USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 91
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SIMON SMITH.
Simon Smith richly deserves the proud American title of a self-made man for, starting out in life for himself at a very early age, he has since worked his way steadily upward until today he ranks among the progressive and influential farmers of Butler township. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Greensburg, West- moreland county, on the 20th of March, 1844, and is a son of Simon and Mary (Roderdaugh) Smith. On account of the early death of his parents he knows but little concerning the family history. The father passed away in Greensburg, where his remains were laid to rest, while the mother's demise occurred in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, in 1850, her remains being interred in a cemetery of that city.
When but a little lad of four or five years Simon Smith accompanied his aunt on her removal to Dayton, Ohio, and in the common schools of that city he ac- quired his education. When little more than a child, he lost both of his parents and he was thus carly thrown upon his own responsibility. After setting aside his text- books he at once took up the occupation of farming and has since been actively engaged in this connection. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty-three acres of fine farm land in Butler township, Montgomery county, to the improve- ment and cultivation of which he is directing his energies. He carly learned that there is no excellence without labor, no royal road to wealth, and he toiled early and late to overcome the obstacles and difficulties that beset his path, ere he attained the gratifying degree of prosperity which he now enjoys. His indefatigable energy,
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his undaunted enterprise and his untiring perseverance have been the salient ele- ments in his present success.
In 1869 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Alice Crosby, a daughter of James and Lydia Ann ( Baner) Crosby, natives of Philadelphia and Cape May, New Jersey, respectively. Her father, who was born in 1812, came to Ohio at the age of eighteen, settling in Warren county, and he was engaged in general farm- ing until his demise, which occurred in September, 1884, in Montgomery county. His wife, whose birth occurred in 1817, passed away in June, 1886, her remains being interred in Greencastle cemetery, where her husband was also buried. She was an orthodox Quaker and an earnest, conscientious Christian woman.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Simon Smith were born ten children, namely : Mattie, born July 2, 1870; Albert, born July 7, 1871 ; Lottie A., born June 13, 1872 ; Etta May, born January 7, 1874 ; Oella, born February 13, 1875 ; Rollo J., born April 3, 1876; Wilmer S., born March 19, 1880; Harry C., born August 17, 1881 ; Walter B., born March 1, 1885; and Warren B., born June 1, 1892. Of this number three have now passed away, namely: Lottie, whose death occurred August 25, 1872; Etta, who died July 12, 1874; and Oella, who passed away on the 12th of July, 1875 here. They are all buried in the cemetery at Greencastle. The eldest daughter Mattie, is now the wife of F. E. Dixon and makes her home in Fort Smith, Arkansas. They have two children, Marguerite and Marie. Albert married Elizabeth Norton and resides in Jackson, Mississippi. They have five children, Chester, Roy, Helen, Alice and Mary. Rollo J. wedded Eva Keeton and with their three children, Bessie, Manis and Wilber, resides at Knobel, Arkansas. Wilmer and Warren are both living at home. Harry, who married Floy Holbert, by whom he has one child, Lester, resides on the home farm, and Walter B., who also lives at home, is a stenographer for the Barney Smith Car Company.
During the dark days of the Civil war, Mr. Smith was a loyal defender of the Union, serving from October, 1861, until July, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. In politics he votes with the democratic party and is public spirited in his citizenship. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of honest labor. Starting out in life without any favoring circumstances, through the exercises of his dominant powers-ambition, energy and industry-he has worked his way up and is now classed among the prosper- ous and influential farmers of Butler township.
GABRIEL IZOR.
Gabriel Izor, a farmer and fruit grower of New Lebanon, Montgomery county, started upon his life's journey in Preble county, this state, on the 7th of July, 1850, the son of Philip and Mary (Beachler) Izor. The Izor family had for two generations been identified with the life of Preble county, for Peter Izor, the grandfather of Gabriel, was one of the early settlers there, coming from his na- tive state of Pennsylvania, and settling in that county, long ere it had attained the development it enjoys at present.
