USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 74
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John Glaser has always lived in this section of the state, but he received his education for the most part in Greene county. He went first to the union school in Booth township, then to Dayton, and subsequently to Trinity. In Greene county he completed his education. Early in his life he devoted himself to that phase of life which was to be his vocation in after years-farming. In this he has been very successful and a few years ago he commenced raising and selling live stock. Though the latter is at present scarcely more than an initial venture, through the care Mr. Glaser has given to it, it promises to reward his efforts as well as the general farming which has been his life work. To many of the people of the city of Dayton, Mr. Glaser is well and favorably known, for he takes his produce to that city to be marketed.
On the 15th of October, 1888, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Glaser and Miss Emma Naudascher, the daughter of August and Elizabeth (Knier) Naudascher, who were residents of Dayton, where Mr. Naudascher was a mer- chant. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Glaser. Grace, the eldest, is the wife of John Keechle, who is at present the manager of Mr. Glaser's farm, and they have two children, Luella E. and John R. Minnie has finished her school
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course and lives at home. Esther is the wife of Orien Kline, a farmer of Clark county. Carl married Miss Bessie Shoup, who has borne him a son, Marvin C. Edna, the youngest of the family, is through school and lives at home. The family are members of the church of the Holy Rosary, north of Dayton, and are prominent in all of its work.
Besides being a successful farmer, Mr. Glaser is a man prominent in public affairs, who has been tried through many years of service. Twenty years ago he was elected to the office of township treasurer and has held the position ever since, fulfilling his duties to the entire satisfaction of his constituents and his fel- low townspeople. In all his dealings he has been found to be a man of sterling integrity, as those who have had dealings with him in the city of Dayton can also testify and has ever evinced a commendable spirit in the service of the public.
ALBERT SITTEL WEUSTHOFF.
Albert Sittel Weusthoff, treasurer of the Young Men's Christian Association and general bookkeeper of the Fourth National Bank, whose life interests are largely indicated in these connections, was born in 1858 in the city which is still his home. His father, George H. Sittel, was born in Alsfeld, Germany, in 1815, and grew to manhood in that country, being married in Darmstadt on the 15th of November, 1846, to Miss Anna Thomas, whose birth occurred in Worms, Ger- many, in 1812. On the 4th of September, 1847, they came to the United States and after residing in Cincinnati for a short time removed to Dayton, where the father died August 10, 1862. The mother was again married in this city on the 16th of December, 1863, becoming the wife of William W. Weusthoff, who was also a native of Germany, born in Braunschweig, May 14, 1820. He emigrated to the new world October 4, 1849, and also made his home in Cincinnati for a short time, but in 1851 came to Dayton, where he was engaged in the drug busi- ness for many years. On the 30th of January, 1875, our subject was legally adopted by his stepfather and his name changed to that of Weusthoff, as were the other members of the family. There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sittel, namely : Louis, deceased; Fanny, a resident of Dayton; Otto, deceased ; Albert, of this review ; and Hugo, of New York.
The youthful days of Albert Sittel Weusthoff were passed in Dayton and the public schools afforded him his early educational privileges, which were supple- mented by a course in Miami Commercial College of Dayton, from which he was graduated with the class of 1870. Having thus qualified for a commercial career he entered the dry-goods store of Rike, Hassler & Company in the capacity of clerk, remaining for seven years, a fact which indicates his loyalty to the house and his thorough reliability in that connection. On the expiration of that period he became identified with banking interests, spending one year as bookkeeper in the Dayton Savings Bank, after which he entered the Winters National Bank in the capacity of bookkeeper, continuing with that institution for a quarter of a century. In 1905 he went to the Fourth National Bank as general bookkeeper and has since been identified with that institution. His long connection with the
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banking interests of the city stands as indisputable evidence of certain facts in his career-his accuracy, carefully systematized labors and unequivocal loyalty to the corporation which he represents.
