USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 92
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Adam Silberman, the father of our subject, is a native of Dayton and has always been engaged in the shoe business. He has spent his entire life within the borders of Montgomery county and has made his home in Miamisburg, since March, 1876. He and his wife are still living in Miamisburg and are among its most respected and worthy citizens. In early manhood, he wedded Miss Mar- garet Elsass, who was born near Canton, Ohio, and they became the parents of two sons and two daughters: Laura May, the wife of C. M. Schuber; Clara Louise ; Alfred L. ; and Carl Elsass. The last named is now deceased.
Alfred Leo Silberman was reared in Miamisburg and attended the public and high schools. He then began clerking in Mr. Bohn's drug store and studied phar- macy, being graduated from the Ada College of Pharmacy with the class of 1899. He was afterward employed for a few months in Dayton and subsequently en- gaged in clerking in a drug store in Cincinnati for six years. In March, 1906. he bought a drug store in Miamisburg, known as the Central Drug Store, owned by the firm of Albrecht, Niswonger & Rogers and is now proprietor of that es- tablishment. He has a well appointed stock, neatly and tastefully arranged and his business has been continually growing as he proved himself worthy of the public patronage, both by his knowledge of the drug business and his reliability in his commercial transactions.
On the 20th of September, 1903, Mr. Silberman was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Emma Deitsch, a daughter of Colonel Philip and Anna Jane (John- ston) Deitsch, of Cincinnati. She was born in that city while her father was a native of Germany and her mother of Ireland. For seventeen years, her father occupied a prominent place in municipal affairs as chief of police of Cincinnati. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Silberman, have been born two children, Dorothy Jane and
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Carl Auswell. The parents are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Silber- man belongs to Hoffner Lodge, No. 53, F. & A. M., of Cincinnati ; and to Cum- minsville Chapter, No. 158, R. A. M. He is also connected with the Junior Order of American Mechanics, belonging to Star City Council, No. 277. Politically he is a republican and he lives on South Seventh street. His success in business and his active connection with the work of general improvement and progress gain him classification with the representative and honored residents of Miamis- burg.
EUGENE J. BARNEY.
For almost six decades the name of Barney has figured continuously in con- nection with the industrial development of Dayton and for forty-two years Eu- gene J. Barney has been a factor in the city's growth in this connection as a mem- ber of the extensive enterprise now operated under the name of the Barney & Smith Manufacturing Company. As a financier he has also occupied a position of prominence, and in other fields his activity has been a source of substantial ben- efit to the city and state as well as a factor in his individual prosperity.
When the city of Dayton had scarcely merged from villagehood his father, Eliam E. Barney, took up his abode here and the son was born in Dayton, Feb- ruary 12, 1839. The father's interest in education naturally led him to give his son excellent opportunities in that direction and when he had mastered the branches taught in the public schools here he went to Rochester, New York, and pursued a course in the Rochester University. Returning to Dayton in 1866 he purchased the interest of S. F. Woodsum in the Barney & Smith Car Works and bent him- self to mastering the business in principle and detail, knowing that successful man- agement must ever depend upon a thorough knowledge of the enterprise under control. In a few years Mr. Barney had displayed such aptitude and readiness in understanding the business in its different departments that he was made su- perintendent of the works and upon the retirement of Mr. Smith he was elected vice-president and superintendent, so continuing until 1880, when upon the death of his father, he was chosen to the presidency. Since that time he has been the chief executive officer and the history of the Barney & Smith Manufacturing Company through more than a quarter of a century is largely the record of Eugene J. Barney's commercial advancement.
In other lines, also, he has demonstrated his ability in his successful solution of intricate and complex business problems. He is now the president of the Day- ton Manufacturing Company, president of the Cooper Hydraulic Company and the Dayton Arcade Company and a director of other concerns. He has become as- sociated with financial concerns as a director of the Fourth National Bank and of the Union Safe Deposit & Trust Company. His name is also on the directorate of the National Improvement Company, the City Street Railway Company, the Wisconsin Central Railroad Company, the New York, Lake Erie & Western Rail- way Company, the Davis Sewing Machine Company and other concerns. What he undertakes he carries forth to successful completion nor has he been slow to en-
EUGENE J. BARNEY
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courage others who are seeking through their own efforts to attain something of the prominence and success which have crowned his labors in the business world.