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Gabriel Izor from his childhood's days has devoted himself to farming. As a young boy, from the time he was large enough to perform the simplest of the tasks about the home, he became habituated to methods of agriculture under the guidance of his father and even when attending school, he assisted in the work of the farm. For many years, he pursued that vocation in the county in which he was born and at other places, but about fourteen years ago removed to the farm in Montgomery county, which he occupies at present. Of late years, he has gone into fruit raising to quite an extent, but continues to follow general farming.
Shortly after attaining his manhocd, Mr. Izor was married on the Ioth of April, 1873, to Miss Adeline Zeck, the daughter of Solomon and Sarah (Linder- muth) Zeck. Five children have been born to them: William, who came into the world in 1873; Charles, born in 1875; Sadie Alice, in 1878; John Wesley, in 1882; and Dorsey, in 1887. The family are all active members of the Lutheran church and are closely identified with both its social and religious work.
Mr. Izor is a man who has been prominent in the life of his township, for he is possessed of considerable public spirit which has been appreciated by his fellow- townsmen, who have elected him to many offices in the township, all of which he has filled with marked distinction and honor, but it is in matters pertaining to education that he takes the greatest interest, realizing that a good schooling is one of the best preparations the young obtain for the battles of life. His voice is ever raised on the side of progress in these matters. Indeed he is a man with whom steady progress goes hand in hand with conscientious work and devotion to the daily tasks of life. He is respected and honored by all who know him and has the good-will of those who have witnessed his success, for this has come through his own efforts, not through the exertions of another.
JACOB STINE.
Jacob Stine, a well known resident of Perry township, his home being near Lewisburg, is a native of Montgomery county, born in Jefferson township on the 21st of May, 1852, and is a son of George and Margaret (Beachler) Stine. The father was a native of Maryland, born June 7, 1821, his parents being John and Catherine (Gilbert) Stine, who in company with their three sons came to Ohio in February, 1823, from their old home in Frederick county, Maryland. The journey was made in covered wagons and it was six weeks before they reached their destination, having spent one whole day in crossing the river at Wheeling, West Virginia. That night his wagon was robbed and the five hundred dollars which he had saved from his earnings to purchase land was taken from him leaving him only twenty-five dollars in his pocket. Nothing daunted, however, lie determined to establish a home for himself and family in Montgomery county, and his hopes were later realized. Shortly after locating here one of his sons died and subsequently two sons and one daughter were born here, making six children who lived to marry and rear families of their own. Today his descen- dants number two hundred and twenty-two, and with the exception of fifty-thirce all live in Montgomery county, Ohio, forty-two being residents of Shelby county,
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Indiana, five of Columbus, Indiana, two of Edinburg, Indiana, and four somewhere in Illinois. Soon after his arrival in Dayton, which was then a very small place, he located on the ground now occupied by the National Soldiers Home and a few years later purchased a small tract of land a few miles distant, where he reared his family. Most of his descendants have devoted themselves to agri- cultural pursuits.
George Stine, the father of our subject, was married December 13, 1845, to Miss Margaret Beachler, and they became the parents of eight children, namely : Sarah E., born July 31, 1847; Mary M., June 21, 1849; Jacob, May 21, 1852; Margaret Ellen, April 18, 1854; Amanda Catherine, April 21, 1856; Malinda, De- cember 10, 1858; Lovina Rachel, November 15, 1861 ; and George Monroe, Sep- tember II, 1866.
Jacob Stine was reared and educated in much the usual manner of farmer boys of his time and locality. Soon after reaching manhood, he was married, on the 14th of October, 1875, to Miss Eliza Ann Fortney, who was born July 23, 1857, her parents being Samuel N. and Frances ( Brooker) Fortney, residents of Jefferson township, Montgomery county. Mr. and Mrs. Stine have two children living, while one son, Charles Adam, born March 13, 1877, died July 19th of that year. Harvey Wilson, the second son, was born April 25, 1878, and was married on the 14th of January, 1900, to Miss Bertha Ann Miller, who was born De- cember 17, 1881. They have two daughters: Nina Marie, born August 14, 1901 ; and Erma Irene, born December 31, 1902. Harry Elmer, the youngest son of our subject, was born April 24, 1884, and was married May 22, 1903, to Miss Edith Estella Poe, whose birth occurred December 7, 1883. They have one son, Ever- ett Monroe, born November 28, 1904.
