Dayton City (part 23 of 50)

ENRY L. FERNEDING, of the law firm of Elliff & Ferneding, Callahan Bank building, Dayton, Ohio, is a native of this city and is a son of Clement L. and Barbara (Barlow) Ferneding, the former of whom has been for many years prominent as a manufacturer and citizen of Dayton. Henry L. Ferneding received his elementary education in the Dayton schools, after which he was entered as a pupil at Saint Mary's institute, a Catholic college situated in the southern part of the city, where he remained for five years, graduating in the year 1890. The following year he continued his studies at the university of Notre Dame, near South Bend, Ind., finishing his course there two years later, after which he returned to Dayton to enter upon the study of the law. Mr. Ferneding had the good fortune to prepare for the bar under the tutelage of Hon. John A. McMahon, of the firm of McMahon & McMahon, in whose office he remained for three years. In the fall of 1895 he alternated his time between his studies in this office and his attendance at the Cincinnati Law school, graduating from the latter institution and being admitted to the bar in the following spring. He continued in the office of McMahon & McMahon until November 1, 1896, when he effected a partnership with Hon. Charles W. Elliff in the practice of law under the firm name above given.

DWARD W. HANLEY, secretary and treasurer of the Dayton Gas & Fuel company, was born in Dayton on October 13, 1858, and is of Irish-American descent, his parents being Joseph and Anna Hanley, both natives of Ireland. The mother survives and resides in Dayton. Edward W. attended the public schools in early boyhood, but left his studies at the age of fourteen years and went to work for the firm of W. P. Callahan & Co. After a year spent in the shops of that firm, young Hanley went to the Barney-Smith car shops, where he spent five years. In 1879, having determined to educate himself more thoroughly, the young man left the car works and entered upon a course in the Miami Commercial college.

In 1880 he entered the employ of Patterson & Co., coal dealers, and later he was in the employ of the Southern Ohio Coal & Iron company, spending about four years in the coal business. In 1884 Mr. Hanley became deputy clerk under County Clerk George W. Knecht, of Montgomery county, which position he held until September, 1886, when he became first assistant postmaster at Dayton, where he remained until September, 1889. In November,

1890, Mr. Hanley began the publication of the Sunday World newspaper, which he continued until July, 1891, when he disposed of the publication and accepted the position of agent of the Dayton Natural Gas company. At the reorganization of the above corporation, in 1893, Mr. Hanley was made a director, secretary and treasurer of both the Dayton Gas & Fuel company and the Miami Valley Gas & Fuel company, two separate organizations, but under the same control. Mr. Hanley also occupies the position of director and secretary of the Troy (Ohio) Gas company, and the same relation to the Troy (Ohio) Electric Light & Power company. He is also a director in the Miami Loan & Building association of Dayton. Mr. Hanley enjoys quite a reputation as a writer, and has contributed to numerous publications for the past ten years. He has also written quite a number of humorous and sentimental songs. As a reciter and general entertainer he also has quite a reputation. Mr. Hanley was married on December 7, 1881, to Miss Carrie J., a daughter of the late Thomas D. Hale.

Mr. Hanley, in each of his varied occupations, has made friends and built for himself a good and enduring reputation. His personal popularity grows not only out of his business ability and integrity, but from his unfailing geniality of disposition and sense of humor.

RENANIAN DUPUY, M. D., one of the prominent physicians and surgeons of Dayton, Ohio, was born in Lewis county, Ky., on June 17, .1864, and is the son of Richard and Martha Dupuy. The mother died shortly after the close of the late war; the father is still living and is eighty years of age.

the' first crusade Hugues Du Puy, a French knight, and his three sons, accompanied Godefroy de Bouillon to Palestine, and in about the year 1 1 1 3 Raymond DePuy founded and was the first grand master of the military order of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, afterward styled the Knights of Malta. In later years the family was identified with the reformed religion of France as Huguenots. Bartholomew Dupuy was the immediate progenitor of the Virginia family. He entered the French army at the age of eighteen and served fourteen years, becoming an officer of the guards of the king, Louis IV. Shortly after the revocation of the edict of Nantes, which was followed by the persecutions which drove the Huguenots from France, he married the Countess Susanna Lavillon, also a Huguenot, and retired to his country seat. But he was now compelled to flee the country on account of the religious persecution mentioned. He and his wife resided for about fourteen years in Germany and about two years in England, and in the year 1700 they came to Virginia and settled in King William parish, on James river, above Richmond, on lands granted to Huguenot refugees. There the old Huguenot and his wife lived many years. Their posterity are found in Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Missouri, Ohio and other states of the Union. The grandfather of Dr. Dupuy was Moses Dupuy, a direct descendant of Bartholomew Dupuy.