On the 12th of February, 1862, Mr. Barney was united in marriage to Miss M. Belle Huffman, the eldest daughter of the late W. P. Huffman, of Dayton, and the children born to them are Mrs. Anna B. Gorman; Julia, deceased; Mrs. Marie B. Reynolds ; and Eugene E., who has also passed away. The wife and mother died in January, 1905, and later Mr. Barney married Mrs. Elinor M. Chapman, of Dayton.
The history of Mr. Barney is another illustration of the fact that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously. The recognition and utilization of opportuities have been salient features in his career, bringing him into important business relations. He is well poised at all times, careful and conservative in his judgment, yet progressive in his methods, and what he has done in the business world is but the measure of his ability. He succeeded his father as trustee in Deni- son University and held that position for twenty-nine years. During this time he has contributed liberally towards the support of that institution being one of the most liberal contributors and he has also been very liberal in his gifts to the Young Men's Christian Association.
WILLIAM B. IDDINGS.
The name of Iddings has long been a synonym for ability and for success in the practice of law at the Dayton bar. William B. Iddings has for a third of a century been identified with the legal profession here and with the passing of the years his powers have expanded and his success has grown until he stands today as one of the foremost representatives of the legal fraternity of this city. One of Dayton's native sons he was born in 1855, his father being Daniel W. Iddings, who was also born in Dayton, his natal year being 1819. It will thus be seen that for about a century the family has been represented in this city and with progress and development along many lines its members have been actively associated.
Reared in Dayton, Ohio, Daniel W. Iddings continued his residence here up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1883, when he was sixty-four years of age. He completed his literary course by graduation from the Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, and after preliminary reading was admitted to the bar and en- tered upon active practice in which he continued until his death. He gave his at- tention to general law practice, keeping well informed on all departments of juris- prudence and remaining throughout his life a close and discriminating student of principles and precedent. He wedded Miss Maria Rebecca Atkin and unto this marriage were born three sons: Charles D., who died in 1899; William B .; and Alexander, who died in infancy. The mother still survives.
In political circles Daniel W. Iddings was very prominent, taking an active in- terest in the work of the party and doing all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success. Well fitted for leadership in this connection he was twice called to serve as mayor of Dayton and gave to the city a business-like administration, in- stituting various needed reforms and improvements. He also served for many
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years in the city council and exercised his official prerogatives in support of all that he believed would prove beneficial in municipal affairs. He acted as president of the council for about ten years and as presiding officer his rulings were always characterized by justice and equity. In 1867 he became registrar in bankruptcy and filled that office until the law was repealed. He is yet remembered by his as- sociates and colleagues as a man of irreproachable political and professional in- tegrity, who at all times was actuated by high ideals in his relations to the public.
William B. Iddings is indebted to the public school system of Dayton for the educational privileges that enabled him to lay a strong foundation for professional learning. After leaving the public schools he took up the study of law, in 1873, in the office of his father, Daniel W. Iddings, who directed his reading for two years. He next entered the law department of Union University at Albany, New York, and was graduated in 1876, being at the same time admitted to the bar of that state. Following his return to Ohio he was admitted in the same year to practice in the courts of this state and, locating in Dayton, joined his father and his brother, Charles D. Iddings, in a partnership which continued until dissolved by death, the father passing away in 1883, while the brother's death occurred in 1899. Since that time Mr. Iddings has practiced alone and has been accorded a large clientage for his ability is widely acknowledged. Of a family conspicuous for strong intelligence, indomitable courage and energy he entered upon his ca- reer as a lawyer and such is his force of character and natural qualifications that he has made steady advancement and has long been numbered mong the promi- nent members of the Dayton bar.
