USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 81
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David Shaw, their youngest son, was born in Plumstead, Bucks county, Penn- sylvania, February 26, 1796, and died at Madison, Indiana, December 24, 1860. About 1818 he removed west with his mother, two brothers and a half sister, Elizabeth Watson. He was married July 29, 1819, to Nancy Speer Andrews and
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they resided for a time near Dayton, Ohio. Later they removed to Rising Sun, Indiana, and about 1836 David Shaw went with his family to Madison, Indiana, where he purchased the dry goods store of John Lodge, continuing in business there until his retirement a few years prior to his death. Unto him and his wife were born ten children.
That number included George Wilson Shaw, who in his youthful days accom- panied his parents to Madison, Indiana, where he was reared and acquired his pri- mary education. Later he was afforded the advantage of instruction in Oxford college, from which he was graduated at the head of his class when only eighteen years of age, being its youngest member. He was universally loved at college, not only by his classmates but by professors as well. After his graduation he re- turned to Madison, Indiana, where he engaged in practice for a few years, and then came to Dayton but never followed his profession in this city on account of ill health, as he could not stand the confinement it necessitated. He then embarked in the wholesale dry goods business as a member of the firm of Perrine, Lytle & Shaw, which continued in business successfully for a number of years. Later Mr. Shaw turned his attention to the manufacture of threshing machines and that un- dertaking claimed his time and energies for five years, on the expiration of which period he retired from business to enjoy his remaining days in well earned rest. In all of his business connections he was energetic and resolute, overcoming the difficulties and obstacles in his path by persistent and honorable effort. He learned the lesson of each experience and adapted it to his own use. Not only did he figure in commercial and industrial lines but also became a factor in finan- cial circles as one of the directors of the Third National Bank. He was like- wise the vice president of the Reynolds & Reynolds Company and the vice presi- dent of the Dayton Paper Novelty Company.
In business matters his judgment was keen and his sagacity enabled him to successfully solve many problems which to another of less foresight would have proven unsurmountable. He led a most busy and useful life, the only interrup- tion to his business career coming at the time of the Civil war, when he enlisted in response to the country's call for men to serve for one hundred days. He was a wonderfully well read man, being posted on almost any subject, and possessed a, remarkable intellect which made him a very entertaining and clever conversation- alist. He was honored and respected wherever known and was held in the highest regard by business associates and his many friends and acquaintances throughout the city.
On November 24, 1852, Mr. Shaw was united in marriage to Miss Mary Per- rine and unto them were born five children, of whom three are living: Nancy A., the widow of John B. Greene; Julia S., the widow of Frank J. Patterson; and George G., now president of the Dayton Paper Novelty Company. The death of Mr. Shaw occurred December 29, 1907, and Dayton mourned the loss of a citizen whom she had come to respect and honor by reason of his well directed activity and his allegiance to all that is commendable in citizenship as well as in private life. He was faithful in his friendships, fixed in an honest hatred of all shams and pre- tenses and exhibited in every judgment of his mind a strong common sense that il- lumined every dark corner into which he looked. He was a man of high moral character and of the best social position. He succeeded because he desired to suc-
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ceed and he was in his community a leader because nature had endowed him bountifully and he had studiously and carefully and conscientiously increased the talents that had been given him.
MRS. N. J. SLOAN.
Mrs. N. J. Sloan is the owner of one hundred and six acres of land, situated in Wayne township, where she has made her home for many years. She is a native of Greene county, Ohio, born near Fairfield, June 1, 1851. Her parents were Alexander and Elizabeth (Lowrey) Dille, the former born near Dayton, December 17, 1816, and the latter also a native of Montgomery county, born September 20, 1818. Following their marriage they located in Clark county, Ohio, where Mr. Dille became a very successful farmer, having accumulated at the time of his death a considerable fortune. Their family numbered nine chil- dren but only three are now living. They were consistent and faithful members of the Presbyterian church at New Carlisle, and both lived to an advanced age, the mother passing away December 15, 1885, at the age of sixty-seven, while the father, surviving for several years, passed away September 8, 1892, at the age of seventy-six.
