USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 65
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In politics Henry Fiorini is a stalwart republican and fraternally is connected with the Masons. In 1882 he had the misfortune to lose his wife, who died in January of that year, at the early age of thirty-two. They were the parents of
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four children, but two have passed away, the surviving daughter being Louise Fiorini.
The son, Alfred J. Fiorini, spent his first four years in his native city and was then a resident of New York from 1879 until 1885, when, at the age of ten years he accompanied his parents on their removal to Dayton. Here he con- tinued his education in the public schools and also pursued a course in the Col- lege Preparatory School conducted by Professor A. B. Shauck. Later he en- tered the law office of Nevin & Kumler, who directed his reading for a time, while subsequently he spent two years in the Cincinnati Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1901. Immediately afterward he opened a law office in Dayton and in 1908 entered into partnership with N. W. White under the firm style of Fiorini & White. They have a good clientage and have done consider- able important business in the courts.
Mr. Fiorini is also well known because of his efficient public service in differ- ent connections. He was appointed fire marshal by Governor George T. Nash, having previously served as second deputy under S. D. Hollenbeck. He occu- pied the position of fire marshal for seven years and largely promoted the efficiency of the department. In 1906 he was chosen secretary of the board of elections, which position he is now filling. He is a valued and popular member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and he also holds membership in the First Baptist church.
HARRY M. WOLFE.
Harry M. Wolfe, attorney, ex-mayor and the present postmaster of German- town, Ohio, was born April 28, 1881, in Dayton, Ohio, and is the son of Harry R. and Ella (Rott) Wolfe. His mother is the present wife of Dr. G. C. Myers, of Dayton. His paternal grandparents were John and Susan (Rench) Wolfe, and after the death of the grandfather his widow married Judge Dennis Dwyer, of Dayton, but she is now deceased.
Harry M. Wolfe came to Germantown where he was about four years of age. In the schools here he received his early education, during a period of eleven and a half years, and then went to Notre Dame at South Bend, Indiana, where in three and a half years he completed his high-school work and two years of the classical course. Upon the completion of the collegiate work at this institution he entered the University of Michigan, from which he received his degree in law in 1905. In the September following his graduation he came to Germantown, where he opened an office on Center street and entered upon a promising career. In November of that year, when he was but twenty-four years of age, he was made mayor of Germantown. Although he was one of the youngest mayors in the state at that time, the two years of his government were among the best of those served by any similar official, and his administration was notable for the advance it made in cleanliness and general effectiveness. In political matters he espouses the republican cause and is a prominent figure in the county councils of that party. His appointment as postmaster was confirmed by the
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senate June 12, 1909, and on the Ist of July following he entered upon his new duties. The few months that have elapsed may serve to indicate in some measure the high character of Mr. Wolfe's administration of the office. That succeeding years will prove its efficiency there can be no doubt.
On the 17th of July, 1906, Mr. Wolfe was united in marriage to Miss Nellie M. Endress, the daughter of Joseph and Josie (Raines) Endress, her father being one of the well known tobacco men of the county.
Mr. Wolfe is an active politician and has served on the county committees and in the conventions that regulate and take charge of local politics. He also takes an active part in the several fraternal and social organizations to which he belongs. He is secretary of Friendship Lodge, No. 21, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the Masonic lodge of Germantown, and Trinity Chapter, No. 44, R. A. M., of Miamisburg. The Junior Order of United American Mechanics numbers him as a most energetic member, and he is now serving as treasurer of that order. In short, he is a young man, of little experience as yet, who, to use a colloquial expression, does not let any grass grow under his feet, but who has shown a real desire to receive favors which he can prove he is worthy of at the hands of the people of his community. Honest and imbued with strong principles, there is every reason to anticipate that the people will profit by any confidence they may show in his abilities.
PETER W. ARTZ.
