USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 79
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William P. Huffman received a fair English education and devoted some time to the study of law solely as a factor in a more thorough business equipment but with no intention of following the profession as a life work. Early in 1837 he took up the occupation of farming, to which he devoted ten years, and again became a factor in the life of Dayton on his return to the city in 1848. His time there- after was devoted to real estate, to building operations, to banking and to the pro- motion of such enterprises as the Third Street Railway, the Dayton & Springfield pike, the Cooper Hydraulic Company, the Second National Bank and the Third National Bank. All of these felt the stimulus and impetus of his wise judgment and his indefatigable energy. He was one of the organizers of the Second National Bank and was its president for many years. He was also president of the Third National Bank from its organization up to 1887. His plans were always care- fully formulated and executed with a precision and dispatch that insured their success.
On the 18th of October, 1837, Mr. Huffman was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Tate, a daughter of Samuel Tate, and they became the parents of the following named : William, deceased ; Martha Bell, the deceased wife of E. J. Bar- ney, of Dayton ; Lydia H., the deceased wife of James R. Hedges, of Dayton ; Charles T., deceased ; Lizzie H., widow of Charles E. Drury, of Dayton ; Samuel, who died in childhood; Torrence, of Dayton ; Frank T., also of this city ; George P., deceased .; and Anna M.
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Mr. Huffman served as a trustee of Denison University at Granville, Ohio, for fifteen years and was ever a stalwart champion and supporter of the cause of edu- cation. He held membership in the Linden Avenue Baptist church and his in- fluence and labors constituted salient factors in the molding of Christian senti- ment in the community. A man of clear, sound, practical judgment and exceed- ingly conservative and reliable in all transactions, his name stood as a synonym for wisdom and safety in the business circles of Dayton. While he promoted and managed important enterprises, he regarded business, however, as but one phase of life, never allowing it to exclude his active participation in and support of other vital interests which go to make up human existence.
WILLIAM H. VAN RIPER.
William H. Van Riper, well known in Montgomery county by reason of his activity in political lines and his capable service in public office, has made his home in Dayton from early manhood. As the years have gone by he has put forth persistent effort in business affairs and at no time has he been neglectful of his duties to the public welfare, meeting every duty that has devolved upon him in a private or in an official capacity with a sense of conscientious obligation.
The life history of William H. Van Riper began March 20, 1851, the place of his nativity being Seneca county, New York. His grandparents, Garret and Ann Van Riper, were natives of New Jersey and on leaving that state became residents of New York, where they spent their remaining days. Among their chil- dren were triplets, one of whom was Henry Van Riper, the father of our subject. The three boys, upon arriving at mature years, were each of remarkable stature and weight, and their resemblance was so close as to make it difficult to dis- tinguish them. The three were named Henry, Richard and Peter, but the last two are not living. Henry Van Riper wedded Sarah Ann Gunn, a native of Ireland, who was nineteen years of age when she came with her parents to America. Her death occurred in January, 1875, when she was seventy-four years of age. She had for twelve years survived her husband, who was born in r824 and died January 3, 1863.
William H. Van Riper was reared in the town of Waterloo, Seneca county, New York, where he attended a common school and at the age of fourteen he made his initial step in the business world as an apprentice to the tinner's trade, serving under I. N. Thorn in Waterloo. He not only completed his three years' term of indenture but also was an employe of Mr. Thorn in Waterloo for five years and afterward came with him to Dayton and continued with him for fifteen years in this city. No higher testimonial of his industry, faithfulness and reli- ability can be given than the fact that he remained in the service of one man for twenty years. In 1885 he embarked in business on his own account, opening a grocery store on the west side of Dayton in partnership with his father-in-law, Christian Becker. Two years later, however, he purchased a tin and jobbing shop on West Third street and in 1890 began business at No. 127, 110W 405 South Williams street, where he conducts a general tin, jobbing and contract business.
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He has been very successful in industrial lines and is well known as a progressive, reliable representative of business interests in this city.