In 1903 in this city Mr. Iddings was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Van Aus- dale, daughter of the late Isaac Van Ausdale. They are well known socially and are valued members of the Third Street Presbyterian church. Mr. Iddings gives his political allegiance to the republican party while in fraternal relations he is con- nected with the Masons. As many of his stanchest friends are those who have known liim from his boyhood it is useless to cite other evidence of a life of well di- rected activity and honorable purpose.
ROSCOE T. STAUTER.
Roscoe T. Stauter is one of the younger representatives of the Dayton bar, yet his comparative youth does not seem to impede his progress as already he has obtained a position in legal circles that many an older practitioner might well envy. He was born on a farm in Clark county, Ohio, January 12, 1881, and was yet an infant when his parents removed to Springfield. There he resided until 1897, when he came to Dayton. He had completed his preliminary education in the schools of Springfield, Ohio, and his collegiate course, was pursued in the university at Ada, Ohio, where he was graduated with the class of 1903, the de- gree of Bachelor of Law being at that time conferred upon him. In the same year, he was admitted to the bar and began practice in Dayton, where for six years, he has followed his profession. Realizing that industry is as essential in professional as in industrial life, he bends his energies toward the successful man-
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agement of every litigated interest entrusted to him, and in the trial of cases, he gives evidence of careful and thorough preparation in the able manner in which he handles the points of his case and meets the attack of the opposing counsel.
While Mr. Stauter votes with the republican party and is in sympathy with its purposes, he takes no active part in the work of the campaigns. He belongs to no secret orders, but holds membership with the United Brethren church.
J. M. FAUVER.
J. M. Fauver, who is at present filling the office of clerk of Van Buren township, is also successfully engaged in general merchandizing in Belmont. A native of Montgomery county, Ohio, he was born March 2, 1864, a son of John and Catherine (Darner) Fauver. The family, which originally came from Eng- land, has been represented in this country since early colonial days, the great- great-grandfather of our subject, having arrived in America during the Revo- lutionary period and participated in the war for independence. The grandpar- ents of our subject, John and Annie (Johnson) Fauver, were among the oldest settlers of this county, the former, a native of New Jersey, arriving here when it was yet an uncultivated district. With his family, he drove across the Alle- ghenies, his destination being the state of Ohio. Here he located in Montgomery county and cast in his lot with the pioneers, aiding in the work of transforming the wild region into productive fields. He spent his remaining days here and when he passed away, was laid to rest in Woodland. His son, John Fauver, the father of our subject, was but two years of age at the time of the removal from New Jersey, and during the trip was lost in the forest, but was found before he had suffered any injury. He acquired his education in the common schools of the district and assisted on his father's farm until eighteen years of age, when he became identified with the stone-quarry business and was thus connected for thirty-five years, at the expiration of which time, he retired from active busi- ness. He had in the meantime, taken up a farm which he cleared and operated. He passed away in 1905.
J. M. Fauver, whose name introduces this review, was one of the youngest members of his father's household and acquired his preliminary education in the schools of this county and also at Dayton, Ohio. He enjoyed the advantage of a course of study at Wilts Commercial College, and thus well equipped for the practical and responsible duties of life, he took his initial step in business life in connection with the dairy business. He purchased six cows and by careful management, indefatigable industry and untiring perserverance, he built up the business until, when he withdrew from that line of activity some time later, he had made considerable money out of the enterprise. The two years succeeding his withdrawal from the dairy business, were spent in travel and then he went into the coal business, continuing in that connection to the present time. He had been most successful in this venture, being accorded a large and constantly growing trade. He has also gained a wide local reputation as a horticulturist, his products being considered the standard on the Dayton market.
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In 1893, occurred the marriage of Mr. Fauver and Miss Alice Manning, a daughter of Fred and Elizabeth Manning, and unto this union, were born three children, Fred McClellen, Robert Bruce and Margaret Eileen, the first two being students at school.