In 1885 in this city Mr. Weusthoff was married to Miss Sarah Elizabeth LaRose, a daughter of Louis LaRose, now deceased, and they have two chil- dren, Frances and Samuel LaRose. Mrs. Weusthoff was one of a family of five children, the others being: Helen B., the wife of Eugene Wuichet, of Dayton ; Samuel L., also a resident of Dayton ; Mary H., the wife of Frank Wuichet; and William H., deceased.
Mr. Weusthoff is a republican in his political views, interested in the growth and success of the party because he believes that it contains the best elements of good government. Regarding his religious obligations as a foremost and never as a secondary consideration in his life, he has long been an active worker in the First Lutheran church, in which he was deacon for sixteen years and is now an elder. For at least fifteen years he has also been closely associated officially with the interests of the Young Men's Christian Association, in which he has continuously held and is still holding the office of treasurer. His life has at all times been guided by high and honorable principles, commending him to the con- fidence, trust and good will of his fellowmen, and no citizen of Dayton is more thoroughly respected than he.
ANTON AMANN.
Anton Amann is numbered among the young men of foreign birth who have sought the freedom and appreciation of this great and growing western country, realizing that its business opportunities are superior to those offered in the older countries of Europe. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for in Dayton he has found a fruitful field of labor and is conducting a successful insurance business.
He was born in Austria, January 25, 1870, and was there reared and educated, coming to America in July, 1890. He was induced to make Dayton his destina- iton, from the fact that he had relatives living in this city. When he arrived here he entered the employ of Philip A. Kemper, conducting a wholesale de- votional store. There he remained for nine and a half years, proving his worth in a business way by his fidelity, enterprise and unfaltering activity. He next became connected with the Volks-Zeitung as city editor, his connection with the paper covering six years. On the expiration of that period he established a general insurance agency and has since carried on business in that field.
Mr. Amann was married in Europe in 1890, to Miss Anna Duerst, and they have two children, Marie A. and Hans. Mr. Amann is a democrat, and while he exercises a quiet influence for the party he is not active as a campaign worker, nor does he seek office as a reward for party fealty, though he is now serving as notary public. He belongs to the Holy Trinity church and assisted in the organi- zation of the League of German-American Societies of Montgomery county. He was made its secretary and so served for thirteen years, or until 1906. He is
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now an honorary life member of that organization. He is also state secretary of the Central Ohio Saenger Bezirk. He is always interested in his fellow coun- trymen who seek, as he did, a home in the new world and has been quick to assist those who have made their way across the Atlantic and have become factors in the business life of Dayton.
ANDREW J. KREHBIEL, M. D.
Dr. Andrew J. Krehbiel, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Dayton, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, October 12, 1850, and there remained to about the age of fifteen years, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Cincinnati, Ohio. His education, begun in the schools of Cleveland, was con- tinued in Cincinnati to the age of seventeen years, when he entered Dr. Bigler's office to take up the study of medicine. He supplemented his preliminary reading by a course in the Cleveland Homeopathic College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1871 and then located in Cincinnati where he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Pomeroy, Ohio, where he resided until 1880 and then went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he continued for a year and a half. On the expiration of that period he returned to Cincinnati and soon afterward purchased a drug store at Mount Healthy, conducting business there for a year and a half.
Since 1885 Dr. Krehbiel has been a resident of Dayton and for twenty-two years he was proprietor of a drug store here but in 1907 resumed the regular practice of medicine and is now giving his undivided attention to the profession. His knowledge of the drug trade and of the component parts and properties of all drugs in their relation to the human system constitute an important element in his successful work in his present field of labor.
In 1870 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Krehbiel was married to Miss Louisa A. Kiefer, who died in Dayton in 1904, leaving three children: Charles J., Arthur A. and Frank W. Dr. Krehbiel has been a close student of the signs of the times, of the leading issues of political, economic and sociological problems of the day and as the result of his investigations is a socialist. His opinions are based upon comprehensive knowledge, whether in relation to the political situation or to any other phase of general interest and his support is always given on the side of re- form, progress and improvement.
