Dayton City (part 22 of 50)

In April, 1881, Capt. Crooks enlisted for five years in company F, Fifteenth U. S. infantry, of which he was made first sergeant, and proceeded 'at once to Columbus, Ohio, thence joined his command later at Santa Fe, N. M., from which place the regiment was used in operating against the hostile Indians in the southwest. Three months of 1881 were spent in active warfare with the Indians under chief Victoria, whose band was driven across the Rio Grande into Mexico, and later Capt. Crooks' company was transferred to Fort Lewis, Colo. , thence to Forts Abe Lincoln and Stevenson, Dak.

Buford, Dak. He saw over twenty years of service while in the regular army, shirked no duty, however onerous, and shrank from none of the many perils through which he was called to pass. For years he was exposed to almost constant dangers, and his escapes from the Indians upon many occasions were narrow and thrilling. At one time, with eighteen comrades, he was surrounded by the Indians, and for six days this intrepid little band kept up an unequal contest with 500 savages, being rescued, after untold sufferings and the loss of several men, by a detachment of U. S. troops from Fort Stevenson. Many other adventures could be narrated, and his army experience, if written in full, would be replete with romantic interest.

After his last discharge, Capt. Crooks went to Detroit, Mich., where he spent one year at different occupations, and then accepted a position on the city police force, which, however, he was soon compelled to resign on account of disabilities incurred while in the army. During the succeeding two years, he represented a wholesale house as a commercial traveler, but this, too, he was forced to give up by reason of his enfeebled condition. He then became an inmate of the National Home for Disabled Volunteers at Dayton, his admission to the institution dating in September, 1892. During the greater part of 1893, he was sergeant of the Columbian guards at the world's fair, and since December of that year has been captain, first of company Twelve, which he commanded until July 20, 1894, when he was transferred to company Twenty, which he now commands.

Capt. Crooks is an active member of the G. A. R. , a republican in politics, and was reared in the faith of the Episcopal church. In 1876 he was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Bowman, of Detroit, Mich., who bore him two children, Sadie and Daisy, the former aHARLES W. DALE, judge of the police court of Dayton, and one of the widely-known members of the Dayton bar, was born in Germantown, Ohio, on September 13, 1862. By working during the summer seasons he was enabled to attend school in the winter months, during his boyhood days, and at the age of seventeen years he was graduated from the high school of his native town. For a period of five years Judge Dale taught in the public schools of Germantown and Ellerton, this county, and then attended the law school and university of Cincinnati, graduating from that institution in 1883. Locating in Dayton, he began the practice of his profession and so continued until his election to the bench. During the term of office of Mayor Crawford, Judge Dale served as his clerk. In March, 1892, he was nominated by the republicans as candidate for police judge, and he was elected over a strong competitor in the person of the democratic candidate - Hon. J. E. D. Ward, then mayor of the city. He has continued on the bench ever since, giving entire satisfaction to the public, and discharging the duties of his office with ability and judgment. Judge Dale has written extensively for some of the leading periodicals, and is the author and compiler of Familiar Laws.

EWIS DANCYGER, senior member of the dry-goods firm of L. Dancyger & Son, of Dayton, Ohio, was born in Poland in 1831. In order to avoid impressment into the Russian army he left his native land and went to England. In 1856 he, with his wife and two children, came to the United States and first located at New Brighton, Pa., where he opened a general store and remained about five years, and then removed to Noblesville, Ind., and for three years was there a leading merchant and banker. For two and a half years he was engaged in mercantile and real-estate enterprises in Indianapolis, Ind., and in 1865 came to Dayton, Ohio, opened a dry-goods store on the corner of Third and Jefferson streets, and, after twenty years, moved to the Balsley building, where he carried on business for seven years. On February 9, 1887, he lost the companion of his life, who had borne him two children - Simon and Isaac.

Simon Dancyger, at present connected with his father in his extensive business, was born in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, and came to America with his parents in infancy. He received a fair education and at the age of fifteen years entered his father's store as cashboy, and at twenty years became buyer for the concern. He is of an inventive turn of mind, and his little leisure time he has devoted to the invention of labor-saving devices, chiefly for the use of merchants - such as marking tags, pins, and other contrivances - now holding nine patents granted by the United States government and several issued by the English and German governments. These articles are now being sold all over the Union by traveling salesmen and are coming into general use. For the manufacture of these specialties he has recently erected a handsome three-story brick building on Saint Mary street, running back to Clegg street, and will give employment to forty or fifty persons.

Isaac Dancyger, the youngest son of Lewis Dancyger and wife, when a lad of six years was killed by a runaway team in Indianapolis, Ind., where his remains were interred.

member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen; he is a stockholder in the City National bank, has erected several fine residences in Dayton, and has otherwise contributed to make the city what it is to-day. He is a member of the synagogue on Jefferson street, and lives in strict conformity with the teachings of the faith in which he was reared. Simon Dancyger, in his religious views, is quite liberal. Both father and son are stanch republicans in their politics, but simply act as quiet voters in support of their p>arty.

Lewis Dancyger has been remarkably successful as a business man, the nucleus of his present fortune having been which he borrowed from his brother in England. How he handled that small sum may easily be imagined. That he has been prudent and conservative is evidenced by the fact that he has passed safely through all the financial crises that have occurred since he started business in America, without suspending even for one day. His son Simon deserves equal credit for the usefulness and ingenuity of the inventions suggested to him by the demands of his daily occupations.

OSEPH LIGHT, superintendent of the Dayton Gas Light & Coke company, was born in London, England, June 16, 1833. His parents, George and Ann (Rutherford) Light, were natives of England, and were the parents of twelve children, only two of whom are now living, viz: Mary Ann,

George Light, the father of Joseph, was a brick mason by trade, an Episcopalian in religion, and died in London when 'seventy -six years of age, in 1852. His wife, who was a Congregationalist in religion, died in 1866, aged sixty-five years.

The paternal grandfather was also a native of England, and lived in that country all his life, dying at the age of 101 years. The maternal grandfather, John Rutherford, was a native of Scotland, and died in the land of his birth.

Joseph Light was reared and educated in London, and when twelve years of age began to learn the manufacture of gas machinery and the art of ship building, in that city. These occupations he followed with energy and interest until he was eighteen years of age, and then came to the United States. In Cincinnati he was engaged in the manufacture of gas for three years, and, in 1855, removed to Dayton, where he took charge of the Dayton Gas Light & Coke company's works as superintendent, which position he has held ever since, a period of forty-two years. Mr. Light is interested in the firm of G. J. Roberts & Co. , manufacturers of steam pumps and general machinery. He is also president of the Piqua Gas Works company, and is superintendent of the Urbana Gas works.

Mr. Light was married in November, 1854, to Miss Catherine Lee, daughter of Richard Lee, of Cincinnati, the maiden name of whose wife was McGee. To this marriage there have been born six children, three sons and three daughters, as follows: Catherine, George,

Jennie, Joseph E., Ella F., and Edward H. George married Miss Lida Ferguson. He is assistant superintendent of the Gas Light & Coke company. Jennie married Charles De- Armon, of Piqua, Ohio, and has three children, Joseph Eugene, Catherine, and Charles Rutherford. Mrs. Catherine Light died in 1874. She was an excellent woman, and a member of the Presbyterian church. At her death she was mourned by many friends as well as by her relatives, as one whose place it would be difficult to fill.

April 7, 1880, to Miss Elizabeth Westwood, daughter of John C. and Susannah Westwood, by whom he has had no children. Mr. and Mrs. Light are members of the Park Presbyterian church, which was organized in 1851. Mr. Light is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has had conferred upon him the thirty-second degree. He is an Odd Fellow, and was a charter member of Miami lodge, No. 32, Knights of Pythias, and is also a Knight of Honor. Politically, Mr. Light is an earnest republican.

Mr. Light's connection of over forty years with the gaslight and coke company has made his name familiar throughout the community, and he is not only regarded in business circles as a man of strong native ability and judgment, but enjoys the sincere confidence and esteem of all Dayton's citizens. In the several departments of the gas company's plant over 100 men are employed, so that Mr. Light's position is one of great importance and responsibility.

In 1872, after being absent from his native country some twenty years, he made a threemonths' visit to his old home, this being the only time he has been away from Dayton for any considerable period. Mr. Light is a consistent member of his church, and an industrious and worthy citizen of the state in which he has lived for forty-five years.

