The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 112

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214

USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county > Part 112

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

CHARLES BURROUGHS, retired, Dayton. He is an old, retired lumber me chant of the city of Dayton. He is a son of Joseph and Mima ( Hendrickson) Bu roughs, and was born July 22, 1810, near Trenton, N. J., where he lived until twent three years old ; and, in 1833, moved to Dayton, Ohio, and engaged with Mr. Dav Zigler Cooper to work on the saw-mill, and, at the death of Mr. Cooper, rented the m and ran it until 1846, when he gave it up and engaged in the lumber trade, which 1 carried on quite extensively until 1871, when he sold out and retired from busine: He landed in Dayton with $2.50, with which he began business, and with willing hanc a good character, and an indomitable will, he pushed ahead until he acquired sufficie amount of wealth to meet his every want in his old age. His father died when Charl was but ten years old. After working some five years on a farm, he worked at shc making until he started for Ohio. He was Vice President of the Dayton Savings' Bal two years ; is still one of the stockholders of said bank. Mr. B. is pleasantly located No. 409 East Fifth street. He is the only one of his father's family that ever car West, except a brother that resided a short time in Dayton, Ohio, and then returned New Jersey.

ROBERT YOUNG CHAMBERS, deceased, was born in Parish Kyle, Quee County, Ireland, May 8, 1808. At the age of twenty-two years, he left home via Du lin for Liverpool, from which point he sailed for America on May 14, 1830, in the sh William and John, of West Florida. He landed in New York July 7, 1830, and start at once for the West, stopping first at Braddock's Field, Penn., where he remained f a short time, but was induced to go on to Cineinnati, where he arrived December 1830. He did not stop at Cincinnati, but pushed on by stage to Dayton, where he : rived on the 9th of December, 1830. He first obtained employment as foreman in t pork packing establishment of Davie. In this eapacity he continued until he to! command of the canal-boat Messenger for the same firm, which then occupied the soul west corner of the canal basin. He remained in their employ until their failure, wh he obtained a similar position of one Ritchic. About this time, June 8, 1836, he w married in St. Peter's Church, Cincinnati, to Miss Eliza Mullin, of Cincinnati, forme. of County Antrim, Ireland. In 1838, he removed with his family to Dayton, where accepted a position with the late Alexander Simms in the groeery firm of Simms Sayres, in which he soon obtained an interest, and continued the business under the fi name of Chambers, Simms & Sayres. He afterward, by a succession of changes, beear in 1845, the senior member of the firm of Chambers & Harris, with Mr. John Har They purchased at the same time the competition business of Esterbrook & Phelps, w. had purchased the established business of Reach, Endie & Co. Chambers & Har then controlled two of the largest commission houses in Dayton for eleven years, at expiration of which time they dissolved their partnership relations, and Mr. Chamb built the building known to old residents as the " factory," and established " Chambe Line," an independent line of canal packets running from Cincinnati to Toledo. Abo this time, he suffered a loss by fire, which consumed his building, but he built again the old site what is known as Chambers' Warehouse. His business began to assu large proportions, and his boats became such a sourec of anxiety to the Sandusky R road Company (the first road herc), that they made repcated proposals to buy them, their offers were refused, and he eontinued in his ever-inercasing business until his tirement in 1873, after nearly half a century spent in the most active business. left his business to his son, John M., and Mr. M. W. Chambers, and paid a visit to haunts of his childhood in his native land, only to find his friends and relatives go He died in May, 1876, aged just sixty-eight years, leaving a host of mourning frier behind. His life, spent in honest activity, was not sullied by a single stain. He wa consistent communicant of the Catholic Church, but his charities extended to all deno inations. At his death, his family of nine children had dwindled to five-one son, w died in 1879, and four daughters, who still oeeupy the old homestead on East Seec street.

CHARLES EDWIN CLARK, son of David and Hannah (Halderman) Cla was born in the old county jail ( Dayton), July 31, 1850, during his father's seed

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erm of Sheriff of the county. His father was afterward County Treasurer for two erms and for five years just previous to the war the editor and proprietor of the Daily nd Weekly Empire. The later years of David Clark's life were fraught with many orrows and cares. Through misfortunes, which are familiar to the old friends of the mily, he had been reduced from comparative affluence to the position of hard toil for le support of his family. To save those who had trusted him from financial loss, avid Clark and his devoted wife gave up the snug fortune they possessed to the last ollar, and bravely began anew the struggle for means to educate their children.