Mr. Stine belongs to that class of men who are termed self-made, owing their success entirely to their own unaided efforts, their good business ability and sound judgment. He is public-spirited and progressive and takes an active inter- est in educational affairs, having served efficiently as school director for some time. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church and have the respect and esteem of all who know them.
THOMAS DE ARMON.
Thomas De Armon is president of the City National Bank of Dayton and is officially connected with various other institutions of this city. He was born in the vicinity of Dayton, Montgomery county, this state, in 1842, and comes of Scotch, Irish and French lineage. His grandfather, David De Armon, a native of County Down, Ireland, came to America at the age of seventeen and settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he married a Miss Le Van. His son, Alexander De Armon, the father of our subject, was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and married Isabel McGregor, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and a daughter of Thomas and Janet McGregor, who came to America when Isabel was six years of age.
Thomas De Armon attended the public schools of Dayton until fifteen years of age. He laid aside his text-books, however, at the end of his first year of high
THOMAS DE ARMON
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school and went to work in the paper mill of Mead & Weston, where he remained for two years. At the age of eighteen years he entered the machine shop of Thompson, McGregor & Company and mastered the details of that trade. As his ability and experience increased he was promoted from time to time and con- tinued with the firm throughout the various changes in its ownership. Their first change was to McGregor & Callahan and subsequently the firm con- ducted business under the name of W. P. Callahan. This in turn became W. P. Callahan & Company and is now known as The W. P. Callahan Company, of which Mr. De Armon is president. His present official position came to him as the logical result of indefatigable energy, untiring industry and unfaltering persever- ance, and throughout the intervening years, as he has prospered, he has extended his interests along other directions until today he is the president of the City Na- tional Bank of Dayton ; president of the Equitable Loan & Savings Association ; and president of the Ohio Paper Company at Miamisburg, Ohio. In his various official capacities he is exerting his efforts toward administrative direction and executive control and his business sagacity and keen discernment are proving potent elements in the success of the several enterprises with which he is connected.
The only interruption in his active business career came when, responding to his country's call for aid, he went to the front as a private of Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, his term covering one hundred days.
In 1873, in Dayton, Mr. De Armon was united in marriage to Miss Lila G. Ensey, a daughter of Dennis and Margaret (Wilson) Ensey. As the years passed their home was blessed with three children, namely: Margaret, the wife of Frank K. Neill ; Helen I .; and Robert L.
Religiously Mr. De Armon is a Presbyterian, a member of the Third Street church, while politically he gives his support to the republican party. He has served as tax commissioner and as a member of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a stanch champion. He is a prominent figure in fra- ternal circles, being a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason, a Knight Tem- plar and also a member of the different subordinate bodies. He is likewise iden- tified with the Knights of Pythias, also holds membership in the Dayton City Club and is popular with a large circle of warm friends. He is eminently a man of af- fairs, while in his citizenship he is true to those principles which stand for high and honorable manhood. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of Dayton and at the same time he has carried forward his private business interests, being conspicuous among his associates not only for his success but for his probity, fairness and honorable methods.
CLEMENT R. GILMORE.
Clement R. Gilmore, enjoying an extensive clientage as a practitioner of law in Dayton, his position in the legal circles of the state being indicated by the fact that for five years, he has been honored with the position of treasurer of the Ohio State Bar Association, was born at Eaton, Preble county, Ohio, Septem- ber 5, 1858.
