USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 98
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In Dayton, in 1891, Mr. Conley was united in marriage to Miss Laura B. Simpson, of Montgomery county, Ohio, and unto them have been born two daugh- ters, Helen S. and Mabelle E. In his fraternal relations, Mr. Conley is a Mason and, taking various degrees of the York and Scottish rite, he has attained high rank in the order. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is a member of the Dayton City Club, the Bicycle Club and the Mystic Club. He is also connected with the First Reformed church and the dominant forces in his life are such as have won for him the respect of his fellowmen. His political al- legiance is given to the democracy and while he does not seek office, he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. While his business affairs claim the major part of his time and attention, he has never neglected those other interests which constitute forces in the life of every well rounded character, coming into active association with those elements which influence the political, social and moral advancement of the community.
WILLIAM LEONARD CATEN.
William Leonard Caten, secretary of the Reynolds Aertite Carton Company of Dayton, was born in Syracuse, New York, August 29, 1861, and is a son of Law- ton and Flora (Hoyt) Caten. His father spent most of his life in Syracuse, where he was born in 1835 and died in 1905. He built the Fonda, Johnstown & Glovers- ville Railroad, which he owned and managed from 1869 until 1898. His wife, who was born near Syracuse in 1839, passed away at Gloversville, New York, in 1880. In their family were five children : William Leonard, of this review ; Eva A., the wife of Frederic Remington. of New York ; Clara, the wife of H. L. Burr, of Glov- ersville; Emma L., a resident of Syracuse; and Frederick A., of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
William Leonard Caten was a little lad of eight summers when the family re- moved from his native city to Gloversville, New York, where he continued his edu- cation, pursuing his studies there until 1879. More liberal advantages were then accorded him, enabling him to pursue a course in the St. Lawrence University, at Canton, New York, from which he was graduated in 1883 with the degree of B. S.
That year also witnessed the arrival of Mr. Caten in Dayton and now for more than a quarter of a century he has made this city his home, participating in the va- rious phases of its life and assisting in its progress and substantial improvement. He first entered the employ of the Southern Coal & Iron Company, with which he continued for a year in a comparatively humble capacity, when he succeeded to the
W. L. CATEN
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position of manager of the company, taking the place of John H. Patterson, who is now the president of the National Cash Register Company. Mr. Caton remained as manager until 1893, when he was appointed a trustee of the company, and af- terward wound up its affairs and disposed of the property in 1898. He next be- came interested in the Reynolds-Easton Company, manufacturers of waterproof signs, which was afterward merged into the Reynolds Aertite Carton Company, of which he became secretary in 1901. He is thus active in control of its business in- terests, having a voice in its management and sharing in the responsibilities that one must always face in the conduct of an important and growing business enterprise.
On the Ist of December, 1886, in Boston, Massachusetts, Mr. Caten married Miss Edith G. Eaton, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Eaton, of that city, where her mother is still living. Her father died in Boston in 1903. He took a prominent part in public affairs and served as a member of the legislature. His other chil- dren are Mrs. J. G. Quimby, of New York ; Mrs. W. D. Gunnison, of Brooklyn ; and Mrs. C. S. Heard, of Augusta, Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Caten have two sons: Walter E. and William L.
Mr. Caten belongs to the Beta Theta Phi and his social nature finds expression in his membership in the Dayton City Club, the Bicycle Club and the Country Club. His study of the political issues and questions of the day has led him to give his endorsement to the republican party and at all times he manifests a broad-minded and public-spirited interest in affairs relating to the advancement of the city, whether promulgated through one political influence or another. Personally, he has sought success through the legitimate lines of trade and commerce and while he is making steady progress in the attainment of financial independence, he has ever regarded his own self-respect and the merited esteem of his fellow-men as in- finitely more valuable than wealth, fame or position.
PETER F. HUBER.
