USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 71
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EDWIN ATKINS.
Edwin Atkins, conducting a profitable and growing business as a coal dealer at No. 1221 East Fifth street in Dayton, his native city, was born August 22, 1852, and is now the only surviving member of a family of five sons and three daughters, whose parents were David Y. and Elizabeth (Dehart) Atkins, both of whom were natives of New York. The paternal grandfather, John Atkins, was also born in the Empire state and died there of cholera. His family numbered eight children including David Y. Atkins, who was reared in the state of his na- tivity and became a cooper and butcher. Believing that he would have better business opportunities in the growing west, he came to Ohio in 1836, walking from Chillicothe to Dayton. Here he followed both coopering and butchering, continuing his residence in this city until his death which occurred when he was in his seventy-first year. His wife died in 1857. She was a member of the Pres-
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byterian church while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist church. He was also somewhat prominent in community affairs, served as assessor of Dayton for five terms and was an influential man in the po- litical circles of the city. Having lost his first wife he married Margaret Mullinex and unto them were born two children, of whom one is now living-Abigail, the wife of John Kaiser.
Edwin Atkins has lived in Dayton all his life. He attended the public schools of this city, passing through consecutive grades as he mastered the branches of learning therein taught. As a young man he followed teaming and coal hauling and was thus engaged for thirty-six years but made gradual progress in his business life and when his earnings and careful expenditure brought to him suffi- cient capital he opened a coal yard of his own and has now conducted it for the past seven years, during which time he has built up a fine business.
On the 15th of September, 1873, Mr. Atkins was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Rogers, a daughter of Peter and Lavina (Zook) Rogers. Mrs. At- kins was born in Pennsylvania and her parents were also natives of that state and early settlers of Crestline, Ohio. Her father died in Cincinnati while her mother passed away in Dayton. They were the parents of seven children but Mrs. At- kins is the only one now living. By her marriage she has become the mother of eight children: Nora, now the wife of William Myers; Edwin S., who died at the age of twenty-seven years ; Willis J., who is in the employ of his father and married Etta Davis, by whom he has three children: Catharine, Elnora and Iream; Flora Lavina, who is the wife of David Kugler; Effie May, the wife of Frank Snyder and the mother of a daughter, Gladys; Stella Maud and Ida Viola, both at home; and Mary, who died in infancy. The family residence is at No. 13 Sowers street and was erected in 1881 by Mr. Atkins. In his political views he is independent. Fraternally he is connected with the Junior Order of American Mechanics and both he and his wife are members of the Dunkard church.
PETER JERGENS.
Peter Jergens, a gardener of Mad River township, Montgomery county, and the owner of fourteen acres of land on the old Troy pike, about two and a half miles from the courthouse, was born on the old home place on the 6th of Novem- ber, 1858. He is the son of Phillip and Mary (Steffin) Jergens, some account of whose lives is given in another part of this volume. Peter Jergens has passed all the years of his life in Mad River township, on his garden plot in fact, for during his entire school period he worked here, helping his father to win from the soil the desired products. The union of outdoor work and school lessons was not a bad one in his case, however, for he always stood among the first in his class and received as good an education as the schools of this locality afforded at that time. In hard, persistent labor his days have been spent, but his toil brought its own requital in increase of substance, and the satisfying knowledge that the neat appearance of the garden bespoke a man of real worth.
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Shortly after entering into manhood Mr. Jergens married Miss Magdalena Abele. She was the sister of his brother Phillip's wife and the daughter of John and Barbara (Finkmeyer) Abele, of whom mention is made in the sketch of Phillip Jergens. Three children, a daughter and two sons, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jergens. Mary, the eldest, has died, but the sons, Henry and Peter, Jr., have been spared to the couple and assist their father in his business.
Mr. Jergens is a member, as are the rest of his family, of the Church of the Holy Rosary, and is not only punctilious in his fulfillment of all his religious duties, but is also a conspicuous figure in all the activities connected with the congregation. All his life he has known what it was to work hard; he has also learned that great lesson of self-reliance, and these two things, the capacity to devote himself diligently to the task before him and the power to recognize and seize his opportunities, have combined to win for him his well deserved success among the gardeners of Mad River township.
AUSTIN J. ROSS.