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His father, William J. Gilmore, was a native of Virginia, born in Bedford county, in 1821. When but four years of age, he was brought to Ohio by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Eli Gilmore, who in 1825, located in Preble county. Their son, William J. Gilmore, was here reared and educated and in early life engaged in teaching school but, desiring to become a member of the legal profession, he studied in preparation therefor and in 1847 was admitted to the bar. He then lo- cated for practice in Hamilton, Ohio, where he remained for two or three years, after which, he removed to Eaton, where he soon established himself in a suc- cessful and growing law business. In 1852, he was elected prosecuting attorney in Preble county and served for two terms while in 1857, he was appointed to fill out the unexpired term on the common pleas bench. Proving a capable in- cumbent in that position, his decisions being characterized by equity and a com- prehensive knowledge of the law. In 1862 retiring from the bench, he resumed the private practice of law in Eaton, but in 1867, was again chosen for judicial honors, being elected to the common pleas bench whereon he served until 1875. Higher judicial honors awaited him for in that year, he was chosen a judge of the supreme court of Ohio and for five years acted as a member of the highest tribunal of the state, proving himself the peer of the ablest members, who have sat upon the bench of the court of last resort. When his term was expired, he located for practice in Columbus, where he remained as an active, honored and influential member of the profession until his death in 1896. His political allegi- ance was given to the democratic party, but at the time of the Civil war, he was a stanch advocate of the Union cause and served with the Squirrel Hunters in pursuit of General Morgan.
Clement R. Gilmore spent his youthful days in the place of his nativity and in the common schools pursued his education through successive grades, until he was graduated from the high school with the class of 1877. He then entered the University at Wooster, Ohio, but did not graduate because impaired health caused him to put aside his studies. For two years afterwards, he was engaged in civil engineering and in 1881, he went to Columbus, Ohio, where he spent two years as special examiner in the state insurance commissioner's office and was active in routing out of Ohio the "graveyard insurance companies." Subsequently, he filled the position of bookkeeper for two years in a wholesale grocery in Columbus, after which he entered upon the study of law in his father's office in the capital city and was admitted to the bar in 1888. He then practiced with his father in Columbus, until the latter's death in 1896, after which Clement R. Gilmore went to California, where he remained for a year.
On returning eastward, Mr. Gilmore located at Eaton, Ohio, where he prac- ticed for two years and in 1903, came to Dayton, where for six years, he success- fully followed his profession. He now has a large and important clientage and his superior ability enables him to successfully handle the litigated interests en- trusted to his care. He is a member of the local and state bar associations and of the latter, has served as treasurer for five years. Aside from his professional interests, he is known in business circles as the director of several corporations.
In 1889, Mr. Gilmore was married in Cleveland to Miss Ellen Porter Gardner, a daughter of Commodore George W. Gardner, of Cleveland, who was for two
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terms mayor of Cleveland and one of its most honored and prominent citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore now have two sons and one daughter.
In his fraternal relations, Mr. Gilmore is a Royal Arch Mason. He belongs to the Phi Delta Theta, a college fraternity and to the Saturday Club, while his religious convictions are indicated in his membership in the First Presbyterian church, of which he is now serving as a trustee. In politics, he is an ardent demo- crat, taking an active interest in the party and frequently serving as a delegate to state conventions. His influence is strongly felt in those lines to which he has directed his activity and he is now one of the prominent and successful law- yers and business men of Dayton.
SAMUEL HARRISON BASORE.
Samuel Harrison Basore is successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits on his valuable farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Madison township, situated about a mile and a half northeast of the Salem pike. It was on this farm that his birth occurred on the 8th of January, 1859, his parents being Samuel and Lydia (Fetters) Basore. The paternal great-grandfather, who emigrated from Ger- many, was the first representative of the name in this country, taking up his abode in Berks county, Pennsylvania. The first representative of the name in Mont- gomery county, was Benjamin Basore, the grandfather, who, leaving the Key- stone state, cast in his lot with the early settlers here. Samuel Basore, the father of our subject, was eighteen years of age when he made the journey from Penn- sylvania to this county, finding the district largely an unsettled and undeveleped region. He was numbered among the first settlers in this part of the state and assisted in clearing the land of the timber. He purchased from David Lord the property which is now known as the old Basore homestead and is owned and operated by Samuel H. Basore, of this review. His family numbered eight children, namely: Absalom and Sarah, both of whom are deceased; Catherine ; Elizabeth ; Lydia; Susan; John; and Samuel Harrison. The surviving mem- bers of this family are all residents of Montgomery county.