The daughter was a little maiden of only four years when she was taken by her parents from Montgomery to Clark county, Ohio, and there she was reared and educated. She remained on the home farm, early being trained by her mother in the duties and cares of the household, so that at the time of her marriage she was well qualified to take charge of her own household. She was married in Clark county to H. C. Sloan, after which they located on a farm in Wayne town- ship, the place comprising one hundred and six acres of valuable and well im- proved land and this has continued to be the home of Mrs. Sloan to the present time. Mr. Sloan here followed farming throughout his active business career and became very successful in his undertakings. He was particularly active in the moral development of the community as a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he was a ruling elder, being ordained to that office by Rev. J. R. Hughes, of Dayton. He likewise served as superintendent of the Sunday school and as a member of the church choir and his influence was ever found on the side of any movement that tended to uplift humanity and work for the betterment of various classes.
Active in the organization of the Harvest Home Annual Association, Mr. Sloan served as its president until his demise. He was an ardent supporter of the temperance movement and at one time was a candidate of Montgomery county for representative on the prohibition ticket. While he took a very active part in many public movements, he was not unmindful of his family and thus as the years passed he accumulated a good property which was left to his heirs. He was a man who stood high in the community. He made and re- tained warm friends, was devoted to the welfare and happiness of his wife and children, and thus his death, which occurred June 6, 1908, was a sad hlow to the
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community, who can well sympathize with the household from which such a light has gone out forever.
By her marriage Mrs. Sloan has become the mother of one son and two daugh- ters. Blanche, who was born August 29, 1873, is the wife of Harry Kline, of Greene county, this state, where he is a very influential citizen, farmer and stock- man, dealing in high grades of stock. They have two daughters and a son: Alma, who was born October 8, 1894, and is now a high-school student at Osborn ; Marven, who was born January 3, 1896, and is a public-school student at Bath; and Leanna Blanche, who was born June 17, 1901, and is also in school at Bath. Herbert Sloan, the second member of the family, was born August 22, 1876, and on the IIth of February, 1897, wedded Miss Emma Kline, of Clark county, this state. They have two little daughters : Sarah Leota, who was born November 27, 1901 ; and Dorothy May, born February 13, 1904. The elder daughter is now in school at Osborn. Mabel E., the youngest member of the Sloan family, was born April 10, 1881. She was married on the 2d of November, 1899, to Earl W. Burrowes, of Greene county, and by her marriage she has become the mother of a daughter and son: Thelma, who was born November 27, 1900, and is in school at Osborn; and William Chalmer, who was born May 27, 1909.
Mrs. Sloan still resides on the home farm and in its management displays excellent business ability. She possesses many traits of heart and mind which have endeared her to a host of warm friends, her standing in the social circles of the community being an enviable one.
WILLIAM H. AHLERS.
Well known among the progressive and prosperous business men of Dayton is William H. Ahlers, a furrier whose establishment is in all ways attractive to the purchasing public. Born in this city on the 9th of July, 1876, he here spent his youthful days, attended the public schools and also pursued a course at the Young Men's Christian Association. At the age of sixteen, however, he put aside his text- books and entering business life began learning the more difficult lessons in the school of experience. After being employed at various places, during which time his ambition and his energy were carrying him steadily forward into the business world, he entered the fur and hat store of Brown & Williams in 1890 and con- tinued in that house until the firm sold out to S. B. Williams, his connection with the business covering the years to 1903. This brought him broad and practical ex- perience and, desirous of engaging in business on his own account, he began the manufacture of fur garments, being the pioneer in that industry in Dayton. Un- tiring in his efforts to build up a paying business he personally solicited patronage but when once he secured a patron was sure of his continued support because of the excellent manner in which all of the work of his factory was done and the thorough reliability of all of his business transactions. From a small beginning he has developed an enterprise of large and profitable proportions and moreover has earned the respect and esteem of all who know him.
