USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 95
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103
993
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
gave up the active pursuit of farming, and now lives in Johnsville, enjoying good health, which sixty-nine years have not in the least impaired. His wife was Miss Lucinda Heeter before her marriage and is the mother of his four children- George T., Laura B., Lewis A. and Elizabeth.
Lewis A. Clemmer pursued his studies in the schools of this county and worked on the farm at the same time until his sixteenth year, when he went to Brook- ville, Ohio, to complete his education. His first business training, however, in which he acquired those principles and methods that have brought him success, was gained when he and his father opened a grocery store, after his sojourn in Brookville. Later he established a store of his own in that town and remained there two years, when he came to Dayton and turned his attention to farming. Three years later, he returned to the city of Dayton and opened up a grocery at the corner of Third and Western streets. For nine years, until three years ago, this was the scene of his business activity, and he left it only to go into his more desirable quarters at Third and Abby.
On April 8, 1886, Mr. Clemmer was married to Miss Flora Anna Oberholser, the daughter of Levi Oberholser, and seven children have been born to the couple: Nieva, Edith and David, who have completed their education; Blanch, Mary and Margaret, who are still school girls; and Lewis A., Jr.
Mr. Clemmer is a most energetic business man, a careful buyer and a good manager and is unremitting in his efforts to give the utmost satisfaction to his patrons, so that his success follows as a matter of course. He retains his interest in affairs of the farm however, through his possession of one hundred and twen- ty acres of fine arable land in this county, near New Lebanon, on the Eaton pike. At present a tenant has charge of this. He is a member of Brookville Lodge, No. 287, Knights of Pythias, and is active in promoting the interests of the so- ciety and the individual welfare of his fraternal brothers. The Reformed church, which the Clemmer family attend, also knows him for a man who lives up to the principles he professes.
HARRIE P. CLEGG.
In the conflicts of life resulting from the conditions of modern civilization, there are men who seem equal to every emergency, whose well formulated plans compass every exigency and whose resolution overcomes every obstacle. Such is Harrie P. Clegg, president of The Dayton & Troy Electric Railway Company and the vice-president and general manager of the Oakwood Street Railway Com- pany. He is also connected with other business enterprises but is perhaps best known in Dayton and Ohio, through his operations in urban transportation.
He was born in Dayton, May 4, 1871, and is the son of Charles B. Clegg, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. At the usual age he entered the public schools, wherein he continued his studies to the age of thirteen, after which he spent six years in school in Cincinnati, Ohio; in Garden City, Long Island ; Stev- ens School, Hoboken ; and in Miami University at Oxford, Ohio. He afterward went abroad, giving his time to special courses of study in the University of Ber-
994
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
lin, thus completing his college days in 1890. He then returned to Dayton and with the business interests of the city, has since been closely associated. His powers of management and executive control have led him to an important posi- tion in the business circles of his native city.
Studying the question of urban and interurban transportation from every possible standpoint, he has sought to give to the public an adequate street car service and at the same time secure a fair and gratifying financial return upon his investment. He is now bending his energies to administrative direction in a way that has greatly promoted the success of the Oakwood Street Railway Company, of which he is vice-president and general manager, and he has done equally efficient work in the presidency of The Dayton & Troy Electric Railway Company. in this age of intense business activity, it is demanded that time and space shall De annihilated by rapid transit and to the problem of meeting this de- mand Mr. Clegg is bending his energies with results that are satisfactory alike to the public and to the stockholders of the companies with which he is asso- ciated. Mr. Clegg was the first president of the Ohio Electric Railway Asso- ciation, which later became the Central Electric Railway Association, stand- ing today as the leading organization of electric transportation industries of this district. He is also a director of the Penfield-Fairchild Publishing Company of Chicago.
In 1894, Mr. Clegg was married to Miss Lola P. Crume, a daughter of W. E. Crume, and they have four children, namely : Harriet, Charles B. (II), Will- iam Ellsworth and Joseph.