During the period when Samuel H. Basore attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education, he also assisted in the work of the home farm, thus early gaining extensive and practical knowledge of the occupation to which he has devoted his time and energies throughout his active business career. He has remodeled the large brick residence which was built by his father about sixty years ago, has brought the old homestead property under a high state of cultiva- tion and improvement and in his general farming interests, has met with a most gratifying measure of prosperity. On the farm there is also an old log cabin, which was erected in 1797 and is still in comparatively good condition. Mr. Ba- sore intends remodeling the same, so that it may be preserved as a relic.
On the 28th of February, 1884, Mr. Basore was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Dohner, a daughter of Henry Dohner. She came to this county from Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, about twenty-seven years ago and by her mar- riage has become the mother of three children, as follows: Harry, who wedded
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Miss Lillie Wolf and has one child, Mabel; Alice, the wife of George Murray ; and Ida, who has completed her education and is living at home.
Mr. Basore is now serving as county trustee, which position he has capably filled for the past two years. He has also acted as a school director for six years, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. The name of Basore has been closely associated with the agricultural development of this county throughout the entire period of its growth and improvement and Samuel H. Basore, like his father and grandfather, has made a creditable rec- ord by his activity, enterprise, integrity and success in his chosen field of labor.
JOHN V. WHITE.
John V. White, a prosperous farmer of Miami township, lives upon his farm on the Springboro road, about one mile east of Alexanderville. He was born August 29, 1855, in a log cabin on this farm and is a son of James V. and Hester Ann (Nevinger) White. The father, who was the son of John V. and Elizabeth White, was born in this county and bought the place upon which his son lives. It had already been cleared and upon it he engaged in general farming, but being in poor health the care and responsibility of the place early devolved upon his son, John V. White.
The latter was the only son of his parents. He was reared at home and there and in the common schools of the county acquired those fundamental lessons of life that have made possible the success of his later years. From the time that he was able to assume the smallest responsibility about the home he has done his share of what there was to do, and as he grew older and his father lost in strength, the burden of the farm fell more and more upon his shoulders. For a time, how- ever, he worked at the trade of a wagonmaker, in which he had some experience, but it was for only a short time, and the large part of his life has been spent in the cultivation of the soil.
On the 16th of November, 1879, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. White and Miss Margaret Christman, who is the daughter of John and Catherine (Cou- terie) Christman. But one child, Dotty, has been born to them. She is now the wife of John H. Musselman, who is engaged in the plastering business in Dayton, and is the mother of a daughter, Catherine, who is two years old. To the Pres- byterian church the family give their religious adherence and are regular in their attendance at its services and eager in their work for its welfare.
Though so skillful a farmer, Mr. White does not permit his home duties to absorb all his time and energy to the detriment of his enjoyment of the simpler joys of life and of the spirit of public service that has actuated him for years. For three terms he has been justice of the peace, and at the last election was given a large majority, but would not accept the honor which the people would thrust upon him. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to the Marion Lodge, No. 18, and to Encampment No. 82. In both the organization and its members he takes an active interest and is ever ready to exert himself in its or their behalf. In short he is a man who, not shirking responsibility when it came to him, by the simple
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performance of his duties, has built for himself a character of stability and worth. His public service was all that could be asked of any man, and it is only regretted that he saw fit to resign the office he had so well filled for many years.
ALFRED LEO SILBERMAN.
Alfred Leo Silberman, a druggist and pharmacist of Miamisburg, where he was born November 10, 1879, is numbered among the more successful of the young and enterprising business men of the city. His paternal grandfather, John Silberman, was one of the early settlers of Dayton, where he established and conducted a blacksmith shop. He married Miss Margaret Bauer and unto them were born two sons and three daughters. John Silberman died when more than sixty years of age, while his wife reached the advanced age of seventy-nine years. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Philip Elsass, who was born in Ger- many, near the French line. He was a farmer by occupation and on coming to the United States, settled near Canton in Carroll county, whence he after- ward removed to Auglaize county, taking up his abode near Wapakoneta. There he died at the age of sixty-eight years, while his wife, Mrs. Magdalena (Young) Elsass, passed away at the age of seventy-six years. They were the parents of eleven daughters.
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