USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 7
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Frank Everett Caylor was graduated from the common schools in the year 1902 and subsequently entered the Jefferson township high school, completing the course at that institution in the spring of 1906. He then took up the work of teaching and has proven a successful educator, being now principal of the schools at Liberty. He has always continued to reside with his parents on the
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home farm on section 13, Jefferson township, and for the past several years has been engaged in the tobacco business in association with his father. It is his intention to put aside his educational labors in the near future and devote his entire time and energies to the tobacco business and, being a young man of excellent executive ability, sound judgment and keen discrimination, his many friends predict for him a prosperous career. Though still young in years, he has already gained for himself an enviable reputation as a man of enterprise and progressive spirit and is widely recognized as a worthy representative of one of the old and well known families of Montgomery county.
CHARLES RETTICH.
The tobacco trade is largely represented in Germantown where are seen in active operation all the modern methods of caring for, handling, and manufac- turing tobacco. This is an important source of the city's financial progress and with the trade Charles Rettich is closely associated as a dealer in leaf tobacco. He is well known in this section of Montgomery county, where he has always lived, his birth having occurred January 4, 1874, on his father's farm on the Butler street road in German township, about two miles southeast of German- town. He is a son of Anthony and Louisa (Lonakcreek) Rettich. As the name indicates, the family is of German origin. The paternal grandfather in his latter years was a retired farmer and, coming to Ameria, made his home for a time in Germantown, but eventually returned to his native country. Later, however, he again crossed the Atlantic to the United States and spent his last days in German township. His son, Anthony Rettich, was educated in Germany and, attracted by the opportunities of the new world, made the voyage across the briny deep. He came direct to Germantown where he went to work at farm labor. He later purchased land and established what has since been known as the Rettich homestead.
Charles Rettich, reared under the parental roof, early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His education was acquired in the Swartzel school and during the periods of vacation he worked on a farm. On the old homestead general agriculture was carried on, yet much of the land was devoted to the cultivation of tobacco, and with the plant Charles Rettich thus became familiar at an early day, his knowledge thereof enabling him to judge accurately of the value of the product brought to him for purchase. In the fall of 1903 he took up his abode in Germantown and established his pres- ent business which he has since successfully conducted. He now handles and controls a large trade and his extensive sales bring him a most satisfactory annual income. He may justly be called a self-made man for he had no assist- ance at the outset of his career but through his own efforts has worked his way steadily upward and has gained an excellent start in the world.
On the 26th of August, 1903, Mr. Rettich was united in marriage to Miss Della Lantis, a daughter of C. W. and Susan (Kline) Lantis, who were prom- inent farming people of German township. Mr. and Mrs. Rettich are widely
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and favorably known in Germantown and this part of the county where their circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances. He is the only man belonging to five lodges in German township, being identified with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen, and the Junior Order of American Mechanics, all of Germantown. He likewise be- longs to the Lutheran church and his life conforms to its teachings, while the sterling principles which have guided him have made him both a successful mer- chant and an honored resident of his community.
WILLIAM A. REITER.
The enterprising city of Miamisburg claims William A. Reiter as one of its most valuable representatives. He is now mayor of the city and his administra- tion as its chief executive is characterized by the embodiment of high ideals and practical reforms. One of the city's native sons, he was born January 6, 1860, his parents being the Rev. Dr. Isaac H. and Margaret J. (Heilman) Reiter, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The paternal grandfather of our subject was William Reiter, who removed from the Keystone state to Ohio at a very early day and settled in Wayne county, casting in his lot with the pioneer residents of that district. He engaged in farming near Wooster for a long period and died when well advanced in years. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Reiter, has also passed away. They reared a large family of fourteen children, includ- ing Rev. Dr. Isaac H. Reiter. The maternal grandfather was Philip Heilman, a native of Pennsylvania, who, on his removal to Ohio, settled in Seneca county, near Tiffin, where he engaged in general agricultural pursuits. He died there at the venerable age of ninety-two years, while his wife, Mrs. Catharine Heilman, was also about ninety-two years of age at the time of their demise. Their family numbered five children, including Margaret J., who became the wife of Dr. Reiter.
The father was for many years a minister in the Reformed church, giving the best efforts of his life to the promotion of the cause of Christianity and for the adoption of the principles of the church by his fellowmen. He was the stated clerk of the Ohio synod and of the general synod of the General Reformed church in the United States, and he counted no personal sacrifice or effort on his part too great if it would advance the work in which his interests were centered. In 1854 he removed to Miamisburg, where he made his home throughout his remaining days, passing away in 1895, when more than seventy-six years of age. His wife survived him for about eleven years and died in January, 1906, at the age of seventy-six years. Unto Dr. Reiter and his wife were born three chil- dren, Eudora C., William A. and Miriam B., all residents of Miamisburg.