No history of Montgomery county would be complete without mention of Peter F. Huber, who owns and operates forty-five acres of fine farm land in But- ler township. A native of Indiana, he was born in Franklin county on the 13th of May, 1844, and is a son of Peter and Catharine (Weist) Huber, both natives of Germany. Peter Huber, Sr., whose birth occurred on the 15th of May, 1813, came to the United States at an early age, settling first in Philadelphia, while later he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio. He was employed as foreman of con- struction on the Miami & Erie canal for some time, and then removed to Frank- line county, Indiana, where he engaged in general farming and also conducted a hotel and country store. Subsequently he retired from the farm and moved to Dayton, where his death occurred on the 4th of July, 1901, his remains being interred at Greencastle. His wife, who was born in 1811 in the Rhine district of Germany, came to the United States at an early age and was united in mar- riage to Mr. Huber in Indiana. She passed away in October, 1901, and was laid to rest beside her husband at Greencastle. They were both consistent mem-
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bers of the German Reformed Lutheran church and passed away in that faith. In their family were eleven children, Louise, John, Mary Ann, William H., Peter F., George P., Catharine, Michael R., Louis P., Rachel and one who died in in- fancy. Of this number Catharine, Louise, Michael and John are now deceased, the latter being buried in Muncie, Indiana, Michael and Louise in Franklin county, that state, and Catharine in Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati.
Peter F. Huber spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the county of his nativity and acquired his education as a pupil in the common schools during that period. He remained at home until nineteen years of age when, on October 19, 1864, he enlisted in the Union army as a member of Company B. Twenty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, doing garrison duty at Indianapolis. Later he went to Nashville and participated in the siege of Chattanooga, and then returned to Indianapolis, where he was mustered out on the 8th of May, 1865.
When the country no longer needed his services, Mr. Huber returned home and soon afterward removed to Dayton, where he engaged in the shoe business for seven years. Ill health, however, made it necessary for him to give up that occupation, and for six years, he was identified with the grocery business. About ten years ago, feeling that life in the country would be more congenial and profit- able, he purchased his present farm of forty-five acres located in Butler township, which he has since made his place of residence and he is now engaged in general farming. His son Henry is raising fine poultry, handling only full blooded stock of the White Face Black Spanish and White Crested Black Polish varieties. In this business, he has succeeded even beyond his expectations, becoming known throughout the length and breadth of the country as a breeder of fine chickens, while his word is considered authority along the line of his specialty. His ship- ments of poultry and eggs extend to every part of the United States and to Mexico and are proving a source of most gratifying profit to him.
On September 21, 1865, Mr. Huber was united in marriage to Miss Louise Steiner, who was born February 12, 1843, in Dayton, Ohio, and is a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Ullmer) Steiner. Her parents were both natives of Ger- many, the father's birth occurring in 1804, while the mother was born in 1817. They came to the United States in 1840 and were married about three months after their arrival in this country. They located in Dayton, where Mr. Steiner engaged in the pork packing business until his retirement from active life. They both passed away in Dayton, the father in 1874 and the mother in 1885, their remains being laid to rest at Fort McKinley, Montgomery county. They had both been members of the German Reformed church throughout their entire lives. Their three children still survive them, namely: Mrs. Peter Huber; Henry, who was born June 5, 1846; and Mary Ann, who was born on the 13th of August, 1850. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Huber has been blessed with five children. Henry, the eldest, was born May 19, 1866, and he is now living at home, engaged in the poultry business on his father's farm. Mary C. was born on the 7th of September, 1868 and is now the wife of Frank Troup. They reside in Kansas City, Missouri, and have one child, Helen Marie, born September 21, 1892. Lucy, the third in order of birth, was born June 3, 1870, and is now the widow of Charles Smiley, who passed away on the 13th of December, 1904, leav- ing his wife and one child, Earl, born June 19, 1892. Margaret, born October II,
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1871, married Harry Hershey and they now make their home in Columbus. Eliza- beth, the youngest of the family, who was born on the 30th of May, 1873, died March 3, 1884, when eleven years of age, her remains being laid to rest in Wood- ens Cemetery, Montgomery county.