Charles, though at that time but a mere boy, contributed not a little towards the mily's support. He was always ready to turn an honest penny by work at anything. ach year his school vacation and oftentimes his spare evenings for study were spent , the hard work of a young clerk in an ice cream saloon and confectionery, toiling six- en or seventeen hours a day during the hot months of the year, whilst his school- ates were enjoying their vacation as only school boys can enjoy such freedom. Young lark never murmured-he was only too glad to be able to ease, though in a small gree, the burdens of the father he idolized.

Mr. Clark received a common school education. The death of his father com- lled him to withdraw from the high school, where he had been a student for about le year, to aid his mother in the support of his brothers and sister. Mr. N. Ohmer uve him his first regular employment in his Union Depot Restaurant, where he mained some years. In May, 1871, he entered the employ of Maj. W. D. Bickham, itor and proprietor of the Daily Journal, as office-boy, where he soon worked his way up book-keeper. In the spring of 1873, he accepted the position of business manager of the aily and Weekly Kentuckian, Paducah, Ky., in which city he resided for some months. eturning to Dayton he was married to Miss Maria Dee Trucsdell, a teacher in the ayton Public Schools, and a few weeks later again entered the employ of Maj. Bick- .m, as business manager of the Dayton Journal, a position he has uninterruptedly hield to is day. Mr. Clark, though a stanch Republican, has not meddled much in politics. e has held but one political office, that of City Councilman, for one term. In April, '79, he was the unanimous nominee of his party for Councilman from the old Fifth ard. Although the ward was something like 100 votes politically opposed to Mr. ark, he was elected after a short but hot contest by a majority of twenty-one votes er his Democratic opponent, Mr. T. C. Dobbins, a prominent hardware merchant. e made a faithful and a conscientious Councilman. During his entire term of two ars he was absent from but one meeting of the Council, and that was occasioned by e death of a near and dear friend-a brother Councilman.

It was mainly through Mr. Clark's plucky efforts that the " Sunday ordinance" came a law of the city. He also energetically labored by arguments and all fair ans to have the " Ordinance to restrain animals from running at large within the y limits" adopted. These measures met with the vehement opposition of many izens and dire were the threats of political annihilation to all who had a hand in iking such laws. To such threats Mr. Clark once made answer : " I am sorry to ve your ill will. I believe you are honest in your opposition to me, but your threats not dismay me, nor shall they deter me from doing my duty as I conscientiously derstand it." Mr. Clark's term of Councilman expired in the spring of 1881, and peremptorily declined to be a candidate for re-election. Two brothers of Mr. Clark, eut. R. G. Clark, Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and William V. Clark, ghty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, died the death of soldiers in the Union army, bring the war. His mother still resides in the family residence, which has been her me for thirty years. He has three living brothers and two sisters, viz. : George R. ark, proprietor of the Port Clinton (Ohio) News ; David P. Clark, of Miamisburg, bio ; Douglas Clark, of Pittsburgh, Penn .; Mrs. F. M. Althoff and Miss Lottic E. ark, Dayton.

JOSEPH CLEGG, director in gas company, Dayton, was born in England April 8, 14. His father, Thomas Clegg, was born in or near Manchester, Eng., in the year 1790, ed after receiving, through his own exertions, a liberal education, engaged in the