Austin J. Ross, who is intimately identified with the business interests of Ger- mantown as the owner and proprietor of a large leaf tobacco plant and as one of the partners of the leading dry-goods firm in this city, was born October 12, 1864, and is the son of William F. and Eleanor (Plank) Ross. The paternal great-grandfather was not only the first of the family to come to Ohio from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, but was also among the first settlers in War- ren county. His son Robert Ross learned the saddler's trade, but was a general merchant and tobacco raiser and a man who was ever interested in all local af- fairs. His son by his marriage with Sarah Hening, William F., the father of Austin J. Ross, was born in Montgomery county and followed the life of a farmer to within the last fifteen years, when he retired to the city to live in com- parative ease. But one son was born to William F. Ross to carry on his interests as a tobacco man and continue his work.
Austin J. Ross attended the public schools for a period, and then at the age of fifteen entered a grocery, where he remained for about three years. At the end of this time he engaged in business for himself for about five years, and then embarked in the manufacture of cigars under the name of the Buckeye Cigar Factory. For about twelve years this latter continued to be his main interest in the business world, when the opportunities in the field of leaf tobacco seemed so good that he engaged in this phase of the tobacco work. The venture has more than fulfilled his highest hopes, for during the last year he was able to build a new factory in the lower end of town, which is considered to be one of the most complete in the county, and as he buys Ohio tobacco and lives right in the heart of the tobacco region he is accounted a good judge of all grades of the weed. In short he has made the best of an opportunity that promised well. As for his other commercial interests, some years ago he entered into partnership with the two Henry brothers, and purchased the clothing and general furnish- ings stock of H. A. Stutson. A few years later the partners acquired the general
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dry-goods business of Rohrer & Christian, which is conducted at present under the name of the Henry & Ross Company. Outside of Dayton it is one of the largest stores of its kind in the county ; is complete in every detail, and carries a large and well apportioned stock.
On the 27th of October, 1886, Mr. Ross was united in marriage to Miss Anna Henry, the daughter of James and Eliza (Lane) Henry. Mr. Henry was a farmer of Trenton, Butler county, and was accounted a successful man. To Mr. and Mrs. Ross there have been born two children : Robert, a student at Montgom- ery Military Institute; and Marjorie, who also attends school. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Ross is a steward and of whose Sunday school he is superintendent.
One of the leading business men of Germantown, Mr. Ross is a citizen who takes an active interest and pride in the welfare and progress of the civic body. He is especially prominent in educational matters and for a number of years has been a member of the school board. The Germantown lodge, No. 21, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows numbers him among its members, as does the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias. He also belongs to the Foresters of Germantown, in all of which bodies he takes an active interest. All who have had dealings with Mr. Ross speak most commendably of his business tactics, and rightly, for he appreciates the fact that his success is in large measure depend- ent upon the welfare and good-will of his fellow citizens.
ROBERT JACOB GROBY.
Robert Jacob Groby, a prosperous farmer of Miami township, is a son of Jacob R. and Barbara (Buehler) Groby, who live about one mile south of our subject's home, and his only brother, Samuel B., lives in the same neighbor- hood. Mr. Groby resides upon his father's farm about one mile east of Miamis- burg, on the Heinecke road. He follows a general line of agriculture, and, also like the majority of farmers of this section, has planted a number of acres in tobacco. From the public schools he received all they might give him in the way of a good practical education. It was a good foundation upon which to base the experience of the following years, which have brought their own reward for hard and diligent work in large returns. In the work of the Lutheran church he is very active, as are the other members of his family, and of recent years he has evinced a desire to enter into local politics. The years will no doubt prove his ability to act as a servant of the people, but so far he has not filled any office within the gift of his fellow citizens.
On the 5th of June, 1902, Mr. Groby was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Leibcap, the daughter of Henry B. and Sarah (Stettler) Leibcap. Her father was born in Montgomery county and is a very prominent farmer and landowner living two miles west of Miamisburg. In his family are four daugh- ters, namely: Mrs. Mary Lambert, Mrs. Catherine Warrick, Mrs. Amanda Groby and Clara, at home with her parents. All are residents of Miami township
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with exception of Mrs. Warrick, who lives in Dayton. Mr. and Mrs. Groby have two children: Pauline D. and Mary Ethel.