Not alone in this line, however, has Mr. Van Riper enjoyed the confidence and good will of the general public. He is perhaps even better known by reason of his activity in political circles, having always been a stanch advocate of re- publican principles. In the spring of 1875 he became a candidate for director of the city infirmary and was chosen to the office by eight hundred and ten votes above those given his opponent, this being the largest majority received by any candidate on the city ticket. On the 10th of April, 1895, he assumed the duties of the office and during the first six months of his connection with the board the running "expenses of the infirmary were reduced about forty per cent. He con- tinued in the office for three years and later was elected county infirmary director, in which position he served for five years. While curtailing the comfort of the inmates and the influence of the institution in no measure, he stood for retrench- ment in expenses through economical management and accomplished a large sav- ing for the county in that direction. In 1905 he was appointed county commis- sioner to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator Kemp, and in 1906 he was elected county commissioner and served three years, making in all four years and three months in office. His course in this position is equally commend- able for his official service is always characterized by creditable reform.
Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Van Riper was married December 21, 1882, to Miss Isora Becker, a daughter of Christian Becker of Dayton. Her birth occurred in Montgomery county, March 16, 1861, and her father, a native of the same county, was born in 1838. In 1880 he took up his abode in Dayton, where for some years he engaged in the grocery business but is now living re- tired. Mr. and Mrs. Van Riper have become parents of two sons and a daughter, Clayton, born February 24, 1884; Carrie, born on the 18th of March, 1886; and Christian, born December 20, 1896.
Mr. Van Riper holds membership in Hope Lodge, No. 227, Knights of Pythias, and both he and his wife are members of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church. A resident of Dayton from early manhood, he is known as one of its worthy business men and particularly as a loyal and valuable public official who is opposed to anything like misrule in public affairs and in all of his public service seeks the welfare and advancement of the entire community.
JOHN PHILIP MUMMA.
John Philip Mumma was numbered among the pioneer residents of Dayton, coming to this city in 1827 when but four years of age. Dayton had at that time taken on little of the evidences of modern metropolitan civilization and de- velopment which it now bears. It had few industrial or commercial enterprises but within it were possibilities for development which were recognized by those early settlers. In pioneer times down to the date of his death, covering a period of about seventy years, Mr. Mumma was deeply interested in the growth and
JOHN P. MUMMA
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progress of Dayton and at all times cooperated in any movement which he deemed essential to its welfare and upbuilding.
He was born on a plantation in Frederick county, Maryland, August 20, 182? and in 1827 came with his parents to Dayton, Ohio. He was a son of Jacob H. W. Mumma, who was born in Maryland in the eighteenth century and was married in Frederick county, that state, to Miss Mary M. Blessing. They re- moved to Dayton in 1827 and in Montgomery county the father, who was a weaver by trade, purchased a tract of land, which he cultivated in connection with weaving until the '40s when he abandoned the latter pursuit. He then con- tinued to engage in farming until his death and became recognized as one of the representative agriculturists of the community. Unto him and his wife were born nine children, of whom one died in early manhood, while eight reached years of maturity.
John Philip Mumma was only four years of age when in 1827 he came with his parents to Dayton. Here he was reared and acquired his education in the common schools. He continued his studies until about fifteen years of age and through the periods of vacation worked on his father's farm which lay not far distant from the corporation limits of Dayton. He afterward gave his en- tire attention to general agricultural pursuits until about 1867, when he bought a livery stable in Dayton and conducted it with growing success until his death, which occurred February 23, 1904. In addition to his livery business he also dealt extensively in real estate, watching for favorable opportunity for invest- ment. As the years passed by he prospered, owing to the capable management of his interests and to the rise in realty values.
At his death Mr. Mumma left the following children: Cornelius Blessing, Frances S., Samuel M., Raymond A., John Franklin and Mary M.
The mother still survives and yet makes her home in Dayton. Mr. Mumma belongs to no secret societies but was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church. In all of his business relations he commanded the confidence and good will of those who knew him and those whom he met socially enjoyed his friendship and enter- tained for him warm regard.
JOHN JACOB SWARTSEL.