William A. Reiter has always made his home in the city which is yet his place of residence. The public and high schools afforded him his educational privileges up to the time when he entered Heidelburg University at Tiffin, Ohio, being graduated from that institution with the class of 1880. With broad liter- ary learning to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of
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professional knowledge, he took up the study of law in the office and under the direction of Captain Adam Clay, in the office where he still practices. After thorough preliminary reading he was admitted to the bar in 1882 and has since been an active representative of the profession in Miamisburg. His knowledge of legal principles is comprehensive and exact and he is seldom if ever at fault in his application. He is careful, systematic and thorough in the preparation of his cases and his viewpoint or his citation of any legal principle is seldom ques- tioned seriously. Aside from his work before the bar he is known as a stock- holder in the First National Bank of Miamisburg.
In all matters relative to the general welfare Mr. Reiter takes an active, deep and helpful interest. He was a member of the school board for one term and his father was president of the board for twenty-four consecutive years. In politics he is an earnest democrat and served for four years in the Ohio legis- iature as representative from Montgomery county, taking his seat among Ohio lawmakers in the session of 1890. He gave careful consideration to each ques- tion which came up for settlement and left the impress of his individuality upon constructive and restrictive legislation. Neither fear nor favor has ever been able to swerve him from a course which he believed to be right, his loyalty to his honest convictions being one of the salient features of his character. In 1888 he was elected mayor of Miamisburg but resigned to take his place in the legislature. After the expiration of his legislative term he was again elected mayor in 1905 and once more in 1907, so that he still fills the position. He belongs to Minerva Lodge, No. 98, F. & A. M .; Trinity Chapter, No. 94, R. A. M .; Reese Council, R. & S. M., of Dayton; and Reed Commandery, K. T. at Dayton. He has also attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and has been accorded high honors in Masonry, having been grand high priest of the grand chapter of the state of Ohio. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge. He stands today as a splendid representative of the lawyer, whose pro- fession is but one phase of existence and does not exclude his active participation in and support of other vital interests which go to make up human existence.
WILLIAM P. CALLAHAN.
William P. Callahan was born in County Armagh, Ireland, on the Ioth of February, 1833. He belonged to a family that, like many another that has come from across the water, sought the opportunities of the new world that advancement might be made in business lines and better advantages given to the members of the household. His parents were James and Jane Callahan, who in the year 1848 bade adieu to the Emerald isle and with their children sailed for the United States, settling at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, where they resided for many years.
William P. Callahan was a youth of fifteen at the time of emigration to the United States. IIe had previously acquired a common-school education in his native country and he further supplemented his knowledge by study in the schools of Shippensburg. He was still in his teens when he entered upon an
W. P. CALLAHAN
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apprenticeship to the cabinetmaker's trade, in which he became a thorough and expert workman. The advantages of the west, which was entering upon a period of substantial yet rapid growth, attracted him to Ohio, and in 1853 he became a resident of Dayton, where he was destined to become a prominent figure in connection with the industrial and financial interests of the city. Nat- urally he sought employment along the line of his trade, securing a position in the furniture factory of M. Ohmer. He was thus a fellow workman with Dennis Dwyer, later Judge Dwyer, at a time when a dollar a day was the average wage paid cabinetmakers and the hours of labor were from sunrise to sunset. Some months later Mr. Callahan and Mr. Dwyer left Dayton for Iowa but re- turned to this city to be married and continue to reside here.
Following his return Mr. Callahan learned the patternmaker's trade in the employ of the firm of Chapman & Edgar, and then accepted a position as fore- man in the pattern shop of Thompson, McGregor & Company in 1855. His ability, faithfulness and trustworthiness won him continued promotion and in 1857 he became a member of the firm, purchasing an interest of John Clary. Upon the death of Mr. Thompson in 1862 he purchased the interest of Mr. McGregor and became the sole proprietor of the business. From the time he assumed the management the enterprise rapidly developed under his careful guid- ance and keen discrimination. In 1876 he admitted Thomas De Arman to a part- nership under the firm style of W. P. Callahan & Company and in 1885 they were joined by his son, William K. Callahan, although the firm title was not changed. The business was founded in 1841 on Shawnee street between Wayne and Wyandotte streets. It was established in a most humble way but its gradual expansion in time made it one of the most important enterprises in this city. In 1856 a removal was made to East Third street, where the company had one of the largest and most important manufacturing plants in Dayton or even in the state of Ohio.