Mr. Fauver holds membership in the United Brethren church and takes a deep interest in all of its affairs. He is a member of the school board and has served thereon for several years, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart cham- pion. He has also been a member for several years of the American Insurance Union. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and although' the honors and emoluments of office have held no attraction for him, he neverthe- less is not remiss in the duties of citizenship, but lends the weight of his influence at all times toward those matters which have for their object the material, intel- lectual and moral welfare of the community. He is well known in this county where his entire life has been spent and during this period his genuine worth, his active life and his high principles have commended him to the respect, trust and good will of all with whom he has been associated.
CHARLES W. DIEHL.
Charles W. Diehl, a gardener of Harrison township and his sister Julia, are the last of the old family of Diehls, who were among the early settlers in this part of the county. Charles W. Diehl was born September 16, 1863, on the truck farm which is his home today, and is the son of Carl and Mary Diehl. The father was about thirty years of age when he came to this country from Germany, the land of his birth. In the old country, he had received all of his education and had already had some experience as a farmer, had in fact made a considerable repu- tation for himself as a cultivator of the soil, before he came to the United States. Upon his arrival here, he worked at various pursuits, but finally purchased the present homestead and devoted all his energies to bringing from the land the best that it had to give. It was shortly after he became a landholder that he married. His parents, Philip and Elizabeth Diehl, were never induced to leave Germany, their native land.
In the schools of Greencastle, both Charles Diehl and his sister were educated. During the period of their youth, however, work on the farm went hand in hand with the lessons of the school, so that they were both fully equipped, the boy especially, for the responsibilities that later life brought upon them. Upon the death of his father, Charles Diehl took entire charge of the farm, though he had been the virtual manager from the time he was fifteen years old, when his father began to lose his sight and had to resign many of the cares and burdens of life. The farm is located on the Big Four Railroad, whose tracks run through it, and shows the results of its owner's hard work in its well tilled fields, the thorough re- pair of all buildings and appurtenances, and its general air of prosperity. .
Though so much of his time is of necessity given to the cultivation of his garden, Mr. Diehl does not forget that wholesome intercourse with his fellows is one of the joys of life, but gives himself many a pleasant hour in the company of
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his fraternal brothers among the Red Men and in Pocahontas lodge. In both of these organizations. he takes a deep interest and is intimately identified with their purposes and ideals. In matters of religion, Mr. Diehl gives his allegiance to the Lutheran church and is loyally faithful to its creed and teachings. In the city of Dayton, he finds a market for the produce of his garden and has built for him- self a reputation for honesty and faithfulness that many another might envy.
EDWARD R. MUELLER.
Edward R. Mueller, practicing law at the Dayton bar, was born in this city, February 25, 1872. His father, Joseph Mueller, born in Germany in 1837, came to America in 1852 as a youth of fifteen years. America proved to him such an irresistible attraction that he ran away from home and came alone to the United States. For a short time, he remained in New York and then came west- ward to Ohio, retaining his residence in Cincinnati for a period of seven years, during which time he worked at the baker's trade, with which he had become somewhat familiar ere leaving the fatherland. On the expiration of that period, he went to Muncie, Indiana, where he continued until 1861, opening a bakery there. In the latter years, he responded to the country's call for troops and served with an Ohio regiment.
Following the close of the war, he returned to Muncie, Indiana, in 1866, and there established a bakery which he conducted for several years. On coming to Dayton, he engaged in the bakery business with his father-in-law, Andrew Haberer, and continued in that line until his death which occurred in Dayton in 1901. He became recognized as one of the representative and well known citizens of the community, conducting a successful business for many years. He held membership in the Catholic church and was also a member of the Old Guard Post, G. A. R.
In Dayton, he was married to Miss Mary Haberer and unto them were born four children, of whom two died in infancy, while two are yet living, the elder brother being Frank S. Mueller of Dayton. After the death of Mrs. Mary Mueller, the father afterward married again, his second union being with Miss Catharine Haberer, a sister of his first wife. They became the parents of three children, of whom two are living: Minnie May, now the wife of Wilford P. Glaser, of Dayton ; and Ida F., Mrs. Catharine Mueller, departed this life in 1893.