There is perhaps no citizen in the state of Ohio who has gained a wider rep- utation among the stock breeders and dealers of the United States than has Peter W. Artz, who handles sheep, cattle and hogs but makes a specialty of the former. He makes his home on a well improved farm of one hundred and forty-three acres in Wayne township, which was also the place of his birth, his natal day being September 15, 1855. The father, Henry H. Artz, was born near Fredericksburg, Washington county, Maryland, in 1822 and when a lad of nine years accompanied his parents on their removal from Maryland to a farm near Fairfield, Ohio, the journey being made by wagon and requiring thirty-three days. He was a youth of fifteen when he took up his abode upon the farm which has since been his home and which is now owned by our subject. The father acquired his education in the schools of this neighborhood and after com- pleting his studies engaged in teaching two or three years. He then took up the occupation of farming, which he followed throughout his active business career but he is now living retired, making his home with his son Peter. He has reached the very advanced age of eighty-seven years. In early life he was united in marriage to Miss Susan Crow, who was born in Virginia in 1827 and was but two years of age when she was brought from her native state to Ohio. She gave her hand in marriage to Henry H. Artz in Miami county in 1847, and they lived happily together until separated by death, Mrs. Artz passing away in the faith of the Methodist church, January 6, 1892, her remains being interred in the cemetery at New Carlisle. She had lived a long, honorable and useful life,
P. W. ARTZ AND FAMILY
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being sixty-five years of age at the time of her demise. Mr. Artz, like his wife, is a devoted Christian, holding membership in the Osborn Methodist church and has always taken an active part in all church work.
Peter W. Artz spent the period of his boyhood and youth much in the usual manner of farm lads, assisting his father in the work of the fields during the plowing, planting and harvesting seasons, while in the winter months he pursued his studies in the district schools of the neighborhood, where he gained his liter- ary knowledge and later he pursued a business course in Wilt's Commercial Col- lege at Dayton. After completing his education he started out upon an inde- pendent business venture by farming and breeding high grades of stock. He has now become one of the most successful breeders of Hampshire Down sheep in the country, making importations from England nearly every year and in August of the present year received a shipment from that country. He makes shipments to nearly every state in the Union and each year exhibits his stock at the Columbus State Fair and also at the International Live Stock Show at Chi- cago, having acted as judge at the latter for three successive years. He has car- ried off many prizes from the various places he has made exhibits and has won a national reputation as a stock breeder. Until recently he bred Red polled cat- tle and Poland China hogs, making exhibits of these at the county fair. In ad- dition to his interests in this connection, Mr. Artz also gives some time to gen- eral farming and is now the owner of the homestead property of one hundred and forty-three acres.
Mr. Artz chose as a companion and helpmate Miss Ida M. Scarff, of Miami county, Ohio, their marriage being celebrated September 13, 1883. Her parents, B. B. and Harriett (Neff) Scarff, are now living retired. Mr. Scarff was formerly a farmer of Miami county and took an active and helpful part in pub- lic measures, having held the office of commissioner of Miami county for seven years, while for several years he filled the offices of mayor and justice of the peace in Tippecanoe City, Ohio.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Artz lived on a farm adjoining that of her father in Miami county, which he cultivated four years and then re- moved to Bethel township, Clarke county, making his home there fifteen years, prior to taking up his abode on his present home farm. It was while residing in Miami and Clarke counties that four children were added to the household : Scarff B., who was born July 28, 1884 ; Marie A., born September 8, 1888; Gladys H., born July 8, 1892, and now a junior at the Osborn high school; and Judd Howard, who was born July 26, 1893, and died when sixteen months old. The eldest son, Scarff B., graduated from the Olive Branch high school and is now on the farm with his father. He was married February 17, 1909, to Miss Olive Senseman, of Miami county. Marie Artz also attended high school at Osborn and is now at home. She has taken up the study of music.