ELMER E. GANSTER.
Elmer E. Ganster, a highly respected business man of Dayton, now senior part- ner in the Ganster-Keller Coal Company, was born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, in 1868. His youthful days were there passed to the age of nineteen years, during which time he attended the public schools, passing through consecutive grades until he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1894. He afterward went
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to Wilmington, Delaware, where he secured a situation in the Pullman shops, re- maining there for one year. He next removed to Richmond, Virginia, to take charge of the shops of the Richmond & Danville Railroad, continuing in that po- sition for a year, after which he came to Dayton in 1889 and for a year was em- ployed in the Barney & Smith Car Works. He next entered the employ of the Mathias Lumber Company in Dayton and his ability won his promotion from time to time, his responsibilities being continually increased until he was made superintendent of the yard. On leaving the company after seven years' asso- ciation therewith he embarked in business on his own account in 1898, turning his attention to the coal trade, in which he has since operated. Desirous of success he established his business upon a firm foundation of commercial integrity, una- bating energy and unfaltering perseverance. Gradually the trade extended to substantial proportions and in October, 1905, the Ganster-Keller Coal Company was incorporated.
On the 10th of April, 1890, Mr. Ganster was united in marriage in Dayton, Ohio, to Miss Katie R. Peters and they have a son and daughter: Carl W. and Florence L. Mr. Ganster belongs to the Masonic fraternity, to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Modern Woodmen of America. His membership relations also extend to the Methodist Episcopal church, which finds him a worthy representative in that he regards religion not only as a matter of Sabbath observ- ance but as a rule for daily conduct. His political support is given to the republican party for he has made a close study of its principles, which he regards as the basis for sound and progressive government. Matters of municipal interest awaken his attention and he gives his support to all those things which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.
ALEXANDER M. PECK.
Alexander M. Peck, who is known in Germantown and vicinity as a farmer and the sales agent for farm implements, was born in German township, Mont- gomery county, on the 14th of September, 1848, a son of James and Phebe (Sneathen) Peck. The former came to Ohio from North Carolina, where he had learned and followed the distilling business, and for a considerable period after coming here operated a still.
Alexander M. Peck grew to manhood at home and early became identified with the work of a farm, choosing it when choice was necessary as his vocation in life For his education and preparation in life he was dependent upon the schools of the locality and the guidance which his parents could give as the result of their love and experience. It was but two days after he had attained his majority, on the 16th of September, 1869, that Mr. Peck took to himself the responsibilities of a wife and a home of his own, for on that day he was united in marriage to Sarah Smutz, the daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Smutz. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Peck : Frank, Hattie, Wilber, Alfred, Lonnie, Wesley and George. The family are members of the Reformed church, at the services of which they are regular attendants and with whose work they are closely identified.
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Besides his church interests and the work which consumes the hours of the day, Mr. Peck finds time for the many meetings of the local lodges of the Masons and Odd Fellows. In both of these he is known as a man sincerely concerned for the welfare of his fraternal brothers and ever willing to exert himself in their behalf. Several years ago Mr. Peck saw an opportunity to increase his usefulness and his own means of revenue by becoming a salesman for a farm implement concern. In this phase of business, as in the pursuit of actual agriculture he has been very suc- cessful, for he is a man of principle, one who never shuns hard or difficult labor. He has in consequence the good will and respect of those who are his neighbors and his customers.
GILBERT CONOVER.
Gilbert Conover, who for the past eight years has capably served as trustee of Madison township, is the owner of a valuable farm of forty acres situated on the east side of the old Liberty road, about two miles south of Trotwood. His birth occurred in Madison township, Montgomery county, on the 4th of August, 1860, his parents being William and Susan (Landis) Conover. Gilbert Conover, the paternal grandfather, spent his entire life in Pennsylvania, his wife passing away in that state in early womanhood. William Conover, the father of our subject, was married in Montgomery county, coming here as a young man from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. His family numbered five children, namely : Mary, Lydia, Gilbert, Ella and Abraham.