In the city of his nativity Edward R. Mueller was reared and his education included the regular public school course and two years' study under a private tutor. In preparation for the practice of law, he entered the Cincinnati Law School, from which he was graduated in 1898. On account of his health, he did not take up the active practice of the profession for two years thereafter, but in 1900, opened an office and has since continued in the general practice of law with a growing clientage that is indicative of his ability and his thorough understand- ing of legal principles. Realizing the fact that industry is as essential in this calling as in any industrial or mercantile pursuit, he applies himself with untir- ing energy to the mastery of the legal problems presented and has been con-
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nected with much of the important work of the courts in the opening years of the present century.
Mr. Mueller is a communicant of the Catholic church in which he was reared and in politics is independent as he does not consider himself bound by party ties, but votes as his judgment dictates.
NICHOLAS THOMAS.
Among the citizens of Dayton who have long been prominently identified with her business interests is Nicholas Thomas, president of The N. Thomas Brewing Company and today the only survivor of the pioneer brewers of the city. A native of Germany, he was born on the 14th of December, i825, in Ester- wege, Hanover, and is a son of John and Regina (Neibers) Thomas. The fa- ther, who was a farmer and sheep raiser, died when our subject was only fourteen years of age. At that time the educational facilities in the smaller provinces of Germany were very poor and Nicholas Thomas was only able to attend school for a few years, studying the common branches in a Catholic parochial institution at Esterwege. During the summer seasons he assisted his father in the work of the farm and in herding the sheep. After leaving school he continued to aid in the operation of the farm until about twenty-one years of age.
Up to this time he had been restrained from leaving the old country on account of army regulations, but was subsequently rejected for service, owing to his in- ability to pass the medical examination. As soon as he was permitted to leave Germany Mr. Thomas sailed for the United States and after a voyage of ten weeks landed at New Orleans, Louisiana, from which point he traveled by boat up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati. From Cincinnati he walked to Day- ton in his stocking feet, carrying his shoes in his pack, although the weather was severely cold. He arrived at Dayton about the middle of January, 1848, but re- mained in this city for only two weeks at that time, however, working at cleaning the canal. Then in company with three of his fellow countrymen, he started on foot to Decatur, Indiana, reaching that point with only seven dollars in his pocket and having walked the entire distance. He remained there until the following spring, engaged in hauling wood from his uncle's farm to the soap factory, and later, accompanied by a cousin, he went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he se- cured employment on a canal boat transporting stone from Huntington to Fort Wayne. After a lapse of nine months, during which time he was ill with ague, he walked to Minster, Ohio, where he took a canal boat for Dayton.
At that time Mr. Thomas located permanently in this city and during the first three years of his residence here was in the employ of the Dickey stone quarry. He next drove a team for Dan Beckel and later acted as foreman during the excava- tion of the cellars for the Beckel House and in making and keeping up the turn- pikes. He drove a four-horse team, hauling the logs and lumber for the Long- stead sawmill. which was then located on the present site of the N. Thomas brew- ery. Saving some of his earnings, he was at length able to purchase a horse and dray and in 1857 embarked in the drayage business. which he carried on until 1871,
NICHOLAS THOMAS
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and in the following four years was employed as night watchman by several banks in Dayton. With a little accumulated capital Mr. Thomas then opened a grocery at the corner of Third and Front streets, being engaged in that business until 1880, when he purchased the Brown brewery, which then had a capacity of about six hundred barrels per year. Through persistent effort he increased the busi- ness and was at length able to purchase the buildings and land from Henry Fer- neding. In 1900 the business was incorporated under the name of The N. Thomas Brewing Company with Mr. Thomas as president, and at that time the output amounted to eleven thousand barrels per year. In 1906 this plant was merged with the Dayton Breweries Company, Mr. Thomas becoming a director and hold- ing the position of general manager of the N. Thomas plant, which now has a ca- pacity of eighty thousand barrels per year. He is also interested in a number of other enterprises, being president of the Thomas Real Estate Company and a director of the Equitable Loan & Savings Association, both of Dayton.
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