APT. LORENZO N. DAVIS was born in the county of Wyoming, N. Y. , April 7, 1840. His father, Lorenzo D. Davis, also a native of the Empire state, was a man of local prominence in the community where he resided and for many years held positions of trust in Wellsville, where he owned and operated a manufacturing establishment. He was twice married, the first time to Mary Dodge, by whom he had two children, Daniel and Lorenzo N. ; his death occurred at Wellsville, N. Y., June, 1885, at the age of seventy-six years. Capt. Davis spent the years of early manhood in his native county, assisting on the home farm when not otherwise engaged, attending in the meantime the public schools, in which he obtained a knowledge of the common branches. At the breaking out of the late war he turned his back upon home and friends, and enlisted in company E, Fifth New York cavalry, known as the Harry Harris Guards, with which he served in the army of the Potomac under Gens. Hatch, Sheridan and Kilpatrick. He was engaged in the principal battles in which the army of the Potomac took part and was on the famous raid under Gen. Kilpatrick after the fight at Chancellorsville, when prisoners were taken inside the fortifications around Richmond. The list of battles in which his regiment was engaged is a long one, including Front Royal, Newtown Cross Road, Winchester, Orange C. H., Cedar Mountain, Waterloo Bridge, Groveton, second Bull Run, Chantilly, Hanover, Humberstown, Boonsboro, Culpeper C. H., Summerville Ford, James City, Brandy Station, Backland Mills, Raccoon Ford, defenses of Richmond, Parker's Store, Wilderness, Milford Station, Mount Carmel church, Ashland Station, Salem church, White Oak Swamp, Nottaway C. H., Round Oak Station, Mary Heights, Stony Creek, Ream's Station, Snicker's Ferry, Kernstown, Summit Point, Winchester, Milford, Surry Valley, Waynesboro, Tom's Brook and Cedar Creek, a total of forty-five battles and twelve minor engagements, in nearly all of which Capt. Davis was present and did effective service. He was taken prisoner while on picket duty at Fairfax Court House, January, 1863, but was paroled after a confinement of only twelve hours, after which he was taken to Annapolis, Md., where he remained until exchanged.

He rejoined his regiment after a threemonths' absence and continued in active service until honorably discharged at the close of the war, when he returned to his old home in New York. Subsequently he went to Michigan, where he was employed at various occupations for eight years, and in 1883 became an inmate of the national soldiers' home at Dayton, where he has been honored with official positions since September of the year following. In 1886 he was promoted captain and placed in command of company Twenty-five, a position of responsibility, which he still holds, and the duties of which he has discharged in an eminently satisfactory manner.

Capt. Davis was a gallant soldier, unflinching in the discharge of every duty in most trying situations, and earned his laurels on many battle fields. As an official he is popular alike with his superiors and with those under him, possesses executive ability of no mean order, and is one of the trusted guardians of the noble institution with which he is identified.

Capt. Davis never married. He was made an Odd Fellow while a resident of Michigan, and has since been an active and influential member of the fraternity; he is also a member of the Union Veteran Legion, a military organization. Politically, Capt. Davis has been a life-long republican; he was reared in the faith of the Baptish church, but, while believing in religion, is not identified with any church organization.

aLAIBORNE M. DAVIS, undertaker and funeral director, is a native of Clark county, Ohio, where he was born July 2, 1850. His parents were Hezekiah and Druzilla Davis, both natives of Ohio, and his paternal ancestors were Virginians of Scotch descent. Owing to the death of his parents, which occurred when he was quite young, Mr. Davis remembers but little of the family history, as he was reared among strangers. Like many young men who have been compelled to make their own way in the world without social prestige or monetary influence, Mr. Davis was denied in a great measure the educational advantages now considered essential to success in life, but he made up for the lack of opportunities in youth by diligent study after reaching the years of manhood. By close application, after his twenty-first year, he advanced sufficiently in his studies to obtain a teacher's license, after which his time was divided between teaching and attending school, working in the meanwhile as a farm hand, and thus adding to his earnings and enabling him to pursue a course in the Ohio Southern Normal school. He began teaching in 1870, and remained in the profession for a period of ten years, his work during that time being confined to a single township in his native county, which fact attests his ability as a successful instructor.

Severing his connection with educational work, Mr. Davis embarked in the undertaking and furniture business at Tippecanoe, Miami county, Ohio, where he carried on a remarkably successful trade for about seven years, at the end of which time, in the fall of 1887, he located in Dayton, where he has since operated an extensive undertaking business, his place, Nos. 1 105-7 East Fifth street, being one of the best known establishments of the kind in the city. Mr. Davis is familiar with every detail of his business, keeps fully abreast of the times in the matter of new features and improvements in the line of undertaking, and has the satisfaction of seeing his patronage increase year by year. He is a self-made man in all the term implies, is indebted to nobody but himself for financial assistance, and his life is a striking example of what can be done

Mr. Davis was happily married to Miss Ella Mock, of Clark county, Ohio, and is the father of two bright children, Oral E. and Mary Georgenia, both living. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Baptist church, belonging to the Linden avenue congregation, of which Mr. Davis has been a deacon for seven years; he is also a teacher in the Sundayschool. Politically he is a democrat and fraternally holds membership in the Gem City lodge, No. 795, I. O. O. F. ; Linden lodge, No. 412, K. of P., and Crown council, No. 35, of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, of which he has been treasurer since its organization in 1888.

OHN DAVY, residing at No. 679 South Main street, Dayton, is one of the army of capable railway postal clerks, who are so indispensable to the business of this country. His birthplace was Bowmanville, Ontario, where he was born February 28, 1840. While still very young, his father brought him to Dayton, his mother having died when he was but twenty-two months old. Here he grew to manhood, and received a common-school education, by which he has greatly profited. William Davy, his father, was of English extraction, and was a native of Cornwall, as was also his mother. He was a carpenter, and thoroughly trained his son John in this business. His death occurred in the house now occupied by his son, January 21, 1883, at the age of eighty-six years and seven months. He was an honest, hard-working man, and left his children the priceless legacy of a good name. Five of his family are now living, John being the youngest of twelve children. Two, Peter and Mrs. William Kelley, make their home in Kansas; Mary Ann is the wife of S. F. Bridges, and lives at Mason, Tex. ; Jane, the widow of the late James Viele, resides at Toronto, Canada; the other children, with one exception, died in infancy or childhood.

John Davy, as noted above, worked at the carpenter business until in the early 'sixties, when he enlistedjune 12, 1861, in Dayton, as a member of company A, Eleventh Ohio volunteer infantry, serving over three years. He was in the army of Gen. McClellan during the Maryland campaign, and participated in the battles of South Mountain, Frederick and Antietam. Later, his regiment was sent into West Virginia, where it was attached to the command of Gen. J. D. Cox, afterward governor of Ohio. His regiment, moving to the West, was made a part of the famous Fourteenth army corps, took part in the battle of Chickamauga, and was an important portion of Turchin's brigade, and Reynold's division. "Old Pap" Thomas was in command, and never was a more desperate battle more gamely fought. The gallant Eleventh Ohio was at Missionary Ridge, and did its full share of fighting in the great battles around Resaca, Ga., that opened up the way to central Georgia and to the great ocean beyond. And down this wonderful way went the irresistible army of Gen. Sherman, breaking the Confederacy in two, and hastening the final collapse of treason. In these scenes and experiences John Davy bore a brave soldier's part, and never shirked his duty, nor failed at the hour of danger. After the stormy days that preceded Resaca, the garrison duty at that point, to which his regiment was assigned, seemed very tame and monotonous. But it was all a part of a soldier's life. The regiment continued here at garrison duty until June, 1864, when it was ordered to return to Camp Dennison, where it was mustered out of service on the 2 ist of the month. It is one of the standing wonders of our history, that this great host of warriors, more than a million men in all, could be returned suddenly to peaceful life, and be swallowed up in the great ocean of arts and industries of the nation. But the million men were like our subject, not mercenary soldiers of fortune, but citizens taking up arms for the safety of the nation. And when that was assured, they were all glad to return quickly and quietly to the trades and professions they had before followed.

Mr. Davy, now a veteran soldier, came back to Dayton, and resumed the carpenter work that he had put by for the sake of his country, and no doubt followed it all the more effectively for his military experience. He continued at the carpenter's bench until May, 1868, when he accepted a position on the Dayton police force. He was a model police officer for some fourteen years, serving successively as patrolman, roundsman, sergeant and lieutenant, and making a fine record for careful attention to duty. The seventh day of November, 1881, he resigned from the force, and resumed his trade as a carpenter, which he followed until 1885. In this year he was appointed to the railway mail service, and was a vigilant and successful postal clerk, until his suspension in May, 1889, for politicial reasons. On personal inquiry of high officials, he was informed that there were no charges of any kind touching his personal character or his efficiency in the service, and was explicitly assured that the only reasons for his removal were political. He regarded his suspension from the service as only temporary, and during the greater part of this time he was superintendent of the Dayton court house. He was reinstated in the railway mail service under the civil service rules, though he was reappointed without an examination, the time of his return to duty being May 7, 1895. His run is between Delphos and Dayton, making the round trip daily, " week on and week off."

Mr. Davy was married January 1, 1867, to Miss Kate M. Paullus, a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, and to them there have been born three children, who are now living. The eldest of these, Harry P. , is foreman of a cigar factory; John W. is a printer in the United Brethren Publishing House; Catherine Eleanor is at home. There have as yet been no weddings in the second generation. As might be imagined, our subject feels a justifiable pride in his military career, and is an active worker in the Union Veteran Legion, Encampment No. 145, at Dayton.

Mrs. Davy is a member of the United Brethren church, as are her children also. Her parents were John and Elizabeth (Laney) Paullus. Her father was a Virginian, while his wife was a native of Ohio. His parents came from Germany, while his wife's people were of Scottish origin. They had eleven children, of whom five are alive at this writing: Matthew is a resident of Greenfield, Ind., he was in the Civil war, and served as captain of company G, Ninety-third Ohio volunteer infantry, and is not now engaged in active business; he had also served in the Mexican war; Peter L. , who is now at home in Chicago, was a soldier in the same company with his brother and served as lieutenant; Samuel is residing in Preble county, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Grace is a resident of Dayton, and one child, Emanuel, died in childhood. Five passed away after they had come into mature life - Nancy Ella, Elizabeth, Hester Ann, John R. and Adam. This last son was also a soldier in the Thirtyfifth Ohio volunteer infantry, and his death was the result of wounds and disability incurred while in the service. Mrs. Davy is the youngest of this large and interesting family, and is an active worker in the various societies connected with her church. Her parents died

Mr. Davy is a man of strong political proclivities, and has long been an active worker in the democratic party, following here in the footsteps of his father, who was devoted to that organization. He is a man not afraid of work, and while he inherited nothing but a strong constitution and a good example, by industry and economy he has secured a convenient and comfortable home. He is a member in good standing of Miami lodge, A. O. U. W., of Iola lodge, K. P. , and of the uniform rank of the same order.