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manufacture of cotton goods, having learned the weaving of silk when but a boy He was married, in 1810, to Miss Ann Brierly, who died in 1817. In the year follow- ing the death of his wife, he, with four sons, of whom our subject was third in the order of birth, came to America, and in 1820 located in Montgomery County, Ohio. In 1824, he came to Dayton, which was then but a village of 1,100 inhabitants, where the remainder of his life was mostly spent. Here he started an establishment for the manufacture of cotton goods, which soon proved to be a prosperous and paying busi- ness, he keeping pacc in success with the rapid growth of the village. Mr. Clegg con. tinued an active, enterprising and substantial citizen of Dayton until 1850, when be made an overland trip to California, being one of the first to adopt that route. After a stay of ten years in the Golden State, he returned to Dayton, but in after years made repeated trips to the same State. The last twenty years of his life were spent in Day ton, his time being devoted mostly to intellectual pursuits, of which he was very fond He died in 1879, having reached the ripc old age of fourscore and nine years, anc leaving behind him a record of a life well spent and of talents well employed. Of the four sons who accompanied him from England, only two survive, viz., James B. and Joseph, the latter being the subject of this sketch. He has been almost a life-long citizen of Montgomery County. His cducation was mainly obtained at night an Sunday schools, and entirely through his untiring zeal in the pursuit of knowledge His early life was spent in the factories of his father. Being of an enterprising spirit he has risen to the rank of the most substantial citizens of Dayton. He has accumu lated a large amount of property, which to-day dots the city in all directions, standing as monuments of his successful career and shrew } business tact. One of his first en terprises was the erection of a cotton factory and linseed oil mill. About this time, h associated himself with the late Daniel Beckel and the late William Dickey in th organization of the Farmers' Bank, which has long since ceased to exist. In 1851 these same gentlemen organized the Dayton Fire Insurance Company, which is now well-known and successful corporation. They afterward organized the Mad Rivel Valley Bank. Still later, Mr. Clegg became prominently associated with the Dayto Gaslight and Coke Company, in which he has since been an active and valuable mem ber and for many years a Director. Among the edifices which decorate the city an are owned by him are the "Old Clegg Block," on East Third street, now known the Superior Court Building; the Jefferson Street Block, fronting 100 feet on the stree after which it was named, and another on Fifth street ; the last two named forming part of what is to be known as " Clegg's Opera Block," one of the finest and mos prominent private enterprises of the city. In addition to these, Mr. Clegg owns Clegg brown stone block on East Third street, and several fine residences, among them bein his own handsome home and the residence of the late Daniel Beckel, both located o South Jefferson street. He also possesses many minor buildings, which, though considerable value in themselves, are of too little importance to mention here. M. Clegg's identification with the enterprises of the city have tended to the elevation its social standing and the education of the rising generation. His political affiliation have ever been with the Whig and Republican parties, and during the war of the rebe lion his contributions, in aid of the Union cause, should alone warrant to him the high esteem of all. He has been for many years a member of the Episcopal Church, an was a valuable and efficient worker in the Sabbath school at an early day, and durir this time his benefices have been constant and generous. He was married, in 1835, Miss Tirzah Bailey, daughter of John Bailey, one of the first settlers of Montgomer County. The issue of this marriage consisted of three children, two of whom surviv viz., Mrs. V. H. Wood, a lady of high culture and rare social attainments and wife Capt. E. M. Wood, who is now largely engaged in manufacturing linseed oil, as tl senior member of the firm of Wood, Archer & Co., of this city. The other survivir child is Charles B. Clegg, who, with Capt. Wood, was associated with his father business; but upon the latter retiring, Charles and M. Wood continued the busines in connection with Messrs. W. S. and G. A. Archer, under the then firm title of Cleg Wood & Co. Charles B. has recently withdrawn from his active position in the fir

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r recreation. He is President of and a large stockholder in the Oakwood Street railway, to which enterprise he has devoted much of his time. He is also largely terested in and connected with the management of the other street railways of the ty, being a Director of the Third Street route. He has not yet reached the meridian " life, but, though comparatively young, we may safely predict that his future will illy satisfy cvery reasonable hope of his many friends. His marriage was celebrated 1865, with Miss Hattie, daughter of the late Horace Pease, who was a well-known id highly respected citizen of Dayton. Their united life existed throughout a period five years, when death called her home, leaving a husband and two children-Helen /. and Harry P.

REV. H. F. COLBY, pastor first Baptist Church, Dayton. The gentleman hose name heads this sketch was born in Boston Highlands, Massachusetts, in 1842. 'e is the son of Gardner Colby a merchant of Boston. Most of his early days were ent in Newton, Mass. He graduated from Brown University, Providence, R. I., in 362. After studying law for some months and spending nearly a year in Europe, he ok a full course of study in the Newton Theological Institution, from which he gradu- ed in 1867. In the fall of the same year, he came to Dayton, Ohio, and was ordained the ministry and became pastor of the First Baptist Church. In this position he is continued fourteen years and has been settled longer in Dayton as a pastor than y other of the ministers in the city. In 1870, he was married to Miss M. L. Cham- rlain, daughter of Edward Chamberlain, Esq., of Boston. He has four children, e daughter and three sons.