Mr. Clegg gives his political allegiance to the republican party, which finds in him a stanch advocate but not an active partisan, and at local elections where no issue is involved he is in sympathy with the spirit of political independence that seeks an honest and businesslike administration of public affairs rather than the advancement of party interests. He is a communicant of Christ Episcopal church and a part of his leisure is devoted to the pleasant associations which come through his membership in the Dayton City, the Country and the Buzfuz Clubs. He has a wide acquaintance in this city, where his entire life has been passed save for the periods devoted to study in preparatory schools and colleges elsewhere, and those who see him in daily associations of business life or in the occasional meet- ings the club and social life afford, find him at all times a pleasant and agreeable gentleman, cognizant of his own capabilities and powers but at the same time thoroughly appreciative of the substantial and admirable qualities of others.
CHARLES W. BIESER.
Charles W. Bieser. owner of Everybody's Book Shop, situated at 21 and 23 West Fifth street, Dayton, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July 11, 1867, his parents being Charles and Louise (Fuhrman) Bieser. In both the paternal and maternal lines he comes of German ancestry. His paternal grandfather, who was both a merchant and farmer. died in Germany when more than eighty years of age, and his wife also lived to an advanced age and reared a large family. The maternal
CHARLES W. BIESER
997
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
grandfather was George Fuhrman, a native of Germany, who became a tailor by trade and also followed farming. He died in the land of his birth when a young man, as the result of an accident. He married Miss Wilhelmina Zumstein, who also died in comparatively early life.
Charles Bieser, the father of our subject, was born in the city of Worms, in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. He devoted his life to merchandising and in 1854 sought a home in the new world, locating in Dayton. He afterward removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he lived during the period of the war and in 1867 returned to Dayton. Here he resumed merchandising and was for many years a promi- nent representative of the commercial interests of the city. He died June 20, 1897, at the age of fifty-nine years and is still survived by his widow. Both were members of the Lutheran church. Mrs. Bieser is a native of Rhinepfalz, Ger- many. By her marriage she became the mother of nine children, five sons and four daughters.
Charles W. Bieser was reared in Dayton and attended the public schools, after which he learned a trade. He was graduated from Professor A. D. Wilt's Com- mercial College and then became associated with his father in business. Later, however, he served as chief clerk of the probate court for two terms and was elected for two terms as clerk of the court of common pleas and circuit court. His official duties have been discharged with promptness and fidelity, making a record unsurpassed by any predecessor. Mr. Bieser is now engaged in business as a dealer in books, stationery and office furniture and is conducting the largest store of the kind in Montgomery county. He is also vice president of the First Savings & Banking Company and an officer and director in many other business institutions.
Mr. Bieser is also active in political ranks, having been chairman of the county and city republican committees, and is now chairman of the congressional com- mittee, being quite prominently identified with the political interests of this section of the state. He was a delegate to the last national convention at which Mr. Taft was nominated for president and took a prominent part in the hardest contest known in that convention. He also has the distinction held by no other man in the county of having been a delegate to twenty-one state conventions. He is a mem- ber of the Mystic Lodge, No. 405, A. F. & A . M .; Unity Chapter, No. 16, R. A. M .; Reese Council, No. 9, R. & S. M .; the Elk lodge and the Harugari, a Lieder- kranz German singing society. Both he and his wife are connected with the Eastern Star chapter.
It was on the 10th of June, 1896, that Mr. Bieser was united in marriage to Miss Flora S. Gruen, of Columbus, Ohio, a daughter of Dietrick and Amelia Gruen. There were four children of that union, Louise Pauline, Carl William, Irvin Gruen and Horace Francis, but the first named died at the age of eight months. Mrs. Bieser was born in Delaware, Ohio, while her father was a na- tive of the city of Worms, Germany. In their family were five children, Fred- erick, Mrs. Bieser, George, Francis W. and Charles. About 1868 the father, Die- trick Gruen, came to America and located at Delaware, Ohio, where he engaged in the jewelry business. He afterward made Columbus his home and incorporated the Columbus Watch Company, carrying on business along that line for some years. Afterward he organized the D. Gruen Sons Company, with main offices at Cincinnati and their factory in Bienne, Switzerland. He yet resides in Cincin-
998
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
nati and is the president of the Queen City Watch Case Company, the D. Gruen Specialty Company and several other business concerns.