A man of resourceful ability, constantly watchful of opportunities, which he improved to their full extent, Mr. Callahan made continuous progress in the business world and his labors were all the greater by contributing to the general upbuilding of the city as well as to individual success. In 1865 he became one of five men to establish the Miami Valley Boiler & Sheet Iron Works under the firm name of McGregor, Callahan & Company. A few years later Mr. Callahan purchased the interest of Mr. McGregor but subsequently sold his own stock. In 1873 he joined W. P. Lewis in building what was known as the Lewis Paper Mill, on Monument avenue. This proved a success and in 1883 he became the owner of a controlling interest in the Ohio Paper Company at Miamisburg. This venture likewise proved profitable and thus the interests of Mr. Callahan were continuously broadening in their scope and extent. He became a stockholder and director in the Cooper Insurance Company on its organization and was elected to its presidency as the successor of Colonel B. E. Mead. His enterprise and business activity brought him into close relations with many important com- mercial, industrial and financial connections. He served as a director of the Dayton Gas Light & Coke Company for twenty years and for a similar period was connected with the leading institutions and insurance companies of Dayton, either as director, office-holder or stockholder. He withdrew from the director-
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ate of the Dayton National Bank and became associated with the City National Bank and was elected to its presidency in 1894. From time to time he made extensive investments in real estate until his holdings were very large. Among his early purchases were that of the Main street business and office property between Second and Third streets. In 1890 he erected the Callahan Bank build- ing which at present is one of the substantial structures of this city.
In 1859 Mr. Callahan was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kiefer, a daughter of Philip Kiefer, one of the pioneer residents of Dayton. Their chil- dren are Susie, William, Charles and Lillie. One daughter, Cora, passed away in early womanhood.
During the long years of his residence in Dayton Mr. Callahan remained as one of its representative, worthy and honored citizens. He won notable suc- cess in business yet larger fortunes were made, but the life history of no man indicates more clearly the value and power of close application, of concentration, of earnest and honorable purpose and of wise utilization of opportunity. A con- temporary biographer has said: "The story of his success is short and simple. It contains no exciting chapters but in its completeness lies one of the valuable secrets of the prosperity which it records. He began with no capital except brains, energy, integrity and rugged health. He was truly a self-made man in the broadest sense of the term. When he came to Dayton he was only a young cabinetmaker with no money and few friends; yet in that short time he built up one of the largest and most successful manufacturing businesses and contributed to the success of a dozen other prominent enterprises. He was a man of broad and deep sympathies, and nowhere was this characteristic more exemplified than in his association with his employees. They have on every occasion, both dur- ing their association with him in the business and since his death, paid tribute to his many kindnesses. The fairness and kindness with which he carried out his business methods reacted in the best way for both employer and employes. His warm interest in the affairs of every one associated with him was the out- pouring of a generous nature and his advice and assistance always went out to those in need. His ideas were strong, but with his heart close to the pulse of the people his hand was ever ready to help where the need was a worthy one."
Mr. Callahan was always in close touch with the people of this city at large and there has been perhaps no resident of Dayton whose advice and counsel have been more frequently sought or freely given. He was deeply interested in the affairs of the bank of which he was president, and at the same time he regarded the demands of every individual depositor as something to which he should give his attention. His opinions were frequently sought by patrons of the bank and no matter how trifling were the questions presented to him, he was sincere in his interest and manifested that kindly good will and thoughtful consideration that would only be expected from more important business ventures. He always demanded that uniform courtesy be extended to the patrons of the bank and that no difference should be made between the smallest and the largest depositor. Through his genuine thoughtfulness in these small affairs his bank was made a benefit to hundreds of the middle class who learned to know and love the man whom they recognized as their patron friend. He had accumulated his own wealth mainly in the consideration of small items and wise investment and thus
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he had sympathy for others who were attempting the same thing. His business acumen was keen and his ambition was surpassed only by his great energy.
Mr. Callahan was equally interested in affairs of general public moment and cooperated in every movement which he deemed essential or valuable to the welfare and progress of the city. He gave substantial, ready and generous sup- port to all municipal movements which his judgment sanctioned. He was a prominent member of the Dayton Club and of other social organizations and he made the generous hospitality of his beautiful home on West First one of its most attractive features. His affection was sincere when once placed and an evidence of his loyalty to early associations was his generosity to the little Epis- copal church in Ireland where in early life he was a choir boy. This church was never forgotten in his generous contributions to religious work and during his last trip abroad he made a special journey to the church where his boyish voice had been raised in the anthems and songs of praise and worship. His devotion to his home was one of his strongest characteristics, the interests of his family being at all times placed before aught else. He stood as a splendid type of the high-minded American gentlemen with whom contact meant expansion and ele- vation. His is a splendid example of the power and force of honorable man- hood, of earnest effort and of high principle.
HARRY HECK.
Harry Heck, a gardener of Harrison township, and the manager of the two farms belonging to the Schantz estate, was born in Cincinnati street, Dayton, June 29, 1879, the son of Peter and Theresa (Buerschen) Heck. The father, who was the oldest son of Peter and Magdalena (Boden) Heck, has always lived in this county, to which the grandfather came when he left his native land of Germany. The latter became one of the largest gardeners in this sec- tion of the country and was widely and well known. A more extended account of him is given in the sketch of George Heck in another part of this volume.