John Jacob Swartsel, a well known and prosperous agriculturist residing on section 28, Jackson township, is numbered among the worthy native sons of Mont- gomery county. His birth occurred in Jackson township on the 21st of Sep- tember, 1843, his parents being Joshua and Catherine (Miller) Swartsel, who were residents of that township. Our subject has been connected with farming pursuits throughout his entire business career and has met with a creditable and gratifying measure of success in his undertakings by reason of his well directed industry and capable management. He is a most public-spirited citizen whose aid and influence can ever be counted upon to further any movement instituted to promote the general welfare and was instrumental in the organization of the telephone company, the creamery and farmers' institutes, as well as various other
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interests which have contributed to the material advancement and upbuilding of his native county.
On the 3d of November, 1863, Mr. Swartsel was united in marriage to Miss Missouri Miller, by whom he has three children: Etha, who married Frank Stump and lives in Farmersville; Maud, who married Elijah Miller and resides in Dayton ; and Germanus, deceased. Mr. Swartsel is widely and favorably known throughout the county in which his entire life has been passed and in his home community is recognized as a man of excellent executive ability and keen discrimination, whose opinions are regarded as authority upon many matters of public concern.
EDGAR GARBER DENLINGER.
Edgar Garber Denlinger is filling the office of assistant prosecuting attorney of Montgomery county and his ability in the law well qualifies him for the onerous duties which thus devolve upon him and which he discharges in a thoroughly fair and impartial manner. He is one of the native sons of the county, his birth having occurred on a farm in Madison township, August 1, 1869. Tradition states that four brothers of the name came together to this country in colonial days and located in different parts of Pennsylvania. It is definitely known that his great-grandfather, Abraham Denlinger, was born in Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, and became one of the substantial and representative farmers of that locality, where he died when forty-two years of age. His children were Elizabeth, Henry, Christian, Abraham, John, Martin, Hettie, Nancy, Christina, Susan, and Barbara, all of whom lived to marry and have families of their own.
The fourth of this family was Abraham Denlinger, grandfather of our sub- ject, whose birth occurred in Lancaster county on the 5th of August, 1806. He was reared to farm life and in early manhood became a resident of Montgomery county, Ohio, arriving about 1831. Soon afterward he wedded Miss Margaret Miller, whose birth occurred on Wolf Creek, Harrison township, this county, February 27, 1806, her parents being Daniel and Susan (Bowman) Miller. Her father was one of the first settlers of the county, arriving in 1804 from Hunting- don, Pennsylvania. He cut the first road up Wolf Creek through the forest west of Dayton, which city at that time was a tiny hamlet containing three families. He entered land from the government and also purchased a large tract, until his holdings comprised two thousand acres. With characteristic energy he began clearing and developing the land and in addition to agricultural pursuits he operated a saw and grist mill and a distillery, shipping his products down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans. In all of his business affairs he met with substantial success and contributed as well to the improvement and upbuild- ing of the county. His children were Benjamin, John, Daniel, Joseph, Mary, Elizabeth, Esther, Susan, Margaret, Catherine and Sarah. Mr. Miller died at the age of eighty-four years, in the faith of the German Baptist church, of which he had long been a devoted member.
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Abraham Denlinger, grandfather of Edgar G. Denlinger, began his domestic life on an unimproved farm of one hundred and forty acres in Madison township but with characteristic energy he began to clear and develop the fields and, as his financial resources permitted, added to his property until he had four hundred acres. His death occurred when he was eighty-seven years of age. He held to the faith of the Society of Friends or Quakers, while his wife was a member of the German Baptist church. Their children were John, Daniel, Abraham A., David, Israel, Mary and Joseph.
Of this family Abraham A. Denlinger is the father of our subject. Born on the home farm in Madison township, February 25, 1836, he attended the com- mon schools and by wide reading and study became one of the best informed men of his day. His youth was largely devoted to the arduous work of the home farm. On attaining his majority he was married March 26, 1857, to Sarah Gar- ber, who was born March 10, 1839, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Wampler) Garber. The former in his youthful days was brought to this county by his father, Joseph Garber, from Rockingham county, Virginia. Here he was reared and in time owned and operated one hundred and six acres of productive land, which his father had cleared from the forest. He lived to be more than eighty years of age and in religious faith was a German Baptist. His children were Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary A., William, Joseph, Anna, Philip, Lucinda and Jesse.