AVID A. DEAN, commissioner of Montgomery county, and a wellknown citizen of the county, residing at Beavertown, was born at that place November 27, 1837. He is a son of Alexander Dean, one of the earliest of the pioneers of Montgomery county, who came to this county in 1812, from Pennsylvania, his native state. He was one of the prominent men of his day, being elected justice of the peace and appointed postmaster of his town, serving in each capacity for many years. He died at the age of eighty-two years in 1882. His wife was Susanna Lemmon, a daughter of David Lemmon, and a native of Montgomery county. David Lemmon, like Alexander Dean, was one of the pioneers of Montgomery county.

David A. Dean was reared in Beavertown, and was there educated in the public schools. He followed farming until the war, and then enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-first regiment, O. V. I., with which he served one hundred days. After the war he began working at the carpenter's trade, and continued so to labor for twenty years. His reputation for sound judgment and fairness became so well established that he was elected justice of the peace in the spring of 1878, and by successive re-elections he continued to hold that position for six terms of three years each, or eighteen consecutive years. He also served as township clerk for one term.

In 1895, Mr. Dean was elected, as a republican, to the office of commissioner of Montgomery county, taking possession of his office on the first Monday in January, 1896. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church of Beavertown. Mr. Dean was married in the fall of 1858 to Cornelia Darner, who was born in Montgomery county, and who is a daughter of Jacob Darner, a farmer of that county. To this marriage there have been born eight children, seven of whom, two sons and five daughters, are living. One of the sons and four of the daughters are married. Mr. Dean is one of the best known men in the county, and in his long term of service as a justice he has not only won the confidence of every class by his strong practical sense and his judicial impartiality, but has given the best evidence of the value and necessity of the magistrate's court in the community.

BM. COMPTON, attorney and counselor at law, of Dayton, Ohio, was born October 19, 1863, near Franklin, Warren county, Ohio. He lived on his father's farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he attended the preparatory department of the National normal university at Lebanon, Ohio. From this school he graduated in 1884, having in the meantime spent two years traveling in the interest of The Hall Safe & Lock company of Cincinnati, Ohio.

After leaving the Lebanon institution he taught the school in the village of Blue Ball, Warren county, Ohio, which he had attended before going to Lebanon. In the fall of

1885 he entered as a law student the office of Craighead & Craighead, in Dayton, remaining with them for two years, and wasthen admitted to the bar, but continued with the above firm for one year longer. In January, 1889, he opened an office for the practice of his profession, in Dayton, and two years later formed a partnership with Hon. D. W. Allaman, which was dissolved at the end of one year, by reason of the election of Mr. Allaman to the legislature. Since then Mr. Compton has prosecuted the practice of the law alone. He is now attorney for the American Loan & Savings association, and is generally recognized as a safe and sound counselor.

Mr. Compton was married in November, 1890, to Miss Nellie Probasco, daughter of the late Firman Probasco, of Middletown, Ohio, and they have two children. Mr. Compton, while not a seeker for political preferment, is an active adherent of the republican party. He is one of the most ready and forcible speakers among the men of his age at the Montgomery county bar.

OHN FRIEND DeBRA, M. D., physician and surgeon of Dayton, Ohio, located at No. 1902 East Third street, is a grandson of Daniel DeBra, who came from Alsace, then a district of France, as a soldier of LaFayette, and served as a lieutenant with that friend of America all through the Revolutionary war. The Revotion having come to a close, he located at Baltimore, and there married Elizabeth Friend, by whom he had ten sons and three daughters. The father of John F. was also named Daniel. He was reared in Maryland and learned the trade of cabinetmaker. In 1802 he came to Ohio, settling in Miami county, where he lived the rest of his life, and where he was one of the leading characters in that part of the country, and served as colonel of the militia. Early in life he was a democrat, but later became a free-soiler, and was quite prominent in local affairs. He was the first to advocate temperance in his section of the country, and died in 1844. He married Miss Mary Langston, a daughter of Lazarus Langston, one of the first settlers in Upton, Preble county, Ohio. He and his wife were the parents of five children, as follows: Rebecca, wife of Obed Macy, of Troy, Ohio; Alfred, a carpenter and builder of Miami county, Ohio; Dr. John F. ; Cynthia, wife of Dr. A. H. Iddings, of Dayton, Ohio; and Daniel, of Pleasant Hill, Miami county, Ohio, and an ex-soldier of the Union army, who was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness.

Dr. John F. DeBra was born August 16, 1837, and when he was but seven years of age his father died; since then he has practically taken care of himself. The time from the death of his father until he reached his eighteenth year was one of trial, trouble and hardship, with but little encouragement from any source. Up to that time he had received no education, but he was then induced to attend school, and after receiving one winter's instruction he became so determined to inform himself that he borrowed the funds necessary to meet the expense of a brief course of study in college. The next fall he secured a certificate for twelve months to teach school, and from that time he has gradually risen through his own exertions and unaided efforts. He attended Antioch college at Yellow Springs, taking there an academic course; then, beginning to read medicine with the view of making that profession his life work, he afterward attended the Ohio Medical college at Cincinnati, where he graduated in 1870, having, however, been engaged in practice previous to his graduation for some ten years. Dr. DeBra located first in Darke county, Ohio, at Hill Grove, where he remained until 1876, when he removed to Miamisburg, Montgomery county. There he remained engaged in active practice until 1884, when he was appointed physician to the agency of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians, at Fort Reno, I. T. , which place he filled for five years. Retiring from this position, he located in Dayton, where he has ever since been engaged in practice. In 1893 he was county physician of Montgomery county. He is a member of the Montgomery county Medical society, also of the Ohio state Medical association. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a Knight Templar, and a Knight of Pythias. Politically he is a democrat. Dr. DeBra was married April 23, 1863, to Miss Susannah Ohlinger, a daughter of John Ohlinger, of Center, Montgomery county. To this marriage there has been born one child, Charles E., of Dayton. Charles E. DeBra married Miss Mittie Willis, of Louisville, Ky. They are the parents of two children, Ouida and Lillian.

Dr. DeBra is a man of wide knowledge and extensive experience, and has collected many valuable curios which adorn his home. He has been successful in life, has contributed many valuable articles to the medical press, and is in every way a credit to his profession.

OSEPH J. DEGER, proprietor of the Banner bakery and wholesale dealer in confections and fancy groceries, was born in Martinsburg, Champion county, Va. (now West Virginia), May 22, 1857. When he was three years of age his parents removed to Saint Louis, Mo., and there his father, Michael Deger, enlisted in the Second Missouri regiment volunteer infantry, under Gen. Rosecrans. During the war the family remained in Saint Louis, removing to Dayton, Ohio, in 1865. Michael Deger then engaged

Joseph J. Deger received his preliminary education in the parochial schools, and afterward took a course of instruction in the Miami Commercial college. He then served an apprenticeship at the bakery business under the instruction of his father, with whom he remained until 1885, having for some years the management of the entire business. During the year last mentioned he erected a building at the corner of Washington and Perry streets, in which he began business for himself, engaging in baking, and dealing in wholesale confectionery and fancy groceries. Since then he has been constantly thus engaged at the same location. Mr. Deger has been a member of the Catholic Gesellen society for twenty-three years. He assisted in building the present temple and has held the office of trustee for four years. He has also been for nineteen years a member of Commandery No. 115, Catholic Knights of Saint George. Of this society he has been messenger two years, a trustee two years and treasurer six years. He has also been treasurer of the uniform rank, commandery No. 1 1 5, Catholic Knights of Saint George, for fifteen years. He is also a member of colony No. 4, American Sons of Columbus, and has been treasurer of the society for four years. The office of senior major of the Seventh battalion of the Knights of Saint John, now the Third regiment, he has held for seven years. Mr. Deger is a member of Chickasaw commandery, No. 108, Sons of Veterans. For the past nineteen years he has been a member of the Orphans' society, and of commandery No. 1 32, Knights of Saint John, division D. He is also a member of branch No. 58, C. M. B. A. and of branch No. 192, C. Iv. of A. For the past fifteen years he has been a member of the Dayton Bakers' Beneficial association, and is a member of the Eclipse club. Mr. Deger is a member of Emanuel Catholic church, which was organized by Rev. Emmanuel Thienpont in 1837. Thus it will be seen that he is prominent in society activities and has held many places of trust and honor through the confidence of his associates.

Mr. Deger was married in 1880 to Miss Ada M. Feldmann, of Dayton. To this marriage there have been born nine children, as follows: Marie C. ; Charles M. ; Emma, deceased; Helen; Clara, deceased; Eddie; Adella; Vincent and Lucille.

Mr. Deger's success in life has been the result of industry and wisely applied business principles. He is a representative of the German thrift and sound judgment that have so largely contributed to the prosperity of Dayton.