Dr. Dupuy was brought to Ironton, Ohio, by his parents in the fall of 1865. He was educated in the public schools of that city, graduating from the high school in 1880. He learned the leather business with his father, who owns a large tannery in Ironton. He attended the medical department of the Miami university of Cincinnati, and graduated in March, 1889. He served as assistant surgeon at the Central branch National Military Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, from April i, 1889, to March 31, 1890. He was the first resident physician and surgeon of the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors' Orphans' home, at Xenia, from September, 1890, to May, 1892, during which time the present fine hospital at that home was built. In September, 1892, Dr. Dupuy located in Dayton, where he has since resided and practiced his profession. Dr. Dupuy is a member of the American Medical association, and of the Montgomery county Medical society, and is secretary of the board of examining surgeons for pensions at the national military home. On March 1, 1896, the doctor was elected an honorary member of the Union Veterans' union, in recognition of his services in the interest of the veterans of the late war, their widows and orphans, which honor has been conferred upon but two other persons in the history of the order. Shortly after being elected to this order he was appointed aid-de-camp, with rank of colonel, upon the staff of the commander-in-chief. Dr. Dupuy was colonel of the Tenth regiment, uniform rank, Knights of Pythias of Ohio, for four years, and was then placed upon the staff of the brigade commander of that order. In politics Dr. Dupuy is a democrat, and is chairman of the Montgomery county central committee. He is unmarried, and resides at No. 120 South Ludlow street.

EWIS M. FANSHER, senior member of the firm of Fansher Bros., soap manufacturers, Dayton, Ohio, was born in Randolph county, Ind., August 4, 1854, a son of William and Emily (Gray) Fansher.

William Fansher was a wagonmaker by trade, was an Odd Fellow fraternally and politically was a republican. His death took place in Memphis, Tenn., in 1863, from disease contracted while serving in an Indiana infantry regiment in defense of the Union during the war of the Rebellion, he being at the time a corporal of his company. He was the father of four children, viz: Martin D., now deceased, Lewis M., William I. and Mary E. A., wife of George Baker, a farmer residing near Arcanum, Ohio. Mrs. Emily Fansher, after her husband's death, was married to George Booher, and is still living.

Lewis M. Fansher, whose name opens this biography, passed his boyhood on an Indiana farm, was educated in the Farmland (Ind.) high school, and at the age of seventeen years began teaching in the district schools; when twenty years old he entered Antioch college, Yellow Springs, Greene county, Ohio, taking the preparatory course and two years of the college course, when failing health precluded further study; again he resorted to schoolteaching, which he followed for several years, the last two being passed just east of Dayton.

In 1884, in partnership with his brother William I., after two or three years of other business ventures, he embarked in the soap manufacturing business, in which he is still engaged. The firm produce a bar of soap, which is designed for domestic and general laundry purposes, and a laundry chip soap, for the use of steam laundries - the former being disposed of mostly in Dayton, while the latter meets with an extensive sale throughout several of the states; they also manufacture a compound known as the Anti-slip Pulley Dressing, which is the invention of Louis M. Fansher, and sold all over the United States as a preventive of the slipping of machinery belts.

Lewis M. Fansher was married at Newcastle, in Indiana, in 1874, to Miss Julia A. Swigart, the union resulting in the birth of three children, viz: L. Percy, Pearl and the profession of photography in Dayton. Mr. Fansher has a quiet and handsome home at 417 North Broadway. In politics he is a prohibitionist, is a member of the A. I. U., No. 2, of Dayton, and is recognized as one of the enterprising business men of the city.

William I. Fansher, junior partner in the firm of Fansher Bros., was born in Randolph county, Ind., August 31, 1858, and is the younger brother of Lewis M. Fansher. He was educated in the public schools of his district and remained on the home farm until twenty years of age. He worked for a year or two at the carpenter's trade in Darke county, Ohio, and in 1 88 r came to Dayton, and for two years engaged in the manufacture of spring beds, in partnership with his brother Lewis, and for one year manufactured a hoisting-jack for wagons, William I. acting as salesman chiefly. In 1884, as related above, the soap factory was established, but on a very small scale and against strong competition. At times the brothers found it difficult to raise the means with which to purchase the stock from which the soap was made, and to meet the established trade of other manufacturers was a difficult task; but, by persistency of purpose, incessant toil and excellence of production, they surmounted all obstacles, the result being that already narrated. In this business William I. has attended to the outside affairs, effecting sales, making collections, etc., and proving himself to be a thorough business man. He is a member of the A. I. U., No. 2, of Dayton, and in politics is in accord with his brother.