On the home farm in this county Gilbert Conover spent the days of his boyhood and youth, dividing his time between the acquirement of an education in the schools of Madison township and the labor required of an orphan boy. At different times he has been engaged in carpentering and in the sawmill business, while for seven years he conducted a dairy, finding a ready sale for his products in Dayton. His attention is now given to general farming interests and in all of his undertakings he has met with that measure of prosperity which is ever the reward of earnest, persistent labor when guided by sound judgment and keen discrimination.
On the 6th of November, 1879, Mr. Conover was united in marriage to Miss Ida Bell Stebleton, a daughter of Jesse and Lydia (Rike) Stebleton. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, came here from Berks county, Pennsylvania, while the mother, a daughter of Adam Rike, is a representative of an old and well known family of Montgomery county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Conover have been born seven children, as follows: Bertha, the wife of Henry Urmey, by whom she has two children, Jesse and Perry; Elzina, who is the wife of Daniel Keeney and has two children, John and Clarence; Jesse, who wedded Miss Bertha Mil- ler and has two children, Gilbert and Thelma; John, who is deceased; Norman, who is a graduate of the Trotwood high school and is now preparing to teach ; Abraham, who has also passed away ; and Ida, who is attending school.
In his political views Mr. Conover is a stalwart democrat and on that ticket was elected township trustee, in which position he has now served faithfully and efficiently for eight years. He and his family belong to the conservative branch
MR. AND MRS. GILBERT CONOVER
.
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of the Dunkard church, in the work of which they are actively and helpfully interested. Always a resident of this county, the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time is an indication of an honorable, upright career.
PHILIP E. GILBERT.
Philip E. Gilbert, president of the Miami Building & Loan Association and one whose identification with building interests of the city has been of substantial benefit to Dayton, has given practical demonstration in his life of the power of intelligently directed industry and perseverance. His success has been sought and won along those lines and at the same time he has gained the honor and respect which the world instinctively pays to the man who has acted well his part in every relation of life.
Mr. Gilbert is a native of Butler county, Ohio, born in Miltonville, November 21, 1845. His father was a native of Maryland and the mother of Pennsylvania, and in 1848 a removal was made by the family from Butler county to 'Miamisburg,. Montgomery county, where in the public and select schools Philip Gilbert pursued his education to the age of thirteen years. As he entered upon his teens he simul- taneously entered the field of business activity, serving a five years' apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade in the intervals of vacation while pursuing his studies in the public schools. At the conclusion of his apprenticeship, in 1864, he responded to the country's call for aid and although but eighteen years of age joined Com- pany D, One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio National Guard, serving under the command of Colonel John G. Lowe until mustered out at the expiration of his term of enlistment.
Mr. Gilbert became a resident of West Sonora, Preble county, Ohio, in 1865, and there engaged in carpentry and in the operation of a sawmill for several years. He met with considerable success there, but in the spring of 1868 he de- termined to seek a broader field of labor and removed to Dayton. He had been here for but a brief period when he formed the acquaintance of William P. Huffman, who proved to him a most sincere friend. It was through the assistance of Mr. Huffman that Mr. Gilbert was enabled to engage in contracting and building, in which line he continued for many years, although he extended the scope of his ac- tivities in the meantime to include the manufacture of builders' supplies. Gradually he worked his way upward and something of the success which he enjoyed is in- dicated in the fact that he began the season of 1878 with one hundred and twenty- five contracts to build houses and at the close of the season had erected one hun- dred and sixty-five. Many large and substantial structures of Dayton stand as monuments to his ability and business enterprise. He was the builder of the ninth district school house, the Sacred Heart church, the Central Baptist church, the Fourth National Bank, the Olmer Canby block, the Barney block on Third and Wayne streets, the Barney blocks on Fifth street, many fine residences and many of the largest manufacturing plants in the city, including those of the Davis Sew- ing Machine Company, the Zwick & Greenwald Wheel Company, the Dayton
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Manufacturing Company, the Woodhull Carriage Company, the Dayton Last Company, the Crume & Sefton building and the Dayton Spice Mills. His iden- tification with business operations led logically to his connection with building and loan interests and for eleven years he was the vice president of the Miami Building & Loan Association, of which he was one of the organizers in 1886. At the end of that time he was chosen to the presidency and so continues to this time-in the fall of 1909.