HOMAS PENRYN EVANS, chief engineer at the national military home, of Dayton, Ohio, is a native of Denbigh, Wales, and was born March 12, 1852. He lived in his birthplace until thirteen years of age, attending the public schools. His parents, Peter and Jane Evans, died in Wales - the father, who was a farmer, at the age of seventy-two years, and the mother at the age of seventy. Five sons and five daughters constituted the family, and of these Thomas P. and two brothers came to America in the year 1865; of these three brothers, John P. died while an employee, as engineer, at the home waterworks, and Peter D. is now filling the position thus made vacant. On coming to America, Thomas P. Evans passed two years on an uncle's farm in Delaware county, Ohio, and also attended school in the neighborhood. He then went to Columbus, Ohio, where he learned engineering, and then, having become competent, was employed as engineer at the deaf and dumb asylum for four years. Shortly afterward he went to California and erected the first granite polishing machine on the Pacific coast; the year following he was employed as engineer at the Xenia (Ohio) orphans' home, and then, for a year, at the blind asylum in Columbus. For six years thereafter he was engineer at the imbecile asylum in Columbus, and in 1883 came to the soldiers' home in Dayton, where he has since had charge of all the motive power machinery. Mr. Evans is a most ingenious mechanic, and is the inventor and patentee of an economical device entitled the Evans duplex oil burner, which has been approved and endorsed by scores of manufacturing firms in Dayton and elsewhere.

Mr. Evans was married at Columbus, in 1879, to Miss Carrie Wieler, a native of that city and a daughter of Capt. Wieler, a German and a soldier in the Mexican war. Of the two children born to the marriage of Thomas P. and Carrie (Wieler) Evans, Eva Elsie died at the age of sixteen months, and Edith Edna, now sixteen years old, is a student in Miss Arnold's wel-lknown young ladies' academy at Dayton. The mother of Mr. Evans is passing her declining days at his home. In his fraternal relations, Mr. Evans has been a member of Columbus lodge, No. 9, I. O. O. F. , since 1873, and is also a member of Buckeye encampment, No. 148, and canton Ohio, No. 1, of P. M. of the same order, at Columbus, and in this, as well as in the subordinate lodge, he has held various official positions; he is, beside, a member of Franklin lodge, No. 5, of Columbus, K. of P., and a member of Dayton lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of the order of Knights of the Mystic Shrine, No. 1 ; also of Ohio C. Y. C. , No. 1, of the World, and of Gem City senate, No. 1 1 , K. A. E. O. Mr. and Mrs. Evans, with their daughter, are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Campbell, a democrat, as trustee of the deaf and dumb asylum at Columbus, and in 1892 was re-appointed to the same position by Gov. McKinley, a republican, but resigned in 1895.

John S. Denise, father of William, was born in New Jersey, a son of William Denise, a soldier in the war of 1812. The father of William was also named William, and came from France to America with the Marquis de Lafayette, served under him through the Revolutionary war, and, at the close of that great struggle, settled in New Jersey. The maternal great-grandfather of our subject was also a hero of the Revolution. John S. Denise was a pioneer of Darke county, Ohio, having settled there before the removal of the Indians, and there he and his wife ended their days, leaving, beside William, the following children: Aaron, now over seventy-one years of age, residing on the Darke county homestead; Ellen, now the widow Farra, residing on the same farm; Margaret, who is married to Elijah Mc- Connell, a business man of Greenville; Rhoda Jane, who never married and who lives with her brother Aaron; Obediah, unmarried, who also lives on the old farm; Mrs. Lottie Van Tillburg, who reared a family, and is now deceased.

William Denise, after the removal of his parents from Butler to Darke county, lived with his paternal grandfather until the death of the latter, when he joined his parents, he being then about eighteen years of age. He learned his trade in Greenville, and later worked with his father at millwright and joiner work. He has constructed many a dwelling from the tree to completion, making the sash, doors, etc. by hand and understanding woodwork thoroughly, while his father could make anything of wood, from a spinning-wheel to a threshing machine.

Mr. Denise was first married, in Greenville, to Miss Catherine Jarber, who lived one year only after the union, and four years after her decease Mr. Denise wedded Mrs. Maria (Price) McLean, .this marriage also taking place in Greenville, forty-one years ago. Mrs. Denise was born in Dayton December 25, 1829, and has borne to Mr. Denise six children, namely: John Winner, Estella and

Luella (twins), of whom the latter died at the age of fourteen years ; Catherine ; Fannie, now the wife of Gus Kimerling, railroad ticket agent in Hamilton, Ohio; and George, who died at the age of four years.

Mr. Denise settled in Dayton in 1857, and engaged as a traveling salesman, handling farm machinery for two years. He next made an engagement with J. C. Drew, of Louisiana, and went to Erath county, Tex. Returning to Dayton at the outbreak of the Civil war, Mr. Denise engaged for some years in house building by contract.

In politics Mr. Denise was formerly a whig, as were his ancestors, but he is now a strong republican. That the patriotic spirit of their ancestors has not died out in the Denise family is shown by the fact that Aaron, brother of William, served from the beginning to the end of the Civil war and was in forty engagements ; Obadiah, another brother, served four years ; and two cousins were killed at Chickamauga. The earliest recollection that Mr. Denise retains of the Indians dates from his fifth year, when he saw 1,700 red men that were being transferred by the government to a reservation prepared for them, and later saw about 1,500 wild Indians in Tesch Point. In clearing up the old farm near Greenville he plowed up the foundation of the block-house built by Gen. Wayne, and saw, at Fort Recovery, skulls that were washed out of their shallow graves and each bearing the marks of the Indian's tomahawk.

OSEPH L. DEGER, member of the Dayton city council and ex-United States storekeeper in the revenue service, was born in Dayton, Ohio, March 13, '1852. His father, Joseph Deger, was a native of Hohenzollern, a province of Prussia, and reached the United States about 1848, coming direct to Dayton. By trade he was a stonecutter, following that occupation up to the time of his death, which occurred February 16, 1864. His wife, whose maiden name was Scholastica Spitznagel, was a native of the grand duchy of Baden, and was married to Mr. Deger in the old country. She died in March, 1893. Joseph Deger and his wife were the parents of eight children, six of whom are still living, as follows: Louisa, widow of Henry

Kastner, of Dayton; Anna, wife of Frederick Seiboldt, of Gabon, Ohio; Joseph L. ; Peter, of Springfield, Ohio; J. William, of Dayton, Ohio, and Rosa, widow of Henry Claude, of Dayton. Charles and Clara were the names of the two deceased.

Joseph L. Deger was reared in Dayton, and was educated in the parochial schools. At the age of twelve years he began life for himself, working at different occupations until he reached his sixteenth year, when he began an apprenticeship to the stonecutter's trade. This trade he followed until he was twentythree years of age, when he became salesman for C. A. Trentman, wholesale coffee and spice dealer, continuing thus employed until 1883. He then established himself in the grocery business, in which he has since been engaged. His place of business is at the corner of Haynes street and Van Cleve avenue, east end.

Mr. Deger was married in 1873 to Mary Zimmerman, who was born in Baden, Germany, January 20, 1852, and came to the United States in 1854. Her parents were Casper and Katherine (Zugelder) Zimmerman, the former of whom died in New York soon after arriving in this country, and the latter in Dayton, Ohio, shortly after she reached this place. The grandparents of Mary Zimmerman came to this country at the same time with her parents, and by them she was reared after the death of her father and mother.

To the marriage of Joseph L. Deger and his wife there have been born six children, as follows: Joseph H., May S., Carrie L., Vernie R. , Leo E., and Urban J., the last two deceased. In April, 1894, Mr. Deger was elected to the city council from the Sixth ward, but since that time the wards have been so changed that he now represents the Eighth. On May I3, 1895, he was appointed, by Collector Dowling, storekeeper in the United States government revenue service, with headquarters first at Clifton Springs, Cincinnati, and later at Germantown, Montgomery county, Ohio. He resigned from the revenue service in April, 1 896, to take the position of collector for the Nick Thomas brewery, which position he now holds. Fraternally Mr. Deger is a member of the Knights of Saint George, commanderies Nos. 104 and 1 31; of the Badenser Verein; Elsas Lothringen; and of the Independent Order of Foresters, court Dayton, No. 1000. He and his family are members of the Holy Trinity Catholic church, which, as an offshoot from Emanuel church, was organized in i860. For about twenty-three years Mr. Deger has been quite prominent in the Knights of Saint George, having served as captain of commandery No. 104, and also as captain of commandery No. 1 3 1 , for several years. From October, 1892, to February, 1896, he served as colonel of the Seventh battalion of that order, resigning his office at the date last mentioned. In all relations of life, business, religious and official, Mr. Deger is thoroughly reliable, and performs all his duties with an eye single to the good of his society, his church and the community at large.

HLBERT DHEIN, secretary of the board of health of Dayton, was born at Saint Mary's, Auglaize county, Ohio, August 30, 1868. He is a son of Philip and Anna (Laur) Dhein, both natives of Germany. They were married in Milwaukee, and from that city removed to Dayton, Ohio. After living in Dayton a short time they removed to Saint Mary's, subsequently returning to Dayton, where they are now residing at No. 415 Oak street. By trade, Philip Dhein is a molder, and was foreman for John Dodds, manufacturer of hay rakes, for many years. To Philip and Anna Dhein there were born five sons, all of whom are living, as follows: Leopold P. , Rudolph J., Henry J., Charles G., and Albert.