Mr. and Mrs. Abraham A. Denlinger began their domestic life on her father's farm, of which he purchased one hundred acres, converting it into a valuable property through his careful cultivation and modern methods of farming. Unto him and his first wife were born eight children: Lavina G., Clara A., Ira G., Annie G., Lizzie G., Laura G., Edgar G. and Elmer O. The mother, who was a devoted member of the German Baptist church, died March 1, 1872, and on the 6th of June, 1875, Mr. Denlinger wedded Annie Bowman, who was born in Randolph township, August 22, 1852, a daughter of Benjamin and Belinda (Hyre) Bowman. The children of the second marriage were Austin H., Sibyl E., Stella, Carl H. and Ralph R. In his political views Abraham A. Denlinger is a stalwart democrat and for many years capably filled the position of township trustee. He is a valued member of Randolph Lodge, No. 98, I. O. O. F., and of the Encampment and in the lodge has held all of the offices. He has long been accounted one of the representative agriculturists of his community, honored and respected by all who know him by reason of an upright life.
Edgar Garber Denlinger was reared to farm life, remaining on the old home- stead to the age of twenty-five years, during which time he mastered the studies taught in the district schools and then entered Otterbein University at Westerville, Ohio, where he pursued his studies for two years. Subsequently he engaged in teaching in Montgomery and Clark counties for two years and during the latter year took up the study of law. In the spring of 1897 he became a student in the law office of Hon. U. S. Martin and in March, 1899, was admitted to the bar, after which he practiced in connection with Judge Martin, who is his brother-in-law, up to the time Mr. Martin was elected prosecuting attorney of Montgomery county. Mr. Denlinger was then alone in practice until May, 1904, when he was appointed assistant prosecuting attorney by Judge Martin, under whom he served until the Ist of January, 1906. He was then re-appointed to the same office by Mr. Mar-
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tin's successor and has filled the position from the Ist of January, 1907, to the present time. He is a strong and able lawyer who prepares his cases with dili- gence and care and with almost intuitive perception sees the relation between cause and effect.
On the 8th of August, 1894, Mr. Denlinger was married at Medway, Ohio, to Miss Mollie Kline and they have one son, Harold Adelbert. Mr. Denlinger is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Methodist Episcopal church-associations which indicate much of the character of his interests and of the rules which govern his life. He takes an active part in politics as an advo- cate of the republican party and is interested in all matters of progressive citizen- ship, giving loyal support to every movement which he believes will prove of public benefit.
WILLIAM HERBERT VANDERVERE.
The progress of the world toward a higher civilization, toward a clearer per- ception of the value and purposes of life, is indicated in no greater degree than in the almost world-wide attention which is today given to the development and education of the child. It is to this work of educating the young and promot- ing the efficiency of the school system that William Herbert Vandervere is de- voting his time, energies and thought. He is preeminently a self-made man, starting out in life as a poor boy and acquiring all of his education through his own efforts. One of Ohio's native sons, he was born in German township, about three miles southwest of Farmersville, on the 26th of July, 1874, and is a son of Charles and Mary Elizabeth ( Boomershine) Vandervere.
William Herbert Vandervere was reared at home and acquired his prelimi- nary education in the common schools of the neighborhood. He early recognized the value of thorough training and, being without the means to enable him to pursue such a course of study as he desired, he set about earning money with which to accomplish this end. Entirely through his own efforts he accumu- lated sufficient capital to pay for a course of study at the college in Lima and also Dayton, while he subsequently became a student at Miami University at Oxford. Thus well equipped he began teaching in 1893 and has steadily risen in his profession since that time until today he is superintendent of the schools at Farmersville and also those of Jackson township. He is constantly exerting his energies toward the betterment of the public-school system and his efforts have been most potent factors in advancing educational interests throughout this county.