WILLIAM H. AHLERS
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In 1899 Mr. Ahlers was married in Dayton to Miss Harriet A. Soller and they have two children, Ila Esther and William Robert. Mr. Ahlers is a Scottish Rite Mason and has also taken the degrees of the Commandery and of the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum and the Fraternal Order of Eagles and is interested in the moral development of the city as manifest in his membership in and support of the First English Lutheran church. He is extremely thorough and practical in all that he does and the public knows him as a most reliable, industrious and energetic young business man, who well merits the regard which is so freely tendered him by his host of friends.
FRANKLIN P. GRIMES.
Nature seems to have intended that man should enjoy a period of rest in the evening of life. In youth one is filled with hope and enthusiasm, in mature years' his energy and determination are tempered by sound judgment and experience and therefore, if he is persistent in his labors, success will attend him and then when the evening shadows fall he will find it possible to enjoy a period of rest from labor. Such has been the history of Franklin P. Grimes who, having already passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, has spent nearly his entire life in the county of his nativity. Moreover he is en- titled to special mention in this volume from the fact that, during his lifetime, he has watched the growth of Montgomery county from a wild and unimproved district to richly cultivated fields, and has ever borne his full share in the work of public progress and development.
Mr. Grimes was born December 19, 1832, in Mad River township, Mont- gomery county, Ohio, and is a son of James and Edith (Williamson) Grimes. The father, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1785, removed to Virginia at the age of five years. There he was reared and became the owner of a fine farm of four hundred acres, while he became noted as a dealer in sheep and also made a specialty of raising fine blooded and fast horses. He came to Ohio in 1805, locating in Montgomery county, and was one of the early pioneer set- tlers of that district. After his arrival in Ohio he continued to raise fine stock and also engaged in building boats, which he operated between Dayton and Cincinnati. His death occurred in 1853, his remains being interred at Wood- land cemetery, Dayton. In 1811 he had married Edith Williamson, a native of New York, who was born in 1794 and later came to Montgomery county, Ohio. They became the parents of eight children, namely: John, William, James, Asa, Henry, Franklin, Martha and Mary Bellc.
After attaining his education in the common schools of his native county, Mr. Grimes took up the occupation of farming and stock-raising, removing to Edgar county, Illinois, where he was thus engaged. He remained at that place two years and then returned to Montgomery county, taking up his abode in Wayne township. He purchased land there and engaged in general agricultural pursuits and in buying and selling stock. He possesses good business ability. keen discernment and capable management, and during his active connection
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with farming interests these elements proved the salient characteristics in the gratifying degree of prosperity which he attained. Throughout his business career he was prompted by the laudable ambition to win success, and that this ambition was fulfilled is indicated in the fact that about ten years ago he was able to lay aside the active duties of business and enjoy in well earned rest the fruits of his many years of earnest toil.
In 1857 Mr. Grimes was united in marriage to Marie Rohrer, a daughter of Martin and Elizabeth (Creider) Rohrer. The father, who was born in Penn- sylvania, came to Ohio in 1836 and engaged in the distillery business, becoming one of the successful and wealthy business men of his community. He was thus actively engaged until his demise, which occurred in 1843, his remains be- ing interred in Woodland cemetery. His wife, who was born, reared and mar- ried in Pennsylvania, passed away in 1896 and was laid to rest by the side of her husband in Woodland cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Grimes became the parents of two children, namely : Floyd, born January 29, 1859; and Shelby, born Jan- uary 29, 1862. Floyd, the eldest son, is now married and lives upon the old home place. Formerly he was a resident of Spokane, Washington, for twelve years, being connected with an electrical company as manager. He has been a member of the township school board and is also a member of the agricultural board. Shelby married Molly Beyl, the daughter of Solomon Beyl, by whom he had three children, Carrie, Frank and Warren. He was a prosperous farmer who was accidentally drowned in the Miami river at Osborn, Ohio, in May, 1907. Well known throughout the district, he had a large number of warm friends who mourned his death, while his loss was felt throughout the entire county.