EDWARD CONWAY, dentist, Dayton. This gentleman was born in Annapolis, d., in 1829, and came to Ohio with his parents three years later. While still in his outh, he took a position in one of the principal dry goods houses in St. Louis, Mo., a salesman in the fancy goods department, where he proved himself highly compe- nt, but, being desirous of acquiring a profession, he returned to this State, and at neteen years of age placed himself under the instruction of an able dentist and physi- an. Having completed his studies, he again placed himself under the instruction of r. Jones, now deceased, who was one of Dayton's most skilled dentists and respected tizens. The sole object of Dr. Conway in this his second course of study, was to tain a thorough knowledge of the various metals best adapted to the use of dentist- Dr. Jones being an expert in that branch of business, having given it a life-long udy. For two years, Dr. Conway pursued his studies without one cent of remunera- on. He practiced with marked success in Bellefontainetwo years ; during this time r. McCandes was his medical preceptor. Here he acquired a practical knowledge of edieine and became quite an expert as a practitioner. Being a skilled physician in all s branches, he has given many years of study to dentistry in all its details, making the alyzation of the various metals a special study in order to ascertain the kind of met- s best adapted for his use. This is one of the great secrets of dentistry, as many a tient's health is ruined on account of injury from metals and other materials not apted to the mouth or condition of the stoma ch. The Doctor never uses rubber on this count; nor does he use metals but that which the test of science and long practice has oved to be safe under every circumstance. Gold, silver and platina he recommends ad uses in his practice daily. He also uses "virgin" metal-a combination of his own- hich he considers equal if not superior to any in use. The doctor has made many provements in connection with dentistry that are sanctioned and recognized by the ading dentists of the country.

WILLIAM E. CRUME, manufacturer, Dayton. This gentleman is a descendant an old Welsh family that emigrated to America and located in Maryland about the ar 1768. His paternal great-grandfathers, Jesse Crume and Matthew Richardson, me from Maryland to Butler County, Ohio, in 1802. Mr. Crume shortly afterward oved to Kentucky. Mr. Richardson served the terms of 1804 and 1806 in the Ohio egislature. The great-grandfathers in the maternal line were James Martin, a native Maryland, and David Steele, a native of Ireland. The paternal grandparents were hn C. Crume, who came from Kentucky to Hamilton, Butler Co., Ohio, in 1810, and

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returning to Kentucky, died in 1815; and Sarah Richardson, of Maryland, who came to Butler County with her parents in 1803. The maternal grandparents were David Steele, a native of Scotland, and Nancy A. (Martin) Steele, a native of Ireland. The father was born in Butler County, Ohio, and in this State where he married Nancy Steele, he lived during the whole of his life. William E., the subject hereof, was born in Collinsville, Butler Co., Ohio, March 26, 1848, and remained there until 1858, when he moved with his father to Muscatine, Iowa, where they remained two years, and then removed to Somerville, Butler Co., Ohio. May 1, 1864, William enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being then but sixteen years of age. He was mustered out in September, 1864, and, on the 2d of February following, he re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from which he was mustered at Nashville, Tenn., October 3, 1865. After the war, he re- turned to Ohio, and, in September, 1866, eame to Dayton, where he learned the trade of carpentering and building with Mr. Andrew Slertz. He worked at his trade until Feb. ruary, 1874, when he started a box-factory ; but, finding this only a local business, lie. in 1877, originated his present business, which he eondueted in connection with the box- manufacture. The new enterprise grew so rapidly that he was obliged to dispose of the box-factory and devote his entire attention and capital to the new departure. He soon associated with him the late Mr. P. M. Aulabaugh, and afterward Mr. J. W. Sefton under the firm name of Aulabaugh, Crume & Co., but, on the death of Mr. Aulabaugh the remaining partners purchased his interest, and now conduct their business under the name of " The Crume & Sefton Manufacturing Company." They supply a large por- tion of the country with their curious little paper and wood plates for groeers, oyster anc berry pails, and folding ice cream and eandy boxes. Their business, which is an exten- sive one, is treated of properly in our industrial chapter of the eity of Dayton. Mr Crume was elected a member of the Council in April, 1877; was re-elected in April 1880, and eleeted Vice President of the Board in April, 1881.