Mr. Vandervere chose as a companion for life's journey Miss Agnes Stocks- lager, a daughter of Philip and Alice (Ely) Stockslager. The wedding was celebrated May 4, 1902, and as the years have come and gone three children came to bless this union : Ruth, Lucile and Cora. Since age conferred upon Mr. Van- dervere the right of franchise he has given loyal support to the democratic party, but he has never sought nor desired public office as a reward for party fealty. A man of broad general information, he has never ceased to be a student but is con-
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stantly extending his knowledge by wide reading and research. The dominant elements in his nature have been his indefatigable energy and perseverance- qualities that have already brought him into important relations and which are sure to lead him to still greater success and prominence in his chosen profession.
MRS. ISAAC MACY.
Mrs. Isaac Macy, residing in Butler township, is the owner of a well improved and productive farm of one hundred and fifty acres. She was born in Mont- gomery county, Ohio, on the 14th of April, 1857, a daughter of Amos and Mary (Stevenson) Ardinger. Her father, whose birth occurred in Williamsport, Mary- land, on the 4th of March, 1828, came to this county when a young man of nine- teen years, walking most of the way. Throughout his active business career he was engaged in coopering at Tippecanoe City, Miami county, but is now living re- tired at that place, enjoying in well earned ease the fruits of his former toil. His wife was born near Little York, Montgomery county, Ohio, on the 22d of October, 1838, and passed away April 21, 1909, her remains being interred in the Maple Hill cemetery at Tippecanoe City. She was a faithful and devoted mem- ber of the Methodist church, to which Mr. Ardinger also belongs.
Unto this worthy couple were born ten children. Alice B., the eldest, is the subject of this review. Adelaide A., born in August, 1859, resides in Tippecanoe City and is the wife of J. H. Fanner, by whom she has two children, Nettie and Frank. The latter is a minister of the gospel. Sarah G., whose natal day was April 22, 1860, is the wife of W. H. Springstein and makes her home in Day- ton. Jacob E., whose birth occurred in October, 1864, married Miss May Bailey, now deceased, by whom he had a son, Jacob, Jr. Emma, who was born in De- cember, 1865, died at the age of twenty-three years and was buried at the Maple Hill cemetery. She gave her hand in marriage to W. C. Ginn and they had one child, John F., now living with Mrs. Macy, who reared him from the time he was a babe of thirteen months. Loretta, born in 1873, passed away in June, 1875, and lies buried in the Maple Hill cemetery. Blanche, who first opened her eyes to the light of day on the 27th of July, 1877, resides in Dayton and is the wife of Charles H. Johnson. Harry, born in November, 1880, makes his home in Tippecanoe City. He wedded Miss Okla Dodson and they now have one child, Gladys. John, born April 4, 1882, who likewise resides in Tippecanoe City, married Miss Fay Davenport. They had one child, now deceased. Clyde, whose birth occurred in October, 1889, died at the age of sixteen years and was buried in the Maple Hill cemetery.
Early in life Miss Alice B. Ardinger was brought to Johnston Station, Mont- gomery county, by her parents and later removed to Tippecanoe City, Miami county. She acquired her education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until the time of her marriage. It was on the 21st of June, 1881, that she was joined in wedlock to Willard J. Hall, of Dayton, Ohio, whose birth occurred in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, in the year 1853. He had one brother, Charles P. Hall. He made the journey to Dayton, this county, in company with
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his mother, who passed away October 4, 1889, and lies buried at Wilmington, Delaware. Willard J. Hall was a machinist by trade and was highly esteemed for his many excellent traits of character. He died October 4, 1885, in the faith of the Methodist church, of which he had long been a valued and exemplary mem- ber. His remains were interred in the Maple Hill cemetery. Unto Willard J. and Alice B. (Ardinger) Hall were born two children. Mary A., the eldest, born June 21, 1882, has been twice married and had two children by her first husband, Mildred D. and Isaac, now ten and seven years of age respectively. Her second union was with Charles Booher and they make their home in Clark county, Ohio. Edith, the other child of Mrs. Macy's first marriage, was born October 31, 1884, and lived for but two weeks, being buried in the Maple Hill cemetery.
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