Mr. and Mrs. Bieser and their family are members of the First Lutheran church. They reside at No. 564 West Second street and their home is a most hospitable one, always open for the reception of their friends, who are legion. Mr. Bieser ranks among the prominent business men and successful financiers of the city-a man strong in his honor and his good name and in his ability to plan and to perform.
HARRY GASCHO.
Harry Gascho is the general manager and part owner of the Gascho Dairy Company, which has a fine plant of extensive dimensions on the Smithville road about three miles east of Dayton. Besides the several buildings there are seventy- two acres of excellent pasture land and seventy-five additional acres used for farm- ing. Harry Gascho was born in Dayton, Ohio, May 17, 1878, the son of Henry and Mary (Rost) Gascho. His paternal grandfather, George Gascho, whose wife in her maidenhood was Miss Margaret Reit, came from France and was one of the early settlers of Dayton. The father was a carriage trimmer by trade, but he found time to study law and be admitted to the bar, though this honor came to him but a short time ere his earthly sojourn was done. He died in 1883. Mary (Rost) Gascho is the daughter of Lewis and Barbara (Motter) Rost. Her father came to this country from Germany and is now living retired in Dayton with his wife, enjoying a well earned rest. The couple are among the oldest in the city, for eighty-two and seventy-nine are the number of the years that have been al- lotted to them, respectively, thus far.
Harry Gascho is the eldest in a family of three children. Nettie, the sister next younger, is married to Fred Zimmerman and is the mother of two children, Rob- ert and Marie. George, the youngest, lives on the dairy farm, of which he is as- sistant manager. He was married to Miss Laura Karnoth and is blessed with two daughters, Marie and Gertrude.
Harry Gascho received his early education in the schools of Dayton, but in his youth knew work as well as play, for he worked at the dairying business during all his school period. Upon the death of his father he went to make his home with his grandfather, Lewis Rost, who at the ripe old age of seventy-two, in com- pany with his grandson, removed to Dayton and organized the present dairy busi- ness. Upon the shoulders of the younger man naturally fell the heavier work of getting the plant in working order and to him is largely due the credit of its present excellence. Like many another business this started very modestly, in a stable. The first additional building erected was a dairy barn, measuring one hun- dred and ten feet by thirty-six feet with room for fifty cows. A second building, of like size, was soon afterward put up and also a large cold storage milk house. The buildings are all of concrete, very modern in plan, and embody the latest im- provements in construction and sanitary conditions. The house is also a fine building, pleasantly situated off the road.
999
HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
As an active member of the Dairyman's Association, Harry Gascho keeps abreast of the times in his vocation, having filled during a period of six years the position of secretary to this organization. For some years he was secretary of the school board of his township, for the people rightly recognized the fact that a man who could make a success of a difficult business and evinced any public spirit at all would make an excellent public servant, and in this they have not been mistaken. In religious matters his allegiance and support are given to the Lutheran church on Third street, Dayton. Mr. Gascho is an energetic and enterprising young man, and the business he established has by industry and good management been pushed to the fore among others of its kind, so that the success of his early years augurs well for the future, which his friends trust will be filled with good fortune.
FRANK N. AULL.
A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Frank N. Aull was born August 27, 1862, but was only about two years of age when brought by his parents to Dayton. His father, Nicholas L. Aull, continued his residence in this city until 1895 when he went to Lookout Mountain to make his home with a daughter. For many years he was prominently engaged in the hotel business and was very popular with his patrons, enjoying in fullest measure their friendship and warm regard. The name indicates his German nativity, his birth having occurred in Hessen-Cassel, whence he came to the United States when a youth of ten years. He was always most loyal to the interests and institutions of his adopted land and for a considerable period was an active worker in democratic circles in Dayton. He married Miss Julia Gigler, a native of Hagerstown, Maryland, who died January 8, 1891. They became the parents of ten children but lost a son and daughter, Edward and Eliza- beth, in infancy. Of the others Louisa is the widow of John Weston, of Day- ton ; Catherine is the wife of W. F. Heath, of Ottawa, Illinois ; Eva is the wife of Colonel H. F. Collins, of this city ; William J. is deceased; Emma is the wife of O. L. Hurlbert, of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee; Frank N. is the next of the family John W. is connected with The Aull Brothers Paper & Box Company ; and Julia is the wife of T. V. Meyer, of Chattanooga, Tennessee.