William I. Fansher was married, February 5, 1884, to Miss Izora Leatherman, daughter of Frederick Leatherman, and to this marriage have been born three children, viz: Frederick W., Robert Gray and Susie May, the last two named being twins. The parents are members of the Summit street United Brethren church, in which Mr. Fansher is a steward, taking an active part in both church and Sabbath-school work. His pleasant home is at 123 Summit street, in a part of the city which possesses every church and social advantage.

y^y^lLLlAM HANBY FLACK, plumber Mi I and gasfitter, of Dayton, Ohio, is a 111 native of this state and was born in Marion county, March 13, 1846.

Rev. Peter Flack, his father, was an itinerant minister in the United Brethren church, and his home was therefore frequently changed, until about 1861, when he located in Columbus, Ohio. He was a native of Prussia, but married, in the United States, Miss Lucretia Brooks, a native of Vermont, and to this union were born twelve children, of whom William H. was the eldest, and eight of whom are still living. Rev. Mr. Flack was a strong Union man during the late Civil war, and served his adopted country 100 days in the army during that conflict. He lost his wife in Moultrie county, 111., where she died in 1880, at the age of sixty-four years, while his own death took place in 1 889, when he had reached his seventysixth year.

William H. Flack was a lad of fifteen years when the family located in Columbus. Equally patriotic with his father, he first served for six months in the Fifth Ohio independent battalion of cavalry, and while in this service did guard duty in Kentucky, fought guerrillas and protected loyal citizens in their lives and property. In 1863, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted at Columbus in company K, Twentysixth Ohio volunteer infantry, the regiment being at that time at home on veteran furlough. The Twenty-sixth was assigned to the army of the Cumberland, and thence young Flack went under Gen. Sherman, to Atlanta, returning with Gen. Thomas to Nashville, Tenn., where the army confronted the rebel general, Hood, and drove him out of the state. The winter of 1864-65 was spent at Huntsville, Ala., and in the spring of 1865 Mr. Flack accompanied Gen. Stanley, commander of the Fourth corps, on the expedition to Texas, and was mustered out at Victoria, Tex., after having served two years and a half under this enlistment.

In the meantime the parental residence had been transferred to Illinois, but Mr. Flack returned to Columbus, where he resided until 1875, when he came to Dayton and formed a partnership with Rockey Bros., in plumbing, etc. In 1880 he withdrew from this firm and established himself on the West side, adding new features to his business as seemed to be demanded by his trade, and he now stands among the prominent business men of Dayton.

Mr. Flack was united in marriage in January, 1869, at Columbus, with Miss Josephine M. Rockey, a sister of his former partners in business, and a native of Franklin county, Ohio. This union has been blessed with three children, viz : Vida R., Willie and Mattie - the last two being twins, who are attending school. In his politics Mr. Flack is an active and energetic worker for the success of the republican party in national affairs, but locally he sustains good men in preference to doubtful measures. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the G. A. R. ; and the church relations of the family are with the Methodist Episcopal church.

The Flack ancestry were agriculturists for generations, of steady habits and temperate in all things, and consequently long-lived. The father of William H. was but two years of age when his parents came to America and settled in Frederick county, Md., where he was educated and passed all his mature years in the ministry. The Rockey family are represented by Mrs. Flack as having settled in the mountains of Vermont at a very early date in the history of this country.

ARION RICHARDSON DRURYD. D., eldest son of Rev. Morgan S. and Elizabeth (Lambert) Drury, was born at Mendon, Madison county, Ind., December 27, 1849. His greatgrandfather, William Drury, was a native of England and on coming to this country settled in Franklin county. Pa. There his grandfather, Arnold Drury, was born in 1793. William Drury removed to Henry county, Ind., in 1808 or 1810. There his son Arnold enlisted in the service of his country and served during the war of 1812.