Albert Dhein has lived in Dayton ever since he was six months old, and received his education wholly in the public schools of this city, except that he took a commercial course in the Miami Commercial college, and afterward a course in stenography in Beck's Commercial college in Dayton. Previous to taking these courses he had worked in his brother's foundry in the east end of the city for several years. He was appointed to his present position as secretary of the board of health, *in December, 1894, to fill a vacancy, was re-appointed in June, 1 895, for one year, and again in 1896.

Fraternally, Mr. Dhein is a member of Gem City lodge, I. O. O. F. , and politically he is and always has been a democrat, having taken an active part in city politics for a number of years. He is devoted to the prosperity of the

OLIVER EDGAR DAVIDSON, president of the board of city affairs of Dayton, was born in German township, Montgomery county, Ohio, on August 24, 1857, and is the son of O. G. H. and Charlotta (Grauser) Davidson, both natives of Montgomery county. O. G. H. Davidson was born at Germantown, Ohio, on November 28, 1827, and was the son of James J. and Harriet (Eichelberger) Davidson. He was a prominent man in the county, and held various official positions. In March, 1861, he became superintendent of the county infirmary, and in the fall of 1.864 he was elected sheriff of Montgomery county, and removed to Dayton in January of the following year. He was re-elected to the sheriff's office, serving two full terms. Afterwards he was in the French burr millstone business for several years. He also held the office of land appraiser at two different times, and before his death, on December 29, 1893, he was engaged in the real-estate business in Dayton. His widow survives and resides in this city. To the parents four sons and four daughters were born, of whom two sons died in infancy. The father was a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity and of the Lutheran church.

Oliver E. Davidson was reared in Dayton and was educated in the public and high schools. He taught school in the country for a number of years. In March, 1887, he was appointed secretary of the Dayton police board, which position he held until April 19, 1894, serving under different administrations, and resigning to accept the appointment as a member of the board of city affairs. In 1897 he was made president of that board. Mr.

Davidson is a member of the K. of P. and B. P. O. E. fraternities. He was married, in 1880, to Miss Mattie Hosier, of Dayton, and one son has been born to their union.

'y-* EWIS P. EARNSHAW, M. D., phyi sician and surgeon, of Dayton, Ohio, with office at No. 1225 West Fifth street, was born February 23, 1872, at the national soldiers' home, near Dayton, his father, Rev. William Earnshaw, being at the time chaplain of that institution. Previous to her marriage his mother's name was Margaret Hutchison. Rev. William Earnshaw was appointed the first chaplain of the Central branch of the national soldiers' home September 5, 1867, and served until his death, July 1 7, 1885. Prior to his appointment he had served in various places as minister and chaplain, achieving a high reputation in his profession. He was born in Pennsylvania, of English and Irish parentage. Before the war of the Rebellion he was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and during the Rebellion was chaplain of the Forty-ninth Pennsylvania volunteers. Then, for a year or two, he had charge of the national cemeteries, and finally was appointed chaplain of the Central branch, as above stated. He and his wife were the parents of five children, as follows: Minnie W., wife of B. F. Hershey, of Dayton, Ohio; William B., secretary of the Dayton Malleable Iron company; Margaret H., wife of R. H. Grubbs, of Pittsburg, Pa. ; Frederick, deceased, and Lewis P. , the subject of this sketch.

Lewis P. Earnshaw was educated in the public 'schools of Dayton and later at the Western university of Pennsylvania. Having completed his literary education he began reading medicine with Dr. George Goodhue, of Dayton, a biographical sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume, afterward attending the Miami Medical college of Cincinnati, Ohio, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1895. He at once located in Dayton and began the practice of his profession. He is devoting himself to general practice, and has met with gratifying success, being, as he is, one of the youngest members of the profession in the city. Dr. Earnshaw is a member of the Montgomery county Medical society, and of Grace Methodist Episcopal church. He is one of the progressive young men and physicians of the city of Dayton, and doubtless has a successful and useful career in store for him.

^y^ILLIAM HAVELOCK CRAWM £ I FORD, president of the Crawford, McGregor & Canby company, manufacturers of lasts, of Dayton, was born in that city, November 22, 1863. He is a son of Charles H. and Sarah (Thresher) Crawford, the latter of whom was a daughter of Ebenezer Thresher and a sister of E. M. Thresher, who is a prominent business man of Dayton. Mrs. Crawford's death occurred in 1880. A full biographical sketch of Charles H. Crawford may be found elsewhere in this volume.

William Havelock Crawford was reared in his native city and received his preliminary education in the Second district school, subsequently attending the famous Cooper academy and still later taking a course of study in Miami Commercial college. In 1883 he began working in the last factory of Crawford, Coffman & Co. During the first four years of his service in this company he filled various positions, beginning as shipping clerk, and following this by working in all the departments of the factory, in order to qualify himself for the subsequent management of the business, in case that responsibility should in time come to him. Having acquired a thorough knowledge of the business in all its phases he was taken into the office of the company as bookkeeper. While employed in this capacity he had charge of the sales of the goods to a considerable extent, and afterward traveled in the interests of the firm. Upon the death of Charles H. Crawford in 1887, William H. succeeded to his father's interests, taking general charge of the business, which during the past nine years has increased some tenfold, a growth which is largely due to the ability of the son.

In 1886 the firm of Crawford, Coffman & Co. sold out to the firm of Crawford, McGregor & Canby, this partnership continuing until March, 1896, when the industry was incorporated under the name of the Crawford, Mc- Gregor & Canby Co. , consisting of the three original members and W. J. Blakeney, O. A. Woodruff, and W. H. Kempert. The officers of this company at its formation were, and always have been, W. H. Crawford, president; John McGregor, vice-president and general manager; and W. J. Blakeney, secretary and treasurer.

In 1884 Mr. Crawford was instrumental in organizing the Last Makers' National association, consisting of thirty-seven members, and of this association Mr. Crawford was the first president and has been twice re-elected. He is now filling the position of director in the Dayton board of trade, in the Computing Scale company of Dayton, and in the Homestead Aid association.

Mr. Crawford was married November 4, 1886, to Miss Mary A. Cunningham, daughter of D. O. Cunningham, glass manufacturer of Pittsburg. Three children have been born to this union, viz: Marie Madeline, Charles

Dayton club and of the Young Men's Christian association. The personal characteristics of Mr. Crawford, his love of right and duty, his strong business capacity, are only referred to in this connection, as they are more fully discussed and developed in the biography of his father, Charles H. Crawford.

ENAS A. CRAIG, president of the Craig-Reynolds Foundry company of Dayton, was born in Richland, Miss. , on the 1 st day of April, 1 864. His father was Robert Craig, who came to Dayton in 18 66, and was one of the well-known men of this city for many years. He was a native of the north of Ireland, and came to the United States when about eighteen years of age. He resided in the east for a time and then went south to Mississippi, where he engaged in mercantile business and in planting, conducting a large business and owning one or more plantations. He was succeeded in this business by his sons, Robert E., now of New Orleans, where he is president of the New Orleans Water Works company and identified with several of the Crescent City's banks, and W. C. and T. H., now of Yazoo City. Another son is John R., a member of the Craig-Reynolds company. The father died in Dayton, April 1, 1894, and his wife January 3, 1891.

Zenas A. Craig was reared in Dayton and educated in the public schools, at Cooper seminary and at Commercial college. After filling various clerical positions in retail stores, he, at the age of twenty-one years, became shipping clerk at the Fanners' Friend Manufacturing company, which position he held for about three years, when he. was promoted to the place of bookkeeper in addition. He remained with the above concern for five years, and in 1891 organized the firm of Marlay, Craig & Co., jobbing foundry men, which firm in 1893 was merged into the Craig-Reynolds Co., of which Mr. Craig was made president at the organization. He was married June 1, 1 890, to Miss Carrie, the daughter of Thornton Gilbert, Esq., of Dayton. Mr. Craig is a member of the Buckeye Gun club, and of the National Union insurance order.

WILLIAM DENSMORE, coal-dealer, of Dayton, Ohio, was born in the city of Cincinnati, on the 11th of January, 1845. His father, Capt. Andrew Densmore, was of Irish descent, and his mother, whose maiden name was Rebecca Simpkins, was born in New Jersey, in 1822, and died in her sixty-sixth year. Andrew Densmore, whose birth occurred at Columbus Grove, Ohio, in 1810, was for many years engaged in the canal trade, and was captain of a boat until his death at Dayton, on September 13, 1864. The family of Andrew and Rebecca Densmore consisted of five children, all now living, William being the eldest; the names of the others are, Andrew, a business man of Dayton; John, of the same city; Benjamin and Harry, the last two being also engaged in business in Dayton.

William Densmore was brought to Dayton by his parents when a child of three years, and received his education in the city schools. For a number of years he was employed upon the canal with his father, upon whose death William succeeded him as captain on the Miami canal and followed boating for about fifteen years, the greater part of which time was spent in carrying stone from the quarries to Dayton and Cincinnati. He was thus engaged from 1863 until 1884, at which time he embarked in his present business in Dayton.- Mr. Densmore deals in all kinds of coal, wood, etc., and has met with encouraging success, being enterprising and wide awake

Mr. Densmore was married February 1, 1887, to Miss Olive Ogier, a native of Richmond, Ind., where her birth occurred September 29, 1868. The parents of Mrs. Densmore were Julius and Sarah (Swalem) Ogier, natives respectively of Kentucky and Dayton, Ohio, both born in the year 1841. They reared a family of four children, viz: Harry, Olive, Wilbur and Sylvia. Mr. and Mrs. Ogier were reared in Dayton and subsequently removed to Indiana, where they remained for a limited period, returning to Dayton where they still reside. Mr. Ogier served in the Eleventh Ohio infantry, was one of the first to reach the top of Lookout mountain, and planted the flag there before the enemy were driven from the stronghold. He received at the same time a. severe wound which disabled him for life. His family is of French origin, his father having been born in the city of Versailles, France; while Mrs. Ogier's parents were Germans.