Mr. Artz supports the men and measures of the republican party and for ten years served as a member of the school board in Bethel township, Clarke county, while he was also a member of the agricultural board of Miami county four years. He has been trustee of Wayne township for seven years, and in all his official positions has ever discharged his duties with the same promptness that he displays in his private business affairs. He and his family are identified
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with the Osborn Methodist church and while residing in Miami county served six years as superintendent of the Sunday school at Palm Chapel. He is a man who possesses splendid business ability and possesses all the elements of what may be termed a "square" man, one in whom his fellowmen can have confidence. He is well known in various sections of the country in connection with his breeding interests and wherever known the name of Peter W. Artz stands as a synonym for honesty, integrity and upright dealing.
GEORGE HECK.
George Heck, a dealer in horses in Harrison township, Montgomery county, was born in this township, September 16, 1866, on the old Heck farm, on Cin- cinnati street, about two miles south of the courthouse in Dayton. He is the son of Peter and Magdalena (Boddem) Heck. The father came direct to Day- ton from Germany when he was a young man. He had received all his education in the land of his birth and on coming to the United States continued in the business he had pursued before leaving home. The capacity for hard work, which has ever been one of his strong characteristics, stood him in good stead when he started to make his way in the new country, so that it was not very many years before, by careful saving and good management, he was able to purchase the land which became the old homestead. His children were: Peter; Mary; Mort, deceased; Elizabeth ; George; Charles; Hannah ; Emma, deceased; Frank ; Rose; Amanda, deceased; and John. Peter Heck's parents could never be in- duced to leave the country which had always been their home, so it was left to him to establish the family here.
George Heck received his first educational training in the schools of this county, going to Dayton to obtain what the higher institutions of learning there had to give, but during all the years that he was prosecuting his studies he was working with his father on the farm, so that by the time that his education was completed, he was a skilled cultivator of the soil and ready to undertake the care and responsibility of a farm of his own. To bringing forth from the land a high quality of vegetables and garden truck he devoted the greater part of his time up to within the last ten years, and during this period was the owner of a considerable piece of land. He gradually drifted into the horse business, however, beginning in a small way while he still continued his gardening, and then entering into it on a larger and larger scale. There were many things about the business that appealed to him strongly, he gave to it almost all of his time and soon made it one of the largest of its kind in this part of the state, and this without ever going beyond Dayton for a market in his buying and selling operations.
On the 15th of November, 1886, Mr. Heck was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Grusenmeyer, whose parents, Michael and Elizabeth Grusenmeyer, are very prominent in German circles. Mr. and Mrs. Heck have been blessed with seven children. Irwin, the oldest son, has completed his education in the Dayton schools and is an assistant to this father in his business: Rosie and Syl-
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vester have also finished their school work; while Carl is still studying ; Agnes, Michael and Joseph are the three youngest. The family are regular in their attendance at the services of St. John's church, Dayton.
Mr. Heck exhibits by his life and the success of his business what may be accomplished by hard work and a careful conserving of resources. It is wholly through his own efforts that he has attained a position of note in his calling. Yet all his diligence would have amounted to naught were it not united with the most scrupulous honor which distinguishes him in all his dealings.
HARRY M. ALTICK.
Harry M. Altick, as proprietor of the Dayton Engine Works, is well known in the industrial circles of Dayton, while he also figures prominently along other lines of activity in this city. As the name indicates, the family is of German descent and is one of the old and well known families of Dayton, the grand- father of our subject, Daniel Altick, a native Virginian, having been numbered among the first of Dayton's early citizens. He was engaged in the brass manu- facturing business in this county and upon his demise was laid to rest in Dayton. His wife was Rachel (Wolf) Altick. His son William Altick, the father of our subject, was also numbered among Dayton's oldest citizens. A native of this city, he removed with his parents to Miamisburg, Ohio, where his father was engaged in the brass manufacturing business. There he received his early edu- cation and later returned with his parents to Dayton, where he completed his studies. Under his father's supervision he learned the brass manufacturing business and later engaged in this line of activity in Dayton. He was a soldier of the Civil war. He married Mary C. Layman and in their family were four children: Arthur, now deceased; Clara, the wife of George Coblentz, of Day- ton ; Othello ; and Harry M.