Mr. and Mrs. Huber are both members of the German Reformed church and are consistent Christian people, who occupy an enviable place in the community in which they reside. Mr. Huber is a republican in politics, while fraternally, he is connected with the Odd Fellows. He possesses many sterling traits of char- acter that have gained for him a wide circle of friends during his residence in this community. His prominence has come to him as the result of close application, indefatigable energy and undaunted perseverance, which characteristics have been the dominant features of his career.
FREDERICK CHARLES MERKLE.
Frederick Charles Merkle is the senior partner of the firm of F. C. Merkle & Company, manufacturers and importers of granite monuments, in which connec- tion he has won an enviable reputation. His business is now second to none in this part of the state and in fact his fame has spread abroad, bringing him an extensive patronage from many cities of Ohio. He was born in Wapakoneta, Ohio, April 24, 1851, and there lived to the age of fifteen years. The family is of German origin and the grandfather, John Merkle, was born in Wittenburg in 1790. Coming to America in 1855, he located in Wapakoneta, where he resided until his death in 1869, during which period he engaged in buying and selling hides and produce. His father, Maximillian Merkle, had lived and died in Wittenburg. The father, Charles Merkle, was born in Wittenburg, Ger- many, in 1816 and came to America in 1837, locating in Wapakoneta, Ohio, where for many years he made his home. In 1866, he removed to Dayton, where the succeeding twenty-seven years were passed and death then claimed him in 1893. He was married in Wapakoneta, in 1845, to Miss Anna E. Ketzenberger and unto them were born eight children, of whom four died in infancy, while an equal number reached years of maturity. These were as follows: John, who served on the police force of Dayton for thirty years, wearing badge No. 1, passed away in this city in 1906 at the age of fifty-eight years. He left a widow and four children: Edward J., Bertha, Henry and Albert. The other children of Charles Merkle who reached maturity are: Frederick C., of this review ; Charles F., a resident of Seattle, Washington ; and Joseph C., of Dayton. The mother of these children passed away in 1897 at the age of seventy-five years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Charles Merkle enjoyed in large measure the friendship and kindly regard of those who knew them, for they were people of the highest respectability.
Frederick Charles Merkle was a youth of fifteen years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from his native town to Dayton and here he com- pleted his education, supplementing his public-school course by study in the Miami Commercial College, from which he was graduated in 1870. He entered business life as an employe of the Dayton & Michigan Railroad Company in the
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office of the freight department in this city, where he remained for about four years. He then went to Waverly, Missouri, where he began trading in stock, his time being thus occupied for two years. On the expiration of that period he re- turned to Dayton and soon afterward entered the employ of Thomas Staniland, a marble dealer, with whom he remained from 1883 until 1895, during which period he became thoroughly familiar with the trade and at the end of that time felt that his long experience, as well as the capital which he had saved from his earnings, justified him in engaging in business on his own account. He therefore organized the firm of F. C. Merkle & Company and is now engaged in the manu- facture and importation of granite monuments and general cemetery work.
In 1907, he also organized the Georgetown (Ohio) Marble Company, of which he is a director. The prominent position which he occupies in his line is in- dicated in the extensive patronage which is accorded him. Many of the finest monuments in Dayton cemeteries have been put up by him and he has placed probably an equal number in the Cincinnati cemeteries, also in Miamisburg, Springfield, Middletown, Franklin and Georgetown, Ohio; Winchester, Mays- ville, Mount Sterling, Paris and Mayslick, Kentucky; Huntington, Richmond and Knightstown, Indiana ; and Champaign City, Illinois. In various other Ohio towns are seen the evidences of his handiwork and the output of his establishment is always tasteful, artistic and executed in the finest possible manner. He erected one monument in Calvary cemetery at a cost of ten thousand dollars and at New- port, Kentucky, erected the monument for the James Shaw estate, which is the second largest individual spire monument in the world.