Mr. and Mrs. Densmore have one child, Lewis, who was born October 31, 1889. Mr. Densmore is independent politically and votes his sentiments regardless of party ties. He is a successful business man, and one of the substantial citizens of the city in which he resides.

HUGUST J. F. DIERS, the popular shoe-dealer of Dayton, was born in this city January 17, 1862. He is a son of Lewis H. and Catherine Diers, natives of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, who came to America about the year 1850, and settled in Dayton, where Mrs. Catherine Diers died in December, 1891. Lewis H. Diers, who is a carpenter by trade, is now living in retirement.

years of age, when he found employment in the leather store of Mr. Martin for one year, and then entered the Barney & Smith car works as an apprentice in the upholstering department, serving there for eighteen months. He then entered the service of D. C. Arnold as clerk in the shoe trade, and in this employ he remained for fifteen years, when he engaged in the shoe business on his own account, uniting with Wilson G. Tanner, under the firm name of Diers & Tanner, mention of whom is made in the biography of Mr. Tanner. The partnership is now dissolved, and Mr. Diers has succeeded to the business as sole proprietor. The prosperity that has attended the firm in the past is the best indication of Mr. Diers' future success.

Mr. Diers is a member of Linden lodge, No. 412, Knights of Pythias. On October 9, 1884, he married Miss Mary Hunt, daughter of Josiah Hunt, of Dayton, and one child has been born to them, a son, Harry. Mr. and Mrs. Diers are members of the First Lutheran church. Mr. Diers has earned a reputation for sagacity and industry, and by close and intelligent attention to the daily demands of a business life, has placed himself in the front rank of Dayton's reliable and progressive young business men.

ROF. JOHN MARION EBERT, principal of the Nineteenth public school district of Dayton, Ohio, and a very popular educator, was born in Kosciusko county, Ind., March 12, 1852, and is remotely of German ancestry. His parents, Charles and Christina (Houser) Ebert, however, were natives of the Buckeye state, and, after marriage, removed to Indiana, where the father, who was a farmer by occupation, died in Kosciusko county while still in young manhood. After this sad event the mother returned to her people in Ohio, with whom she lived until her decease at the age of fiftynine years. The death of the father also caused a separation of the children, of whom there were four, our subject being the youngest, the others being Mary Ann, now the widow of Daniel F. Miller and a resident of Gratis, Preble county, Ohio; Elizabeth, a resident of the same place and widow of John Etter, and Thomas William, who is in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad company, with headquarters at Garrett, Ind.

Owing to the early death of their father, the children were not abundantly furnished with the means for securing an education, and were to a great extent dependent upon themselves for its acquirement, and their effort in this direction happily met with success. John M. Ebert learned his early lessons in the public schools of Montgomery county, Ohio, whither he had been taken when a mere child, and at the age of about twenty years was himself prepared to conduct a school. For several years he alternated between teaching and attending the more advanced schools, and about 1885 began his career as principal in graded school work in Farmersville, Montgomery county, holding his first appointment in this responsible grade for four years. He then removed to Dayton, and for two years taught a school near the city limits, until in September, 1894, he was elected to his present position of principal of the Nineteenth district. This is the latest organized of the public school districts of Dayton, comprises twelve departments, with twelve teachers and 350 pupils in attendance, and Prof. Ebert is daily increasing its efficiency and usefulness.

Mr. Ebert was united in marriage at Farmersville, Ohio, September 16, 1881, with Miss Ella N. Riegel, a native of Montgomery county. Her parents are Franklin j. and Catherine Riegel, the former a retired farmer, and now, with his wife, residing at Farmersville. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Ebert has been blessed with two sons, Owen Leroy and Robert Laird, aged respectively thirteen and five years.

Mr. Ebert is a member of Miamisburg lodge, No. 44, K. of P. In religion he and his wife are members of the Fourth Reformed church of Dayton. While not aggressive in political matters, his affiliations are with the democratic party, and under its auspices he served one term as mayor of Farmersville, which position he resigned on his appointment as principal of the schools of that city. In August, 1892, he was appointed, by the probate court of Montgomery county, a member of the county board of examiners, in which capacity he acted for three years, one-half of this period as president of the board.

Prof. Ebert has filled these several positions with ability and faithfulness, creditably to himself and satisfactorily to the public whom he has thus served.

Rs. Martha Jane Rouzer

RS. MARTHA JANE ROUZER, president of the John Rouzer com. pany and widow of John Rouzer, the founder thereof, is a native of Dayton, was born July 24, 1836, and educated in the public schools and higher educational institutions of the city, receiving a training which included a study of the classics as well as of the ordinary branches of knowledge.

The parents of Mrs. Rouzer were Henry and Susannah (Johnson) Diehl, the former of whom was born in Hagerstown, Md., in 1800; the latter was born in Pennsylvania and was some years her husband's junior. They were married in Dayton, Ohio, where Mr. Diehl was engaged extensively in chair making, and to their union were born four daughters, viz: Ann Eliza, who became Mrs. William Horn and died at about forty years of age; Martha Jane, whose name opens this sketch; Margaretta, widow of John Cannon and a resident of New York, and Susannah, deceased wife of Samuel McNutt. The second of the above named children, Martha Jane, at the age of seventeen years, was married to John Rouzer, a carpenter and builder of Dayton.

John Rouzer was a native of Clark county, Ohio, born June 29, 1822, son of John and Elizabeth Rouzer. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked at various places from 1844 to 1854, and in the latter year established himself in business as a contractor and builder in Dayton, beginning in a small way. In 1861, he began the manufacture of building material. He was then located in the old Bomberger flouring mill, where he put in operation the first iron frame molding machine in the United States. In 1862, he entered upon the erection of the Turner opera house, which was opened January 1, 1864. In 1863, he removed to the present location of the John Rouzer Planing Mill company, on the Cooper hydraulic, opposite the head of Fourth street. The building he then occupied was a small two-story brick, which a year or two afterward he enlarged by adding twenty feet to the front, and raising it all one story. In 1871 he erected a new building to the north of the old one, three stories in front and four stories high on the canal. He afterward occupied the two buildings, which are now equipped with the finest machinery to be found anywhere in the state. Mr. Rouzer conducted this business alone for a time, and did a large and constantly increasing business, the product of his factory finding a market in a number of states. His building operations were not confined to Dayton, but extended to many other places, notably Columbus, where he erected the court house, the board of trade building, and the residence of the widow of ex-Gov. Dennison. In Dayton he supplied the inside furnishing and furniture for the new court house, and the office furniture for the offices of the Teutonia Insurance company. He also erected the Callahan bank building, the high school building, and many other substantial structures.

In February, 1890, he organized the John Rouzer company, of which he was a principal stockholder and the president until his death, which occurred May 23, 1893. This is the leading manufactory of its kind in Dayton, employs a large number of men, turning out work of the highest class in the way of builders' materials and supplies, office furniture being one of the specialties of the company.

To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Rouzer were born seven children, of whom five died in infancy; of the living, Kate was first married to Leo Flotron, a native of France and a jeweler by trade, who died in Dayton about 1876, leaving his widow with one son, John R. Flotron, who is now secretary and treasurer of the John Rouzer company and is the adopted son of his grandmother, Mrs. Martha Jane Rouzer. The second marriage of Mrs. Kate (Rouzer) Flotron was to David W. Moore, of Xenia, Ohio, who lived about two years after marriage, and later his widow became the wife of John N. Humphrey, who is engaged in keeping a restaurant in Dayton. The second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rouzer, named Mattie, is the wife of Horace Justice, a farmer of Montgomery county, and is the mother of two children, Horace and Mattie.

John Rouzer was what is usually denominated in business circles a self-made man; and the term may be applied, in this case, in its broadest scope, as he began life in indigent circumstances, but through his great ability as a mechanic and his keen business perceptions, accumulated a handsome fortune and became perous industries of his adopted city. He was noted for his kindness of heart and for his sympathy with the poor and distressed, which sympathy was manifested in a broad and comprehensive liberality; he was, moreover, a kind and indulgent husband and father; and his family cherish his memory with deep affection, while his loss is deplored as well by an extended group of friends and acquaintances. As a Freemason Mr. Rouzer had attained the thirty-second degree, and in politics he was stanch in his adherence to the principles of the republican party, while in religion he was a devoted Baptist. The Rouzer family and the Diehl family trace their genealogy to Germany, although the father of John Rouzer was a native of Maryland; the Johnson family came from England, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Rouzer having been born in that country. Mrs. Rouzer was baptized in the faith of the Episcopal church, to which faith she still adheres, being an attendant upon the Christ Episcopal church at Dayton.