The last named was born in Dayton, February 6, 1864, and his entire life has here been spent. Although the youngest member of his father's family, he lias been the actual head of the household. Reared in the city of his nativity, he attended the Dayton schools in the acquirement of his early education and later became a student in the high school here, from which in due course of time he was graduated. He then became interested in the study of machinery and sub- sequently pursued a commercial course in the Miami Commercial College. Thus well equipped for the practical and responsible duties of life, he crossed the threshold of the business world and took his initial step as a bookkeeper in the employ of Woodell Machine Company as bookkeeper. During his connection with the firm in this capacity he gained a thorough insight into the business and when at length he felt that his experience and capital permitted, he purchased the business and became its sole owner. The salient qualities in his business career have been indefatigable energy and unfaltering perseverance, and these characteristics, combined with a clear understanding of the business in every detail and the ability to capably manage and control his business interests, have been the means of winning for him the prominent place he now holds in the
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industrial circles of Dayton. The factory is situated on the corner of Sears and New Market streets, and in addition to his manufacturing interests he is also the owner of a valuable plat situated just on the edge of the city. In his indus- trial and horticultural enterprises he has been signally successful, and he now ranks among the representative citizens of Dayton.
On the 14th of October, 1891, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Altick and Miss Estella Knerr, a daughter of Louis and Elizabeth (Hesse) Knerr, the former a retired paper manufacturer. Unto this union were born seven chil- dren: Harold K., engaged in business with his father; Mary E., Louis W., Arthur T., and Ernest E., all students at school ; Hugh H. and Robert L .. at home. The family residence is in Harrison township, adjoining the city of Dayton, and the members of his household are thus able to indulge in the delights and pleasures of rural life, while at the same time they enjoy the conveniences and opportunities offered by the city.
In politics Mr. Altick is a republican and he has served as justice of the peace in Harrison township, while he also ran for sheriff on his party ticket and through the influence of his friends made a close race. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Knights of Pythias, lodge, No. 639, of Riverdale, with the Elks lodge, No. 58, of Dayton, the Maccabees, No. 113, of Dayton, and holds mem- bership with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, No. 7. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which he has been accorded due recogni- tion of labor, while at all times he has made good use of his opportunities. Public-spirited in citizenship, his influence is ever on the side of progress and reform, and his fellowmen know him as a worthy citizen and business man and entertain for him high regard.
CHARLES ANDREW FUNKHOUSER.
Charles Andrew Funkhouser, since 1900 a member of the Dayton bar, his native city, was born in 1874. He is a son of the Rev. G. A. Funkhouser, for years a distinguished representative of the United Brethren ministry, and Susan (Kumler) Funkhouser. His youthful days were passed in his native city, un- marked by any event of especial importance, the main feature of his youth being the attainment of an education in the public schools, followed by a course of study in Otterbein University at Westerville, Ohio, from which he was gradu- ated with the class of 1895, receiving at that time the Bachelor of Arts degree. He then took up the profession of teaching in this county and followed it for three years, after which he carried out a cherished hope of preparing for the bar by entering the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he won his Bachelor of Law degree in 1900.
In June of the same year Mr. Funkhouser was admitted to the bar and at once opened an office in Dayton, where his record stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, for in the city of his nativity Mr. Funkhouser has made a creditable record and his steady progress in legal lines now places him in a gratifying position in the
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ranks of the legal profession. In February, 1901, he formed a partnership with F. M. Compton, under the firm style of Compton & Funkhouser, and they have since continued in the general practice of law with a growing clientage that is connecting them with much important work of the courts of the city.