On the 24th of March, 1874, Mr. Merkle was married in Dayton to Miss Eliza M. Pohlkotte, a daughter of George R. Pohlkotte, and unto this marriage have been born three children who are now living: John Henry; Anna M., the wife of Harry E. Albert ; and Edith Adell Merkle. Mr. Merkle has attained high rank in Masonry, having taken the degree of the Consistory and also of the Mystic Shrine. He belongs to Buckeye Lodge, No. 47, I. O. O. F., and to the German Lutheran church, while his political support is given to the republican party and in matters of citizenship, he manifests a progressive and helpful spirit, being in- terested in all that pertains to the progress and upbuilding of the city in which he has long made his home. He is a man of democratic spirit, easily approach- able, recognizing the good qualities in others, and his many substantial and com- mendable characteristics have gained him a firm hold on the warm regard of those with whom he comes in contact.
WILLIAM J. REYH.
William J. Reyh, who is successfully and extensively engaged in the dairy business in Mad River township, was born in Germany on the 15th of February, 1875, and when six years of age was brought to this country by his parents, Michael and Christina (Melebeck) Reyh, the family home being established in Montgomery county, Ohio. The paternal grandparents spent their entire lives in the fatherland. Michael Reyh, the father of our subject, acquired his education in
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Germany and after coming to this county became identified with dairy interests in Dayton, Ohio. His first wife passed away when their son, William J., was about ten years of age and subsequently he was again married, his second union being with Catharine Weng, by whom he had three children.
William J. Reyh attended the district schools of this county in the acquirement of an education and also worked on the farm when not busy with his text-books. Under the direction of his father he became familiar with the dairy business in principle and detail and has been connected with that line of activity throughout his entire business career. At one time he was in partnership with William Wag- ner but later purchased his interest and has since been the sole owner and pro- prietor of what is one of the largest and best dairies in the county. It is situated just outside the city of Dayton, about two miles from the court house, where is found the best pasture land in the state of Ohio. Mr. Reyh owns thirty-five good milch cows and markets the products of his dairy in Dayton, having one of the most extensive routes in the city. He employs several men to assist in the conduct of the business but personally attends to the sales. Beginning with absolutely noth- ing but his own willing hands and indomitable courage, he has made his way to suc- cess and prosperity and his record may well serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others.
Mr. Reyh has been twice married and by his first wife had a son, Herbert, now eight years of age. In 1907 he was united in marriage to Miss Marie Trupp. Fra- ternally he is identified with the Red Men, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. Having been a resident of this county since early childhood, he is well and favorably known within its borders, his many sterling traits of character having endeared him to those with whom he has come in contact. In the management of his business affairs he displays keen discern- ment and sound judgment and his life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor.
JAMES A. KIRK.
James A. Kirk was the promoter and is the proprietor of the Lakeside Park, a popular summer resort at Dayton. In this connection he has shown marked business ability and undaunted enterprise, having made a close study of public demands in this direction. He was born near Wilmington, Delaware, September 25, 1851, and is a son of Michael and Katherine Kirk, who came to the new world from Ireland. His education was acquired in the public schools and after put- ting aside his text-books he took up the trade of carriage-making, which he fol- lowed until 1869, when he came to Dayton. He has since been identified with the interests of this city although his business affairs have also carried him into other districts.
In 1876 he began to secure privileges at expositions for the manufacture of fine candies and for several years he conducted concessions at Chicago, Mil- waukee and various other places. Constant association with those catering to the amusement-seeking public gave him a valuable experience and he conceived
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the idea of creating the first amusement park for Dayton. That his labors have been very successful is seen by all who are familiar with the history of the city. He established a summer resort at the main entrance of the Soldiers' Home, spar- ing neither time nor expense in the transformation of these grounds into a most beautiful district, utilizing the aid of the landscape gardener and the electrician. The park is visited annually by a half million of people and its popularity is in- creasing as the years go by. That it has grown to be the objective point for all visiting excursions is due to the fact that the management has kept abreast of the times in providing first-class attractions. He makes a close study of wholesome amusements and supplies them regardless of expense. He keeps in touch with everything that is brought out for the entertainment of the public and many rare and novel attractions are found at this place. The strictest attention is paid to orderliness and only high-class attractions are offered.
Mr. Kirk was married in 1874 to Miss Anna Wiles, a daughter of Samuel and Christina Wiles, of Dayton. Their handsome home is at the west entrance of Lakeside Park and its hospitality is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kirk have long been known in this city, his residence covering forty years. He is a man of excellent business ability, displaying prescience in all of his business affairs and enterprise and energy have long been numbered among his sterling characteristics.