The difficult life of a farmer which Mr. Groby chose for his vocation has been its own reward. He has known the value of hard work, which in no walk of life is more necessary than in this, and there is every indication that in the long vista of years that stretches out before him he will win a well earned success in his life's work.
IRVIN L. HOLDERMAN.
Irvin L. Holderman, attorney at law and justice of the peace in Dayton, was born on a farm in Madison township, Montgomery county, Ohio, November 5, 1876, and is a son of Daniel R. and Mary Ann (Eby) Holderman. His grand- father, John C. Holderman, was a native of Pennsylvania and, removing west- ward, became an early resident of Montgomery county, Ohio, where he followed the occupation of farming, which was his life work. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the Union cause and did active duty for three years and eight months in the Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry as wagonmaster, enduring many hardships and taking part in various battles. His death occurred in Day- ton, May 3, 1884.
His son, Daniel R. Holderman, was born in Montgomery county, October 9, 1844, and was here reared to farm life. On attaining his majority he took up as his life work the occupation with which he became familiar in his youth until 1907, when he retired and removed to Dayton, Ohio. He was still a lad of sev- enteen years when he, with his father and brother Jacob, offered their services to the government and joined the boys in blue of the Fifty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in December, 1861. His active military service led him into battles at Gallatin, Stone River, Murfreesboro, the Tullahoma campaign and Chickamauga. He was captured in Sequatchie Valley, paroled and returned to his regiment at Chattanooga, after which he engaged in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Buzzards Roost, Resaca, Pine Mountains, Kenesaw, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesborough, Bentonville ; went with Sherman on his famous march to the sea ; was in the grand review at Washington ; and was mustered out at Camp Dennison in July, 1865.
It was in his native county that Daniel R. Holderman wedded Miss Mary Ann Eby and unto them were born two sons and two daughters, but John H. died in 1893 at the age of eighteen years. The daughters are: Cleora May, the wife of Julius H. Kimmel, of Dayton, Ohio; and Ada F., the wife of Frank M. Dickes, also of this city.
On the old home farm Irvin L. Holderman remained until fifteen years of age and during that period pursued his education in the schools of Jefferson town- ship, his parents having removed to that township in 1884. He afterward became a pupil in the Steele high school at Dayton and a year later entered the Ohio Nor- mal University at Ada, now known as the Ohio Northern University. He re- mained there through the scholastic year of 1894-5, after which he returned to Dayton and entered a private school for the summer. Later he engaged in teach-
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ing for three years in Madison township, presiding over what was known as the Buckeye school, the little "temple of learning" having been first built of buckeye logs. During the summer vacation we found him in college preparing for the law and in 1899 was graduated at the completion of a law course in the Ohio Nor- mal University, finishing three years work in one year and winning the Bachelor of Law degree. He afterward pursued a post-graduate course in 1899 and 1900 and in June of. the latter year was admitted to the bar. In the following August he opened a law office in Dayton, where he practiced until April 16, 1903, when he was elected justice of the peace and before the expiration of his first term, through his efforts and ability, the public was made to realize the importance of the jus- tice court in Dayton, he having brought the office to a higher standing, council voted him a salary, with office, library and clerk furnished by the city, and in 1905 he was reelected to serve for four years or until the Ist of January, 1910. He is therefore presiding over the justice court at the present time and his de- cisions are strictly fair and impartial.
On the 29th of September, 1906, Mr. Holderman was married in Durand, Wis- consin, to Miss Jessica P. Jellison, of New Orleans, Louisiana. They attend the Episcopal church and Mr. Holderman belongs to the Dayton Bar Association, various political organizations and clubs, Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Elks Lodge, and the Modern Woodmen Camp. Po- litically he stands upon the republican platform, regarding its planks as a safe foundation upon which to rest the superstructure of governmental affairs.
ISRAEL C. BEEGHLY.