ISAAC DAVIS, eoal dealer, Dayton, was born in Bellebrook, Grecne Co., Ohio September 15, 1839. His father, Jonathan Davis, who was an Elder in the Central Chris tian Church of Dayton, was born in Delaware State July 15, 1808, and settled in Belie brook in 1830, where he started life as a poor farm boy. December 12, 1830, he mar ried Anoxa Sivalla Silvers, who was born in Greene County, August 19, 1812, by whom he had four children, all girls. Shedied on April 15, 1838, and on July 25, 1838, he married Sarah Ann Darst, who was born in Greene County November 17, 1814, and who blest hin with seven sons and one daughter. He died September 3, 1875, leaving his wife and ter children and twenty-two grandchildren. His wife died July 9, 1880. Isaae, our subject who was of the issue of the second marriage, eame to Dayton in 1864, and was followed by his father two years after. He was educated in the common schools, after which he attended the National Normal University of Lebanon, Ohio, to prepare himself fo teaching, and after teaching one year in Greene County, he went to Cincinnati, where h attended the Medical Institute of Cincinnati. He then read medicine with Dr. Curtis of Cineinnati, for two years, after which he came to Dayton, and, giving up his pro fession, went into the tobacco business with Mr. Cotterill now of Cotterill, Fenner & Cd He afterward closed up his tobaceo business and commenced dealing in eoal, in whic business he has since continued. He was married, December 24, 1867, to Miss Carolin E. Houghtelin of Dayton, who, after bearing him three sons, died August 25, 1879, wit what the doctors pronounced yellow fever. Mr. Davis is a man of integrity and grea business taet, is well known in the community and has the respect and esteem of all.

SOLOMON DAY, school teacher, Dayton. The subject of the following skete was born November 24, 1841, near Jancsfield, ir. Jefferson Township, Logan Co., Ohi His father, after whom he was named, was born near Cross Keys, South Hampton Co Va., about the year 1790. By the fortunate accident of having sprung-C his mother's side-from one of the F. F. V.'s- though his father was a negro slave- he was "free born." Ann Barnell, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was bor near Little York, Penn., in the year 1801, and was of Quaker origin, her motł er Ann Packer, belonging to the numerous Paeker family of Quakers which has fig

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ired so largely in the past history of that State. "Young Solomon," at the age of nine, was crippled with white swelling. His father dying soon after, he was left to be reared oy his mother, who, with a large family of children to support, and with but scanty neans, could do but little to assist him in obtaining an education, though feeling deep- y solicitions for him in that direction. For three years he was confined to the house ›y his lameness ; after that, until he was seventeen years old, his only educational ad- vantages was attending an obscure country school during the winter. By dint of hard study both in and out of school, he managed, at the age of seventeen, to obtain certificate to teach school from the Board of Examiners of his native county, and after teaching a five months' term, obtained the money to pay his board and tuition at Oberlin College one quarter. He attended that college irreguarly from 1859 to 1865, caching a portion of the time in various parts of the State to procure the means to go o school. In 1870, he came to Dayton to take charge of the colored school, suc- eeding Mr. Samnel Peters, who had resigned his position to accept an appointment s cashier of the Freedman's Bank at Shreveport, La. He has had charge of that chool for nearly ten years, and with excellent resul s, many of his pupils now occupy- ng important positions as teachers, and some filling clerical positions in Government mploy. Mr. Day has long been identified with the educational interests of his people, nd for a number of years has taken an active part in politics, and is a firm believer in the possibilities of his race for achievements equal in every partieular to the various races which go to make up the great American Nation.

WILLIAM DEIKLER, dealer in agricul ural implements, Dayton, son of Se- astian and Mary Ann Deikler, was born February 9, 1835, in Navre, Germany. Emigrated to America, with his parents, in 1843, and located in Butler County, Ohio, There he remained until 1851, when he removed to Montgomery County, Ohio, and urchased a farm in Perry Township. His father was a shoemaker by trade, and arried on the same until his death He died in May, 1866. His mother died in Iay, 1880. William served an apprenticeship with his father at the shoe trade, but as devoted the most of his time to farming. He was married October 22, 1867, to Iiss Margaret Fisher, daughter of Christopher and Elizabeth M. Fisher. They have five hildren-Mary C., Annie, Joseph, Laura M. and Margaret E. In 1880, Mr. Deikler engaged in the agricultural implement trade, under the firm name of William Deikler & Vo., at No. 210 East Third street, Dayton, where they keep a full line of all first class nd the best improved farm machinery. Also a complete assortment of fresh seeds.

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 112

Author: W.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1214

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214