At the usual age Frank N. Aull entered the public schools of Dayton, wherein he continued his studies until he reached the age of fourteen. At that time he en- tered the employ of R. A. Rogers, a paper jobber of Dayton, with whom he con- tinued until 1880, when he embarked in the paper and box business on his own account, beginning operations on a small scale, buying his stock in limited quanti- ties and selling the goods from a wagon. Ten years later he was joined by his brother, W. J. Aull, under the firm style of W. J. Aull & Brother. The partners bent every energy toward the development and expansion of the business, person- ally soliciting orders and then returning to their establishment to fill them. After a time their original quarters became too small and they secured adjoining space. Upon the erection of the M. J. Gibbons' building at No. 136 East Second street, they took possession of this, it having been designed and erected especially for their use. Five years later they again found their quarters too limited for their
1000
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
growing trade and began the erection of a building of their own which was ready for occupancy in January, 1895. This is a substantial brick structure five stories in height and fifty by one hundred and twenty-five feet. A side track connects their building directly with the main line of the railroad and their employes num- ber one hundred and fifty who are constantly busy in preparing the output which consists of all kinds of paper boxes and paper bags. Their trade covers the entire country, the business having become one of the most extensive productive indus- tries of Dayton. In March, 1895, the senior member of the firm, W. J. Auli, lost his life in the fatal catastrophe of the steamer, Longfellow, on which he was a pas- senger, the boat going down with all on board. Following his death the business was reorganized, another brother, J. W. Aull, succeeding the deceased partner while the firm style of The Aull Brothers Paper & Box Company was assumed, at which time F. N. Aull became the president. The business from the beginning has enjoyed a substantial and continuous growth attributable in large measure to the executive force, unfaltering enterprise and laudable ambition of him who is now at the head.
On the 2d of October, 1889, occurred the marriage of Mr. Aull and Miss Mary Ella Wetzer and they now have three children: Edgar C., Marjory and Frances. The parents are members of the Grace Methodist Episcopal church and are promi- nent in the leading social circles of the city. Mr. Aull belongs to the Dayton City Club, of which he is the second vice president and he also holds membership with the Bicycle and Country Clubs. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he earnestly desired its success, therefore giving his aid and his influence to secure the adoption of its principles. He is not, however, an aspirant for office, caring to figure in no public life except that of a successful business man. He well deserves mention in this volume as a representative of one of the old families of Dayton, continuously connected with this city since 1840 save for a brief in- terim. His personal worth alone, however, would entitle him to be numbered with the leading residents of Dayton, as in all particulars he measures up to the full standard of honorable manhood while his energy and ability make him a dynamic force in the business circles of the city.
J. A. GLASER.
J. A. Glaser is one of the younger representatives of farming interests in Wayne township, Montgomery county, where he is now the owner of one hun- dred and thirty-two acres of rich and valuable land, to the cultivation of which he gives his entire attention. Mr. Glaser was born in Miamisburg, September 3, 1873, a son of J. A. and Catharine (Glaser) Glaser. The former was born in Germany and in early life came to America, settling first at North Platte, Nebraska. He acquired his education in the common schools and for a time worked at day labor but eventually learned the boiler-maker's trade, working at the same until a few years ago, when he retired and is now spending his days in comfort and rest. The mother, however, died when our subject was but six years old.
1001
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
J. A. Glaser of this review pursued his studies in the schools at Bath until he was a youth of seventeen years. He then started out to face the stern respon- sibilities of life by working at farm labor, in which he was engaged for six years. He then went to Dayton, where for eight years he was employed in the Canby wholesale house. In the meantime he had carefully saved his earnings and pur- chased the farm of one hundred and thirty-two acres on which he now resides. This property is located in Wayne township and is one of the best improved in this section of Montgomery county. Besides raising various grains, Mr. Glaser also gives much of his time to raising hogs, in which he is quite successful.