Mr. Funkhouser belongs to no secret society or club but holds membership in the United Brethren church. Politically he gives earnest endorsement to the republican party. He does not seek office, however, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his professional duties, and the care and precision with which he prepares his cases constitutes one of the strongest elements in his success- ful practice. In October, 1909, Mr. Funkhouser was united in marriage to Miss Dhel Loofbourrow of Mount Sterling, Ohio, a daughter of John G. and Huldah K. Loofbourrow. The former was a well known and prominent citizen of that town.
ROBERT THRUSTON HOUK.
R. Thruston Houk, who has found that the path of unremitting industry leads eventually to success, is now superintendent of the Dayton Motor Car Com- pany. He has a wide acquaintance in the city of Dayton, where his birth oc- curred and where his entire life has been passed, his natal day being September . 27, 1862. He is a son of George W. and Eliza P. (Thruston) Houk. At the usual age he entered the public schools and later continued his studies in Cooper Academy, from which he was graduated with the class of 1881. He made his entrance into the business world as an employe of A. A. Simonds, a machinery manufacturer with whom he continued for two years and in 1883 and 1884 he was engaged in the paper business in connection with H. E. Mead & Company. On the expiration of that period he went south to New Mexico where he acted as assistant superintendent of a silver mine until the fall of 1885 when he re- turned to Dayton and was again with H. E. Mead & Company until 1889. In that year he became final inspector for the National Cash Register Company and for nineteen years continued with that house, acting in various capacities as his capability won him successive promotions. For sometime he acted as a mem- ber of the factory committee. On the Ist of January, 1906, he took the Kansas City agency for the National Cash Register and controlled the business of the company in that locality for a year but resigned on the Ist of February, 1907, to take his present position, having now served for more than two years as su- perintendent of the Dayton Motor Car company.
On the 20th of September, 1887, Mr. Houk was married in Cincinnati to Miss Lilly Talbott, a daughter of J. L. Talbott, and they have five children as follows: Robert Thruston, Katharine Talbott, Sarah Elstner, George W. and John Talbott.
Mr. Houk belongs to the Dayton City Club and also to the Country Club and the Buz Fuz Club. His religious views are in accord with the teachings of the Episcopal church, while his political belief is embodied in the democratic platform. He is a public-spirited citizen, interested in municipal progress, re- form and improvement, but his work therefor is that of influence rather than
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the active efforts of one who desires political preferment as a reward for party fealty. He has a wide acquaintance in Dayton and that the salient characteristics of his life are such as command uniform respect and regard is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from boyhood down to the present time.
MATHIAS GLASER.
Mathias Glaser is one of the oldest gardeners of Harrison township, Mont- gomery county, Ohio. His home and gardens are located on Cincinnati street, just south of the city of Dayton. He was born in the year 1847 at Buffalo, New York, and is the son of Mathias and Helen (Weber) Glaser. The father was born in Prussia, and served the required three years in the army. Upon his dis- charge he engaged in gardening and farming until he came to the United States. For several years after his arrival here he worked at different places, finally coming to Dayton, where he took up gardening. He purchased a tract on the Troy pike, just outside the city, which he tilled successfully for a long time.
Mathias Glaser, the son, has had a very useful and eventful life. He received his early training at home and in the schools of Dayton. After putting aside his text-books he worked for several of the leading gardeners, and after a few years had saved sufficient money to go into cultivating the soil for himself. This first venture, however, was not a success, for he lost all his money the initial year. He had not lost courage, however, and as his credit was good, he made another trial in this same line. Good fortune attended his efforts this time, as it has dur- ing the subsequent years, until he has reached an enviable position among those who till the soil in this county. His hard work in this early period was well repaid and enabled him to buy a tract of five acres on Cincinnati street, which has lately been platted and is known as the Glaser plat. A few years after this first purchase Mr. Glaser bought another tract farther south on Cincinnati street, where he has made his home during the past twenty-eight years. For forty years he has had a stall, No. 20, in the Central Market and this fact, if nothing else, makes him well known among those who sell the produce from their land. He has an at- tractive personality and a good reputation, which assures him patronage.
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