Mr. Grimes holds membership relations with the United Brethren church at Sulphur Grove, Ohio, and has held several offices therein, being deeply in- terested in the work of the church in the community. Not only by reason of the success which he attained in his business interests has Mr. Grimes become well known throughout Wayne township and Montgomery county, but also because of the active and important part he has taken in the affairs of the town- ship and county. He has been a trustee of the township, a member of the agricultural board and was instrumental in developing and making the county fairs a success. He is eminently a public-spirited man, heartily endorsing all measures which are matters of civic virtue and civic pride, and does all in his power to further the general growth and upbuilding of the community. His has been a long, useful life, and he can look back into the past without regret and into the future without fear.
JONATHAN HARSHMAN, SR.
Jonathan Harshman, Sr., pioneer citizen of Montgomery county, Ohio, and founder of the Harshman family, which in direct descent and by intermar- riage is one of the most influential and representative families of the county, was born in Frederick county, Maryland, on the 21st day of December, 1781.
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His ancestral record shows that his grandfather, Andrew Herschman, (as the name was then spelled) was born in Germany, lived there all his life and died at the remarkable age of one hundred and twenty years. The exact place of his birth and residence in Germany we are unable to give. A son Christian, the father of the subject of this sketch, also born in Germany, came to the United States when a lad and settled in Frederick county, Maryland, and in course of time married the daughter of a neighboring farmer, which marriage we are informed was a most happy one. From this marriage nine children were born as follows: John, Anna Maria, Esther, Phillip, Christian, Jonathan, Susanna, Catherine and Christina.
Jonathan Harshman, the sixth child of this marriage, in the year 1805 with some others from the same section of Maryland, emigrated to the state of Kentucky, settling near Lexington, but after remaining there about a year, he again returned to his former home in Maryland, when, after a short residence, he again became possessed of the desire to return to Kentucky, which he did, but not liking the institution of slavery then existing there and seeing no pres- ent hope for its abolishment he then came to Ohio and settled in Mad River township, Montgomery county, on a farm now owned by his grandchildren, George Harshman and Susan Harshman Cammann, and later on purchased the property which became the site of Harshmanville, where he resided until his death, March 31, 1850.
On the 18th day of February, 1808, Mr. Harshman was united in marriage with Susanna Rench, who was born November II, 1786, in Washington county, Maryland, and was a sister of John Rench, also a pioneer settler of this county, who came from Maryland soon after Mr. Harshman did. The first year Mr. Harshman settled on his farm, he built a cabin late in the fall, hanging the door and putting in a one four light window himself. He set to work with a will and soon became actively engaged in farming, milling, merchandising and distilling. Everything he touched seemed to bring him success. In connection with his brother-in-law, John Rench, Mr. Harshman opened a store, corner of Main and Third streets, Dayton, under the firm name of Harshman & Rench, in 1829. They also opened a warehouse at the head of the canal basin and started a number of boats on the canal just opened between Dayton and Cin- cinnati, doing an extensive business in shipping and merchandising, their busi- ness in these lines extending all the way from Dayton to New Orleans. Dur- ing his business career, Mr. Harshman had the entire confidence of the business community and by his industry and judgment accumulated the largest fortune possessed by any citizen of Montgomery county in his day.
In the year 1825, Mr. Harshman was elected on the whig ticket from this county a member of the general assembly of the state of Ohio, serving one term, and on May Ist, 1845, he was elected president of the Dayton Bank, which position he held until his death. When the National road was authorized by congress from Cumberland, Maryland, to St. Louis, Missouri, Mr. Harshman in connection with other influential citizens of Dayton sought to have it laid out through this city, but on objection being urged that it would not be a straight line, by citizens of Springfield, the request of the citizens of Dayton was refused. Thereupon a number of Dayton men, in connection with Mr. Harshi-
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man, organized the Dayton & Springfield Turnpike Company, of which Mr. Harshman was made president, and they built the turnpike from Springfield to Dayton, Ohio.
During the Mexican war, Mr. Harshman acted on a committee to raise means for the support of families of the men who had volunteered in the army and was very active in that regard. In everything tending to the growth of Dayton and of his home county, he also took an active part.