John Rouzer Flotron, grandson of Mrs. Rouzer, was, on the death of his father, adopted into the Rouzer family and shared the attention and kindness accorded the daughters, being reared and educated with the same care, and at the death of his grandfather shared in the distribution of the property. He is a young man of fine business qualifications, and has largely supplemented the place of the late Mr. Rouzer in conducting the extensive mill operations. Mrs. Rouzer, upon the loss of her husband, assumed the duties of president of the company, which office she has since filled with excellent judgment, exhibiting strong business ability and executive tact. She has surrounded herself with capable, trustworthy employes, has kept the affairs of the company in a harmonious and prosperous condition, and has proved herself to be fully competent to fill her responsible and prominent position.

aHARLES ECKSTEIN, superintendent of the street department of the Dayton water works, was born in Newport, Ky., June 29, 1864. His parents were Peter J. and Minnie Eckstein, both natives of Germany, but who came to the United States when quite young. They removed to Dayton from Newport, Ky., in 1868, and here the former died in 1871. His widow continues to reside in Dayton, but has since re-married.

Charles Eckstein received his education in the public schools. After leaving school he worked for his step-father for several years, engaging later with street contractors for a time. Subsequently he served an apprenticeship with the firm of Brooks & Kemper at the steam and gas fitting trade, continuing to work at this calling until May 1, 1891, when he was appointed to his present position in the water works. In this position Mr. Eckstein is unusually efficient, and is strictly attentive to his duties, the result being that he enjoys the full confidence of his employers. He was appointed to his position without solicitation on his part, his peculiar fitness therefor being apparent.

Mr. Eckstein is a member of Linden lodge, Knights of Pythias, of the Independent Order of Foresters, and of the Chautauqua tribe, No. 98, Improved Order of Red Men. He was married December 1, 1886, to Miss Ella May Williams, of Dayton.

EORGE W. EDWARDS, foreman of the laundry at the national military home, Dayton, Ohio, is a native of London, England, was born May 16, 1836, and came to America while still a youth. He worked in a machine shop in New York city until 1861, when he enlisted in company B, Sixth New York cavalry; he was first sent to Staten Island, where his regiment was organized, was stationed a short time at Havre de Grace, being then sent through Washington and across the Potomac river, to the Rappahannock river, to guard the fords. His principal battles were P'redericksburg, South Mountain, Antietam, and a running fight with the rebels back to the Rappahannock; he was in the battles at Kelly's Ford and Rappahannock Station, and guarded the rear of the infantry while in winter quarters. In the spring of 1863 he went upon the Chancellorsville campaign and took part in the battle of that name, participating in the battle of Gettysburg, following the retreating enemy to Falling Waters, and there crossing the Potomac, went with Sheridan on his famous raid in the rear of the rebels, being twenty-one days separated from the main army, recapturing trains and prisoners. In the winter of 1863 he was reenlisted and returned to New York on veteran furlough.

At the expiration of the term of his leave of absence, Mr. Edwards rejoined his regiment at Culpeper, and took part in the great wilderness campaign, the Union forces capturing at Beaver Dam Station a large force of rebels and recapturing three trains and many prisoners taken by the enemy in the wilderness and elsewhere in the early days of May, 1864. This raid continued on to Richmond, where there took place a severe skirmish inside the fortifications - the raid being led by Gen. Sheridan, .with Custer, Devins, Merritt and Torbett as division commanders. After about twenty-one days spent within the rebel lines, report was made to Gen. Grant, at City Point, Va. , and the next raid was made, under the the same commanders, from City Point, upon Trevillian Station, where was had a general cavalry engagement, resulting in the capture of the station and the destruction of the railroad and all rebel supplies. Returning to City

Point, orders were given for the corps to go north and intercept Early's raid into Maryland. They embarked on boats and went to Washington, being fired upon by rebel shore batteries nearly all the way. From Washington a forced march was made to Harper's Ferry, but from this point the main body of the rebel cavalry had retired across the Potomac, carrying off large stores taken in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Custer's division, however, recaptured a portion of this property. Mr. Edwards was next with Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley, and fought at Winchester, Cedar Creek and Fisher's Hill. In the latter battle forty-two pieces of artillery were captured and some prisoners and munitions of war re-taken. After following the enemy to Harrisonburg, the army returned to the valley and wintered near Loudoun, and while thus quartered was attacked by the enemy in Federal uniform, who captured the pickets and created a general stampede in camp, where the rebels gained some advantage, but soon lost more than they had gained. In the spring of 1865 a march was made down the valley, and the enemy, under Early, was met at Waynesboro, where he lost all his artillery, baggage-wagons and camp equipage. On the march to join Grant's army at Petersburg, Mr. Edwards lost his horse in crossing a swollen stream, and was sent with other dismounted men to Pleasant Valley. He rejoined his regiment at Cloud's Mills, where he took charge of his company, being now a sergeant, and was here mustered out as a supernumerary noncommissioned officer - his regiment having been consolidated with the Sixteenth New York cavalry.

Returning to New York city, Mr. Edwards enlisted, in 1866, in the Nineteenth United States infantry, and served one term of three years and one term of five years as first sergeant of company E. The last five years he served on detached duty as provost under Gen. C. H. Smith at Fort Gibson, in the Indian nation, and at Fort Smith, Ark. He was finally discharged, at Martinsville, in 1874, his application for re-enlistment having been rejected on account of hernia incurred while in the service. For the five years succeeding his discharge, he was employed in engineering in New Orleans, La. . In 1879, he came to the Central branch, national military home, Dayton, but was incapacitated for work for several years. In July, 1890, however, he was appointed foreman of the home laundry, where he has supervision over forty-nine men. Mr. Edwards was a true and brave soldier, and of his twelve years in the army he was eleven years an officer. During his last term of service in the regular army he was stationed twice at Fort Smith; once at Fort Gibson; once at Dover, Ark. ; once at Little Rock; thence at New Orleans and once each at Holly Springs, Miss. ; Ship Island, in the gulf of Mexico, and Martinsville. He was never married, has never joined a secret order, but has been a member of the Episcopal church all his life, and in politics is a stanch republican.

aHARLES W. ELLIFF, one of the prominent young members of the Dayton bar, was born in West Carrollton, Ohio, October 23, 1865, and is a son of Patrick Elliff, who located in Montgomery county about 1859, and together with his family moved to Dayton in 1875, where they have since resided.

Charles W. Elliff received a high-school education in the city of Dayton, and in 1889 began reading law; entered the Cincinnati Law school, and after leaving that institution was admitted to the bar in 1891. During the same year he was elected justice of the peace in Dayton, and served a term of three years in that capacity, with credit to himself and to the satisfaction and approval of the public. Upon retiring from this office he began the practice of law, and has been thus engaged ever since with gratifying success. In November, 1896, Mr. Elliff formed a law partnership with H. L. Ferneding.

Mr. Elliff is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the society of Elks. He was married December 8, 1895, to a daughter of John and May Fleckenstein, the former of whom is now deceased. Mr. Elliff has already made for himself an enviable reputation as a lawyer, and is personally very popular at the Dayton bar.

R. CLARKE S. EPPLEY, an experienced chiropodist, of Dayton, Ohio, with office in room 5, Newsalt building, on the corner of Fourth and Jefferson streets, was born in Clarke county, Ohio, in 1870. He is a son of Prof. H. C. Eppley, who is now located in Cincinnati, and who has been engaged as a chiropodist for twenty years, during four of which he practiced in Dayton. Prof. Eppley was born in Clarke county, Ohio, on a farm, and was educated in the common schools. His parents came from Virginia to Ohio, in which state they resided to the close of their lives.

Prof. H. C. Eppley was married, in Clarke county, to Miss Rosetta Neff. He was educated in Ohio and Michigan, and followed farming for some years, giving his attention thereafter to horses, buying, selling and training those designed for the race course. He was well acquainted throughout the entire state of Ohio. About 1875 he adopted the profession of chiropody, and, as stated above, has ever since followed that calling. He and his wife were the parents of three children,

Clarke S. Eppley was educated in the public schools, and from his eighteenth to his twenty-first year was occupied in the shoe business in Springfield. He then studied with his father, learning the profession of chiropody, and .has since that time been engaged in its pursuit. He was located in Springfield until 1893, when he removed to Dayton, where he has since practiced with success.

OHN GATES DOREN, retired journalist, residing at No. 307 East Sixth street, Dayton, Ohio, was born in Athens, Tenn., August 3, 1834, and is of French Huguenot and Scotch Covenanter origin. Immediately after the revocation, in 1685, of the edict of Nantes, the paternal ancestors of Mr. Doren left their native country, sought refuge in England, and there founded the family from which our subject directly descends. His paternal great-grandfather came to America with Gen. Horatio Gates, whose sister was the wife of Mr. Doren. They were joint heirs to large estates granted by the crown of England in Virginia, of which province Sir Thomas Gates was the first colonial governor. Grandfather Doren died just after the close of the war of 1812, in Norfolk, Va., and the father of John G. , also named John Gates Doren, was born near Wytheville, in the same state. Both the Gates and the Doren families were extensive slaveholders in their day, but gave to all their slaves their freedom in the early part of the present century, Gen. Gates removing to New York.