In the schools of this city and at St. Mary's Institute Harry Heck received his first educational training, but the necessity of making his own way in the world soon presented itself as more important than school work and he early entered the truck garden business. To this he has given his time and attention ever since, and he has attained a position of enviable success. If to any one aside from himself credit is due, it is to his cousin George Heck, for it was under his guidance that Harry Heck worked when he first made a choice of a vocation and from him he learned much of his skill.
In 1904 Mr. Heck was married to Miss Lillian Glaser, the daughter of Matthias and Thekla (Snyder) Glaser. The young couple are now the proud parents of three children, two sons and a daughter, Matthias, Harry and Mar- cella. The family belong to the Catholic church and are in regular attendance at its services. They are also known to be identified with all its work and are prominent among the members of the congregation.
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Mr. Heck has made his own way to the important position he occupies among the gardeners of this vicinity. Since he assumed the management of the two Schantz farms, a tract of thirty-eight acres of fine land, especially suited for truck gardening, on the Cincinnati pike one and a half miles from the Dayton, courthouse, he has by intelligent cultivation brought them up to a high grade of productiveness, until now they are among the best paying gardens in this part of the county. The industry which has been able to make these farms bear so richly is a characteristic that is ever associated with the mention of Harry Heck's name. Hard work he has never shirked, but his labor has been assisted to a vast extent by a skill and good judgment in the use of farming methods that are possible only to a man who brings his mind as well as the strength of his arm to bear upon the problems of gardening. Success and a fair name have come to Mr. Heck as the result of his labors, and they are well deserved and begrudged by no one.
ISAAC KINSEY.
Isaac Kinsey is general manager of the Kinsey Manufacturing Company of Dayton and his life record is another proof of the fact that unabating energy intelligently applied will lead to success for prosperity follows unfaltering effort well directed just as surely as the night the day. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1860, and there lived to the age of thirty-three years. His boyhood was passed in the usual manner of lads of the period, the public schools affording him his educational opportunities until he graduated from the high school. He has always been engaged in manufacturing lines. In 1894 he came to Dayton and entered business circles here in connection with the Dayton Manufacturing Company. Later he entered the employ of the Stoddard Manufacturing Com- pany and in 1902 when the Kinsey Manufacturing Company was organized he became vice president, treasurer and general manager. This company was formed for the purpose of manufacturing stoves and still continues in that line to a limited extent but in more recent years the output of stoves has been cur- tailed and the energies of the house have been concentrated upon the man- ufacture of automobile parts, in which they have built up an extensive and gratifying trade.
In 1885 in Kentucky Mr. Kinsey was married to Miss Katharine Menzies, a daughter of Judge John W. Menzies and they now have five children: Frances, Katharine, Eleanor, Lewis P. and Isaac. In Masonry Mr. Kinsey is well known, having taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite, of the commandery and of the Mystic Shrine. He has also been nominated for thirty-third degree, an honor conferred only in recognition of the utmost fidelity to the principles of the order and of capable and effective labor in its behalf. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, to the Bicycle Club, the Criterion Club, Smisser's and Mystic Club and in these organizations is well known as a popular member and always welcome by reason of his unfailing courtesy and geniality. He at- tends the Presbyterian church and is interested in all that pertains to the ma-
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terial, intellectual, social and moral progress of the community. Moreover he he an active republican and has served for two terms as a member of the Dayton council, exercising his official prerogatives in support of various progressive public measures. He is, however, preeminently a business man, alert and enter- prising, closely applying himself to each day's duties, his concentration and well directed energy bringing him to a substantial and gratifying position in the in- dustrial circles of Dayton.
WILFRED P. GLASER.
Wilfred P. Glaser, successfully engaged in business as a gardener of Van Buren township, has a valuable and well improved tract of land on the Spring- boro road, about three miles from the courthouse. His birth occurred in Mont- gomery county, Ohio, on the 20th of October, 1875, his parents being Joseph and Alicia (Burns) Glaser, the former a native of New York. Coming to Ohio at an early age, Joseph Glaser has since continued to reside in this county and is now one of the leading gardeners of Montgomery county. His family num- bered twelve children, namely: Joseph and Charles, both of whom are deceased ; John; Margaret; Wilfred P., of this review; George, who has passed away; Harry ; Blasius, who has also been called to his final rest; Mary ; Christopher ; Fred; and Morris and Walter, who are likewise deceased.
Wilfred P. Glaser obtained his education in the schools of Dayton and has followed market gardening throughout his entire business career. Subsequent to his marriage he started out in business life on his own account and the suc- cess which has attended his efforts is entirely the result of his indefatigable energy and untiring industry, guided by sound judgment and keen discrimi- nation.
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