GEORGE W. SMITH.
Although George W. Smith has already passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he is yet an active factor in the business life of the community in which he resides, owning and operating a fine farm in Wayne township. For many years before he took up agricultural pursuits, he was closely identified with the industrial interests of his native county and became recognized as an enterprising, progressive and successful business man.
Born in Mad River township, Montgomery county, on the 3d of October, 1836, he is a son of Edward and Mary (Lanpher) Smith. His father, who was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1803, was there reared and educated. He came to the United States in 1832, making his way direct to Montgomery county, Ohio, where he began working at fifty cents per day. He was truly a self-made man, working his way upward from that humble position until. at the time of his death, he was the owner of an enormous business. His success was honorably won for he based his operations upon the principle that honesty is the best policy, and never was he known to break a contract, even if by so doing he could make double the amount of money. His wife was born in Ohio, near Chillicothe in 1813 and was the daughter of a minister who also followed the occupation of farming. She married Edward Smith in 1834 and passed away in 1888, while her husband's demise occurred in 1878. They were laid to rest in Woodland cemetery. In their family were eleven children, namely: Thomas, born November 1, 1834; George W., of this review ; Charlotte, deceased, who was born in 1838; Mary J., also de- ceased, who was born in 1842; James, who contracted heart disease while serv-
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ing in the Civil war as a member of Company C, First Ohio Infantry and died in 1865, shortly after returning home; William H., who passed away in infancy ; William H., II, who died at the age of twenty-four years; Charles and Charles II, both of whom passed away in infancy ; Edward; and Emma. Of this family Edward, Emma, Thomas and George still survive.
George W. Smith attended the common schools of his native county in the acquirement of his early education and later supplemented this by a course of study in Dayton and Urbana. After leaving school, he became identified with his father in the distillery business and later, for about three years, was connected with the oil and flour business at Tippecanoe City. Returning to Montgomery county, he was again associated with his father in the distillery, which relation- ship continued until his father's retirement from active life several years prior to his death, when George W. Smith conducted the business in connection with his brother Edward for a number of years. Throughout his connection with the distillery business George W. Smith displayed keen business ability, basing his operations upon the policy which his father had instituted before him. As the years passed, he became very successful, his industry and enterprise re- turning a handsome competence, and he at length decided to withdraw from the strenuous duties of business life. His parents deeded him a farm near Xenia, 1871, in Wayne township, consisting of two hundred and two and seventy-seven hundredths acres of fine land, and upon this place, which he rents to a tenant, he has since continued to reside. He makes a specialty of raising corn and this season he will have one hundred and twenty-five or one hundred and thirty acres of that grain. Exercising the same good management and business ability as characterized his connection with industrial interests, his farm is operated along strictly up-to-date and modern methods and it is a paving and highly profitable proposition.
On the 10th of November, 1864, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Ann Catharine Harbine, a daughter of John and Hettie (Herr) Harbine, her birth occurring in June, 1840. Her father was a well known distiller of Green county, Ohio, and was a very wealthy and influential man in the community in which he resided. He and his wife are both now deceased, their remains being interred in the cemetery at Xenia, Ohio. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Smith was blessed with three children, as follows: Hettie Gertrude, the eldest, was born August 9, 1865, and on the 27th of June, 1889, gave her hand in marriage to Leo M. Flesh, of Piqua, Ohio. They had four children, Alfred Lewis, Henry, George H. and Gertrude, but Henry passed away at the age of twelve years and was buried at Piqua. Mr. Flesh is a wealthy and influential man of that city and is interested in various lines of business conducting a clothing store and under- wear factory, while he is also a large stockholder in the telephone company. The second in order of birth was John Edward, who was born on the 29th of March, 1867, and died August 9, 1868, being buried in Woodland cemetery. The young- est, Mary Alma, born September 16, 1868, has also passed away, her death oc- curring on the 25th of April, 1869, her remains being laid to rest at Woodland.
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