Israel C. Beeghly, a progressive and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of Madison township, is managing the Pfoutz farm of one hundred and fifty-seven acres of rich and productive land, situated on the Wolf Creek pike about two miles west of Trotwood. The farm, which is located on the south side of the pike, is lacking in none of the improvements and accessories of a model property of the twentieth century, including a commodious and modern brick residence. Mr. Beeghly was born on the 25th of December, 1850, in Madison township, Mont- gomery county, near the National Soldiers' Home, his parents being Elias and Sarah (Erbaugh) Beeghly. The paternal grandparents were Michael and Susan (Kimball) Beeghly, the former being a native of Pennsylvania, while the great- grandfather was born in Germany. When his son Elias was about seven years of age Michael Beeghly brought his family to this county, the journey by wagon from Somerset county, Pennsylvania, being a long and tedious one. Michael Beeghly died in this part of the state and was buried in Bear Creek cemetery. Elias Beeghly the father of our subject became one of the prominent agricul- turists of the community and reared a family of ten children : Abraham and Susan, who are now deceased ; Rebecca ; Israel C., of this review ; Sarah ; Maria ; Amanda ; Elias D .; Hettie ; and George.
Israel C. Beeghly attended the district schools of Madison and Jefferson townships and his youth was a period of earnest and unremitting labor, for when
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MR. AND MRS. I. C. BEEGHLY
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he was not busy mastering the lessons assigned him, he gave his father the benefit of his services on the home farm. On attaining man's estate he chose as a life work the pursuit to which he had been reared and has since devoted his time and energies to agricultural interests with gratifying success. In addition to the work of general farming he is likewise engaged in stock-raising, now has thirty-five head of Holstein cattle and also raises some horses for his own use. The ex- cellent quality of his grain and stock insures him a ready market and he is well known and highly esteemed as an energetic, wide awake and representative agri- culturist.
In December, 1878, Mr. Beeghly was united in marriage to Miss Amy A. Pfoutz, a daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Wogaman) Pfoutz. The father is still living and makes his home with our subject. Mr. Beeghly is a consistent member of the Brethren church, doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. He has always lived in this county, so that his acquaint- ance is a wide one, and that he is best liked where best known is an indication that his salient characteristics are those which command respect and good will.
WESLEY MICHAEL.
Wesley Michael, whose industry and well directed energies have gained him classification among the prosperous farmers of Montgomery county, was born in Jefferson township, this county, May 26, 1845. He is a son of John and Char- lotte (Dull) Michael, who came to Jefferson township in 1835 from Frederick county, Maryland, the father devoting his attention to agriculture. In their family were nine children, namely: Cornelius, Rhuanna, George P., John H., Jacob Mary Ann, Wesley, Enos, and one who died in infancy.
Wesley Michael, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared upon the home farm, and the educational privileges which he enjoyed were those afforded by the common schools of the neighborhood. During the periods of vacation he assisted in the work of the fields, thus receiving practical training in farm work. After reaching man's estate he continued to make the occupation to which he had been reared his life work. He owns and cultivates a farm of one hundred and fifty-nine acres, upon which he has placed many improvements, and he has placed the fields under a high state of cultivation. The care and attention which he has bestowed upon it is manifest in the neat and careful appearance of the entire place. Aside from his agricultural pursuits Mr. Michael also operated a sorghum factory upon his place, conducting the same for about twenty-four years. He still runs a camp for the purpose of making maple syrup, and this branch of his business interests is proving a source of gratifying profit to him.
Mr. Michael has been twice married. On May 17, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Rachel B. Ranch, a daughter of Peter and Anna Ranch, and this union was blessed with four children, Rosa Jane, Clement L., Charles I. and Howard L. After losing his first wife Mr. Michael married Mrs. Minerva (McClellan) Brain, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Brain. Mr. and Mrs. Michael are members of the United Brethren church at Liberty, Ohio, in which
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he is serving as a trustee. Always a resident of Montgomery county, he is classed with its industrious and prosperous farmers and in the conduct of his business affairs he has displayed a reliability and progressiveness that have gained him admiration as well as sucecss.
LEWIS H. STINE.