While residing in West Sonora, Ohio, Mr. Gilbert was married on the 14th of June, 1886, to Miss Mary Ann Scharf, of Franklin, Warren county. They have become the parents of ten children, of whom the following survive: Er- minie P., now the wife of Ira Crawford ; Florence E., the wife of J. Frank Kie- faver ; William P .; Edwin D .; and Helen E. Another daughter, Hattie B., was married in Dayton to Edwin D. Kirby and died six months later in the 27th year of her age.
Mr. Gilbert is well known in fraternal circles. He is one of the oldest Knights of Pythias in Dayton, belonging to the Iola Lodge. He is also a York and Scot- tish Rite Mason and belongs likewise to Old Guard Post, G. A. R. His member- ship relations also extend to the Dayton Club and the Garfield Club, of which he is a charter member, and he is a devoted member of the Linden Avenue Baptist church, in the work of which he is very interested, serving as superintendent of the Sunday school for eleven years and taking an active part in other lines of its activities. He served two terms on the board of education and in 1892 was appointed by the tax commission a member of the board of public affairs for a term of four years, in which position he served so acceptably that he was reap- pointed by Mayor C. G. McMillen for another term of four years. In all of his life he has had no untried standards but has sought his advancement in paths of industry and honor, with the result that while he attained success he has also made for himself an untarnished record.
WEBB T. EBY.
The spirit of modern progress is exemplified in the life and business career of Webb T. Eby, a jeweler of Dayton, who was born in this city, December 27, 1872. Under the parental roof he was reared and in the public schools he acquired his education, there pursuing his studies to the age of eighteen. He entered business life as a clerk in a grocery store and was employed in that capacity for two years. In 1893 he went upon the road for the National Cash Register as a salesman in the Carolinas and was so employed for a year, after which he became connected with the staff of the Farmers Home, a weekly paper.
Another year was passed in that manner, at the end of which time he entered the jewelry store of Aman & Company to learn the business. He continued there for twelve years and though he started out at the meager salary of four dollars per week the ability which he displayed in mastering the business and in handling the interests entrusted to his care won him promotion from time to time until he eventually became manager. In 1907 he started in the jewelry business for him-
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self and has continued therein to the present. He has a very attractive store, carrying a fine line of artistic goods, and he also makes a specialty of diamonds and watches. He has personally made a careful and scientific study of these prec- ious stones in the country's largest diamond cutting institutions so that he brings expert knowledge to bear upon all purchases which he makes. He has a manufac- turing plant in connection with his business, for handling special order work and repairing of all kinds.
On the 26th of January, 1898, Mr. Eby was married in Dayton to Miss Maude E. McQuality, a daughter of John W. McQuality, of Edgemont. They attend and hold membership in the United Brethren church and both are well known so- cially, having many friends in the city, where Mr. Eby has also won for himself an enviable and gratifying position in commercial circles, and among the manufac- turing jewelers of the east. In 1908 the Dayton Jewelers' Association was formed, Mr. Eby being elected vice president.
CHARLES C. STEBBINS.
Charles C. Stebbins, successfully engaged in farming in Montgomery county, is one of Ohio's native sons, his birth having occurred August 26, 1868, in Jef- ferson township, this county. He is a son of John H. and Sarah (Keen) Stebbins, and is a grandson of Levi and Susannah (Hire) Stebbins. His grandfather came to Ohio from New Jersey and his father was born in Jefferson township, Mont- gomery county, October 4, 1835. His mother was born in the same township, on the 21st of December, 1837. In their family were the following children: Katy M., Susan Alice, George K., Charles C., Howard, Edward H. and Jacob.
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