John Gates Doren, the elder, in early manhood settled in Tennessee, where he married Jane Macartney, daughter of an ex-captain of the British navy, but who, after the close of the Revolutionary war, had settled in east Ten- nessee. Capt. Macartney was the youngest brother of Lord George Macartney, a distinguished figure in English diplomacy and statesmanship from 1769 until 1798, and who, during this interval, was a member of parliament, chief secretary for Ireland, British ambassador to Russia and China, and governor-general of India and the Cape settlements. It may here also be added that Mrs. Doren was a schoolmate of Gen. Sam Houston. The mother of Miss Jane Macartney was a Murray, of the historical family of that name, and the youngest sister of Lord Dunmore, the last colonial governor of Virginia. The Murray family were Scotch Covenanters, and were bitterly opposed to the institution known as African slavery.

The parents of John G. Doren, because of their anti-slavery sentiments, came to Ohio in 1847, and first located in a Covenanter community in Greene county, but in 1851 settled in Columbus, which may be called the family home. The children of these parents numbered eleven - six sons and five daughters - of whom six only are now living, viz: Sarah L. , a widow, residing at the family home in Columbus; Horace H., for many years a journalist, but now retired, and also living in Columbus; Margaret and Henry C., likewise at the homestead; Dr. Gustavus A., who founded one of the first institutions in the United States for the treatment of imbecile children, and who is at present the superintendent and physician of the original institution at Columbus, now under state government control, and of which he has been the head since its creation; this asylum being rated as the best in the world, and having been visited by many commissions from Europe, appointed to examine into its workings with a view to the improvement of home institutions of a similar character. The name of the subject of this sketch closes this list. It may be added that all of this family were born in Athens, Tenn.

John Gates Doren was primarily educated under private tutors, of whom his mother was the chief and most effective. For some years he attended Forest Hill academy at Athens, where he received a thorough training for that day and for his own age, and this he supplemented by close and discriminating study through a course of years devoted to selftuition, and, indeed, through life, to the present day.

Mr. Doren was united in marriage at the old Collins homestead, Clermont county, Ohio, February 23, 1861, with Miss Elizabeth Bragdon, a native of Clermont, Ohio, daughter of Dr. George Hunt Bragdon, and granddaughter of Rev. John Collins, the pioneer minister, who preached the first Methodist sermon in Cincinnati, who also assisted in forming the first church in Dayton and organized the first Methodist church in either city, and who, during his first pastorate, received into the church Chief Justice McLean and other personages of note. The authority for this statement may be found in the Life of Rev. John Collins, written by John McLean (then one of the justices of the United States supreme court), and published in 1849 by the Methodist Episcopal Book concern of Cincinnati.

Collins, now librarian of the Dayton city library; Elizabeth Bragdon, a teacher in the Dayton city schools; Alice Macartney, who holds a similar position; Marian McSherry, now in her second year at Oberlin college; and three that died in infancy.

Mr. Doren became a democratic editor at nineteen years of age and continued in that profession until 1 889, when he sold out and has since devoted himself to special work in the literary field, living a semi-retired life. He began his career as a journalist on the Ohio Statesman, in 1852, under Gov. Samuel Me- dary, after having served a regular apprenticeship at the printing business. From 1855 to 1857 he owned and edited the Gazette, at Hillsborough, Ohio. In 1857 he was elected official reporter of the Ohio house of representatives, on the nomination of the late Justice Woods, of the United States supreme court, who was the speaker of the house at that time, Mr. Doren receiving the votes of republicans as well as of democrats. This position he resigned after a few months to accept an appointment in the treasury department at Washington. Still keeping up his connection with the Ohio democratic press, he established, in 1859, the Southern Ohio Argus (democratic), at Georgetown. Up to this time, from 1852, during such intervals of leisure as the busy life of a newspaper man afforded, he had been reading law under the direction of various preceptors at different times, among them Hon. Samuel Galloway and Judge James F. Matthews, at Columbus, and Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks, of Indiana, and Hon. Geo. E. Pugh, of Cincinnati, who, during the time Mr. Doren was in the treasury department, were holding official positions at Washington, D. C. - one as senator, and the other as commissioner of the general land office. As a result of this industry, Mr. Doren was enabled to graduate after one term of lectures at the Cincinnati law school and was admitted to the bar at Cincinnati in 1863.

In 1864 Mr. Doren exchanged the Argos establishment for the Sun plant, at Batavia, in Clermont county, but sold the latter almost as soon as he acquired it, with a view to devoting himself wholly to the practice of law. He then opened an office in Cincinnati for this purpose, but early in 1865 succeeded Geo. M. D. Bloss as managing editor of the Enquirer, Mr. Bloss becoming the writing editor. This position Mr. Doren held until his health failed, when he was compelled to retire for rest and recuperation. In the latter part of 1869 he came to Dayton at the solicitation of Mr. Vallandigham, and bought the plant of the old Empire, which paper he edited and published for twenty years, as the Herald and Empire and the Empire and Democrat. Upon this foundation Mr. Doren succeeded in doing what some very able men before him had failed to accomplish - he built up a successful, influential and effective democratic newspaper. The list of failures preceding him includes some names as notable for ability as that of Mr. Vallandigham. Among those who early attempted to build up a democratic journal in Dayton, but grew discouraged, were three gentlemen, who, after the att«mpt, "went west and grew up with the country, " the first - John Bigler, of California - winning the governorship of his adopted state; the second - DeLazore Smith, of Oregon - the United States senatorship, and the third - Thomas J. McCorkle, of California - the honor of being the first representative of that state in congress after it was admitted into the Union. Other brilliant men, like John R. Cockerill, of the New York World, Hiram H. Robinson, who built up the Cincinnati Enquirer, and Thomas and William Hubbard, also succumbed to discouragements in the attempt to establish a democratic paper in Dayton. These facts, and the other fact that Mr. Doren's party was in an apparently hopeless minority when he took charge of the party organ in Dayton, but soon attained a healthy majority, and maintained it as long as he owned and managed the paper, are some of the evidences of Mr. Doren's ability as an editor and publisher. Taken in connection with another fact, well known and much spoken of by Mr. Doren's brother editors - that he never edited a paper in any county which was not republican when he began, and democratic when he quit - his career is regarded as an instructive and significant one to all editors. The characteristic feature of this career was the absolute fearlessness and directness with which he always maintained his own convictions as to the honest interpretation and rigid application of his party's declared principles, as against any and all truckling "policies" of mere politicians, intent only on getting votes or winning and keeping offices. Such a policy always puts a partisan editor who adheres to it, in more or less antagonism with the local leaders, so-called, but the lesson of Mr. Doren's experience proves that it is the only one which can bring permanent success, and demonstrates that the political press need not be less straightforward, honest and independent because it is partisan.

During the twenty years that Mr. Doren was editor of his party organ in Dayton, he was never a candidate for any office before the people, although he held one or two by appointments which came to him unsolicited because of his special training or fitness for the duties required. He was journal index clerk of the national house of representatives from 1887 to 1889, inclusive, and was appointed by Gov. Foraker as a member of the board of state charities, a position which he held for six years, the last year as secretary of the board.

The special characteristics of the Doren family are devoted, to literary pursuits and learned professions, loyalty to the religious and political principles of their ancestors, and fidelity and integrity in all things.

BIORINI & SHERER, a firm of Dayton, Ohio, engaged in plastic d corations, stucco work, wood carving, designing, modeling and drawing ornamental patterns for interiors of buildings, with works at 134 and 136 East Fourth street, is composed of Henry Fiorini and Charles J.

Henry Fiorini, the senior partner, was born in Florence, Italy, in July, 1844, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Lotti) Fiorini. His elementary education was acquired in the common schools of Florence; he then entered the gymnasium and later passed to the academy of fine arts, took lessons in plastics for three years, and graduated, with honors, in 1865. He next took part, as an Italian patriot, in the war against Austria, which resulted in a united Italy, and in 1868 came to America, where he found even a greater freedom than that he fought for in his native land. Landing in New York, he worked at his art for twenty months; he then went to New Orleans, La., where, for a year, he labored at wood-carving; he next resided for three months in Chicago, 111., and then went to Montreal, where he worked as wood decorator for the Pullman Car company. There he remained for eight months, going thence, in 1872, to Boston, Mass., where he was, for sixteen months, foreman of a furniture firm, designing the ornamental work. In the fall of 1873 he made a trip to Europe, and was there married to Miss Victoria Gori. He then returned to Boston, where he lived until 1878; then went to New York city and was employed at his art for eight years, and in 1886 came to Dayton, Ohio, where he has since been engaged in the various branches of his artistic profession, being for about six years in the employ of the Barney & Smith Car works in decorative work, and since 1891 teaching a class in modeling and carving in the Y. M. C. A. of Dayton.

In 1882 Mr. Fiorini had the misfortune to lose his wife, who died in January of that year, at the early age of thirty-two, the mother of four children, of whom two are still living - Alfred J. and Louisa. In politics, Mr. Fiorini

Charles J. Sherer, the junior member of the firm of Fiorini & Sherer, was born in Dayton, February 19, 1868, a son of Michael F. and Margaret C. (Sacksteder) Sherer, was educated in Saint Mary's institute, and was the first graduate from that institution of learning, this event taking place in -June, 1885. He then served an apprenticeship at artistic wood carving and next made a trip throughout the eastern states, starting in the spring of 1889, and passing three years in that section, working at his trade and adding to his knowledge of his profession. Since his return to Dayton he has conducted business on his own account, carrying on his trade in his own shop until the formation of his present copartnership. Mr. Sherer is recognized as an expert carver, and as a citizen and business man his name is without a blemish. In politics he is a democrat and in religion a Catholic, and, like his partner, is popular with his fellow-citizens of the city of Dayton.