smith Car Company for about six years, while since 1895 he has been senior partner of the firm of Fiorini & Sherer, engaged in plastic decoration, plastic work, wood carving, designing, modeling and draw- ing ornamental patterns for interiors of buildings. The firm has met with sub- stantial success, having an extensive patronage, their services being in demand in the decoration of many of the fine buildings of the city.
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