Susanna Harshman, wife of Jonathan Harshman, died December 5, 1839. Their marriage was blessed with a family of eight children: Elizabeth, born November 17, 1808, married Israel Huston, Catherine, born January 4, 1810, married Valentine Winters. Jonathan, born February 15, 1812, died December 25, 1876. He was named after his father and married Abigail Hivling who was born January 27, 1813, and died June 6, 1879. Mary, born January 17, 1816, married George Gorman. John Rench, born November 6, 1818, died August 31, 1819. Joseph, born October 24, 1820, married Caroline Protzman, daughter of Colonel Protzman. George W., born February 22, 1822, married Ann Vir- ginia Rohrer. Susanna, born May 22, 1823, married Daniel Beckel, Reuben D., born January 16, 1827, married Mary Protzman.
VICTOR E. RUMBARGER.
A knowledge of art and science, combined with notable mechanical skill, origi- nality and ingenuity in invention and marked executive ability in handling men and in producing harmonious action in business situations have been the concomitant forces which have won success for Victor E. Rumbarger, now the treasurer and general manager of The R. R. Sign Company, of Dayton. His life began in the little town of Farmersville, Montgomery county, in 1873. The first four years of his life were there passed at the end of which time, in 1877, his parents took up their abode upon a farm in this county. He was there reared to the age of sixteen years, during which time he attended the district schools and also worked in the fields during the periods of vacations. Leaving the farm his parents removed with their family to Dayton so that he had the opportunity of continuing his education in the schools of this city to the age of eighteen.
Through his youth he was interested in mechanical devices, studying out every construction and thinking out methods for every improvement. Entering business life, he took up the work of sign writing, using it as a means of maintenance, while giving his thought and energy to the perfecting of various inventions brought forth by a fertile brain and marked mechanical ingenuity. He produced his first inven- tion when seventeen years of age. For a number of years, like most inventors, he did not receive any credit or remuneration for his work, but he soon learned his lesson, realizing the fact that others were willing and eager to take to themselves the credit and the success which were rightfully his. Added to his ability to pro- duce new and original designs in mechanical lines, he had business and executive ability and calling these into play he has forced the world to recognize and make adequate return to him for his work. He never studied drafting, designing or me-
V. E. RUMBARGER
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chanics in any school but his wide reading and his keen observation, by reason of his remarkable mind, have enabled him to grasp the basic principles of an idea or piece of work and he can tell at a glance if it is practical or not.
Finding in 1903 that his business was increasing and realizing the vast possibili- ties for expansion he took in a partner, and in 1904 to simplify and for better con- trol, they incorporated the business under the name of The R. R. Sign Com- pany. In this association he is giving scope to his inventive genius in designing the electric signs which are now so attractive and so widely used as a means of ad- vertising by thousands of business houses throughout the country. His ideas are original and pleasing and their value is indicated in the increasing patronage which is given to the house. In his position as general manager he looks after the entire plant of the R. R. Sign Company, in which connection are carried on a great number of different trades. No matter whether it is a knowledge of art, me- chanics, structural steel, electricity or executive ability in handling men or coor- dinating business forces, he is ready to meet the demand that is made upon him, understanding, grasping and mastering every situation. His inventions are most numerous and he has handled many patents and appeared frequently in the courts . in contention for his rights so that he is very familiar with patent law. It would be impossible to make detail mention in this connection of all of his inventions, but those which are manifest in the electrical displays of Dayton, Detroit and New York are so wonderful that more than passing notice should be given them. At a casual glance one hardly understands or appreciates the comprehensive know- ledge and the expert skill which have been shown in the productions, but careful thought indicates the artistic values which are manifest in connection with the highest examples of structural iron work and in electrical and mechanical lines as well. His inventive genius is not confined to one line but has been manifest in va- rious fields entirely separate and distinct. He has just received patents on a new airless automobile tire which has been pronounced by experts as an inovation and one that is extremely practical. He has a number of design patents and also a num- ber ot patents on electrical work of varied nature, including electrical talking signs, electrical flashers, electrical moving pictures and many others. He has also produced inventions in connection with railroad car construction and bicycle construction, hose and pipe coupling and tube expanders.
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