Mr. Glaser established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Anna Rash- ford, a daughter of James and Anna Rashford. The latter is now deceased and the former makes his home in Dayton, where he is employed at day labor. Mrs. Glaser was born, reared and educated in Dayton and by her marriage has become the mother of an interesting little daughter, Rose Marie, now seven years old and a student in the Fairview district school. Mr. Glaser is a member of the Catholic Foresters of Ohio, in which he has filled office. Starting out in the business world at the age of seventeen years, Mr. Glaser showed himself ready to meet any obli- gation of life with the confidence and courage that come of conscious personal ability, and this has been one of his chief characteristics through his entire business career, and thus success for him has been assured.
HERMAN RIESAU.
Herman Riesau, a well known and successful agriculturist of Butler town- ship, is the owner of a fine farm of sixty-four acres. His birth occurred in Han- over, Germany, on the 17th of March, 1849, his parents being Henry and Regina (Brolmen) Riesau, who spent their entire lives in the fatherland. Henry Riesau was the owner of a farm and also conducted a milling business. He was about sixty years of age at the time of his death, while the demise of his wife occurred a few years ago. Their family numbered seven children, namely: Herman, of this review; Eliza, who is deceased; Henry; Frank, who took up his abode in the state of Washington after coming to this country ; Regina ; William ; and Dietrich.
Herman Riesau obtained his education in the schools of his native land and was a young man of eighteen years when he set sail for the new world, being anxious to avail himself of the advantages and opportunities which he had heard might be enjoyed in America. After landing in this country he made his way to Springfield, Ohio, where he remained for two years, on the expiration of which period he came to Montgomery county and turned his attention to farming. Sub- sequently he was engaged in the jewelry business at Cincinnati for a time but re- turned to his farm in Butler township, this county, and has since devoted his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits with gratifying success. His prop- erty comprises sixty-four acres of rich and arable land and the well tilled fields an- nually yield golden harvests in return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them.
1002
DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
In December, 1875, Mr. Riesau was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Eickhoff, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in the fall of 1849, her parents being Henry and Dorothy (Huffman) Eichkoff, the former an agriculturist of Harrison township, Montgomery county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Eichkoff are now deceased and lie buried at Beardsheer Chapel in Harrison township. They reared a family of nine children. Mr. and Mrs. Riesau are the parents of three children. Orion, who was born in 1876, follows farming in Butler township. He married Miss Ada Davidson and has one child, Isabelle. Alpha, whose birth occurred in 1878, like- wise makes her home in Butler township and is the wife of Frank Johnson, by whom she has two children, Mildred and Rolland. Clifford, born in 1888, is at home and assists in the operation of his father's farm.
In his political views Mr. Riesau is a democrat and has served as school di- rector of Butler township, the cause of education ever finding in him a stalwart champion. Both he and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the Luth- eran church at Vandalia, the teachings of which they exemplify in their daily lives. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought and through their wise utilization has gained a degree of prosperity that entitles him to recogni- tion among the substantial, enterprising and representative residents of his community.
CHARLES JACOB BENNER.
Charles Jacob Benner, a well-to-do farmer of Miami township and the owner of one hundred and seventeen acres of fine land near Miamisburg, was born on this farm, December 10, 1857, it being the old home place. He is the son of Philip and Amelia (Heinecke) Benner, who were farmers in this county. The family originally came from Maryland, and the paternal grandfather, Jacob Benner, was its first member to settle here. He was accompanied by his father, who was one of the oldest men in the county at that time. Jacob Benner wedded Miss Mary Gebhart and their son Philip spent his entire life on the old home- stead, becoming a very prominent farmer. He died here August 13, 1866, and his wife passed away March 31, 1902. In their family were three sons: Henry, a resident of Miami township; Charles Jacob, of this review ; and Edward, a resi- dent of Green county.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.