Lewis H. Stine, a successful farmer of Germantown, Montgomery county, was brought into the world on the 16th of June, 1851, in Frederick county, Maryland, as the son of Henry and Mary Elizabeth ( Brown) Stine, who were farmers in that old state of colonial associations. There Lewis grew up to young manhood, filling the days with the tasks or pleasures that presented themselves, acquiring such edu- cation as was afforded in the vicinity, in fact leading just the healthy life of the average boy similarly placed. With the advent of his manhood he was possessed of the natural desire to start in life for himself. He had already chosen the woman whom he wished to share with him his meed of joy and sorrow, Miss Phebe Freshour, the daughter of Alexander and Louise (Cover) Freshour, who were citizens of Maryland. They were married on Christmas eve, 1874, and shortly after the beginning of the new year, he set out to find a place which should be his new home, He came to Ohio and, selecting a farm in Jackson township, Mont- gomery county, returned to Maryland to fetch the wife awaiting him. In the years that followed four children were born to bless their union, two daughters and two sons : Clara, who came into the world in 1875 ; Elsie, who was born three years later ; Charlie, born in 1885; and Willie, born in 1891.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Stine have been connected with farming all their years. They have been wholly dependent upon their own resources and endeavors, too. By hard work and with courage to face the problems of the day, Mr. Stine has steadily prospered. His home is one of the most comfortable in this locality and presents an inviting aspect in its situation. The other buildings on the farm, and the fields themselves, are in a similar condition that bespeaks the hard work and the good management of the owner. Mr. Stine orders his life in conformity with the creed of the church of the United Brethren, in which faith he has reared his family. Not a matter of form has been their religious training, but an integral part of their lives. As a man, a Christian, and a friend Mr. Stine is respected by all who know him.
ROBERT G. CORWIN.
Robert G. Corwin, practicing law in Dayton as a member of the firm of Mc- Mahon & McMahon, was born in Lebanon, Ohio, December 7, 1877, and is a rep- resentative of one of the old families of this state, his grandparents having re- sided here at an early day. His father, Robert B. Corwin, was a native of War-
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ren county, Ohio, who throughout his life resided at Lebanon. His death oc- curred in 1906 when he had reached the age of sixty-five years.
Robert G. Corwin spent the years of his minority in the place of his nativity and in the public schools acquired his preliminary education, being graduated from the high school with the class of 1896. He then entered the National Nor- mal University at Lebanon, Ohio, and was graduated therefrom in 1898. After leaving the university he took up the study of law and also worked on the War- ren County Record, an independent republican paper, published weekly. For two years he attended law school at Lebanon, and at different times continued to work on the paper until 1901, when he came to Dayton, after having just been admitted to the bar. In that year he formed a partnership with James Stuart under the firm style of Corwin & Stuart and later became associated with the well known law firm of Young & Young, with whom he continued for three years: At the end of that time he entered into partnership with Julius V. Jones and William G. Frizell, under the firm name of Frizell, Corwin & Jones and thus practiced for eighteen months. In 1907 he came into his present office. Since his admis- sion to the bar he has made steady progress in the profession, devoting a large part of his time to the preparation and trial of cases, in which branch of the 4 practice he has met with success.
Mr. Corwin belongs to the Dayton City Club, the Buz Fuz Club, the Dayton Bicycle Club, the Dayton Country Club, the Dayton Golf Club and the Garfield Club, and has many friends among these societies. His political views are in ac- cord with the principles of the republican party.
LEWIS M. BAILEY.
Lewis M. Bailey, a prosperous farmer and tobacco raiser of Miami township, Montgomery county, owns one hundred acres of fine land on the Jonathan Reedy road, just off of the Springboro road, about three miles east of Miamisburg. He was born February 21, 1870, on what is known in this locality as the Bailey farm and is the son of Napoleon and Amanda (Carver) Bailey. The father came to this state from Virginia with his mother and her family, who located here after the death of her husband. She has since died and lies buried in Centerville, Ohio. Napoleon Bailey was by trade a stone-cutter and followed his calling in this part of the state. He steadily advanced in business, the time of the building of the courthouse in Dayton was a contractor, doing considerable work upon the edifice. Later in life he took up farming, having purchased the old Hibbard farm. He was the father of nine children, all of whom are living: Alonzo, of Dayton ; Henry, of Miamisburg ; Perry and Clara, the wife of James D. Lewis, both living in Warren county ; Ada, the wife of Henry Dearth, of Washington township ; Lewis, the sub- ject of this sketch ; Wilbur, of Wapakoneta, Ohio; Walter, of Dayton ; and Arthur, of Wapakoneta.
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