Morgan S. Drury was born in Henry county, Ind., August 31, 1826. In 1848 he married Elizabeth Lambert, who was born in Rockingham county, Va., June 30, 1826, of German parents and learned to speak the German language. When a child her parents removed to Madison county, Ind. She and her husband went to Iowa in the summer of 1853, and located on a farm in Winneshiek county. These were pioneer days in the west, and the early settlers there were subjected to the many privations and hardships peculiar to a new country. Here Marion R. Drury was taught the industries of the farm. From a very early age his summers were spent in farm labor and his winters in the neighboring village school. In March, 1866, it was decided that he should have the advantages of a higher education, and accordingly he was sent to Western college, a school of the church to which his father belonged, located at Western, in Linn county, Iowa. Here he pursued the full curriculum in the classical department, graduating June 19,

1872, with the degree of bachelor of arts. Three years later, in 1875, he received from the same institution the degree of master of arts in cursu.

June 20, 1872, Mr. Drury was married to Miss Lucinda Denny, of Waubeek, Iowa. They have two children - Florence Blanche, who was married to Herbert E. Foster, of Iowa, September 9, 1896, and Philo Walker, who is twenty years of age and a senior in Western college, now located at Toledo, Iowa.

Mr. Drury entered the ministry of the church of the United Brethren in Christ - the church in which his father had been a minister for many years - in the autumn of 1872, becoming a member of the North Iowa conference. After preaching one year in P'ayette county, Iowa, he determined further to fit himself for his chosen work by taking a course of theological study. He therefore entered Union Biblical seminary, Dayton, Ohio, in October,

1873, from which he was graduated in May, 1875. During the last year in the seminary he served the Miami chapel congregation, near Dayton, as pastor. In the autumn of 1875 Mr. Drury returned to Iowa, and at the conference held in Lisbon he was ordained by Bishop J. J. Glossbrenner. At that conference he was appointed pastor at Toledo, Iowa, where he remained for three years. His next pastorate was at Cedar Rapids. Here the church was weak and without a house of worship. Under his labors a commodious, well-located church edifice was built, and the present flourishing congregation of United Brethren in that city has been the happy result.

In May, 1881, the general conference of the United Brethren church was held at Lisbon, Iowa, a town distant twenty miles from Cedar Rapids. Mr. Drury reported the proceedings of that body for the Cedar Rapids Daily Republican. His work as reporter was so satisfactory that before the conference had completed its work he was offered the assistant editorship of the Religious Telescope, of Dayton, Ohio, the chief organ of his denomination. This position he accepted after some weeks of deliberation, and early in July following he entered upon his new duties on the editorial staff of that journal. This position he held for eight years. In 1889 he was elected, by the general conference of his church, associate editor, which position he now (1896) occupies. Since residing in Dayton he has been secretary of the United Brethren Ministerial association and for three years president of the Dayton United Brethren alliance. In 1891 he became one of the founders of the Hartford street United Brethren church, of whose Sundayschool he has now been five years the superintendent.

In 1887 Mr. Drury and his wife took up the work of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific circle, which furnished a four years' course of study on the university extension plan, graduating at Chautauqua, N. Y. , in August, 1891, and receiving their diplomas from the hands of the Rev. Edward Everett Hale, D. D., of Boston. Mr. Drury is the author of a number of volumes, mostly of a practical character, some of which have reached a very large sale. These are: The Pastor's Pocket Record, the Otterbein Birthday Book, a Handbook for Workers (issued in both English and German), a Pastor's Pocket Companion, At Hand, and a dedication service entitled, The House of the Lord. He is also the author of a prize essay on The Tobacco Habit, a tract on How to Deal with Inquirers, and has written some very valuable articles for cyclopedias. He has likewise been one of the book editors of the United Brethren Publishing house, of Dayton, Ohio, for many years.

In 1891 the degree of doctor of divinity was conferred upon Mr. Drury by the Western college, his alma mater, and also by the Westfield college of Illinois.

BREDERICK ECKI, a well-known citizen of Dayton, and treasurer of the Permanent Building & Savings association, was born in Holmes county, Ohio, May 8, 1844, a son of Jacob and Catherine (Spreng) Ecki, natives of Alsace, France. The father, Jacob, had served a year in the French army, when he purchased his release, in order to come to America. He brought his family across the ocean in 1835 and settled in Holmes county, where he bought 160 acres of land, then practically in the wilderness, the woods abounding with all kinds of game. His means were somewhat limited, but he was industrious and ambitious, set bravely to work with his ax, cleared up his land and built the primitive log cabin, and by dint of perseverance cleared up his original farm, adding to it until he had accumulated 267 acres of arable land. He and his wife were members of the Evangelical association, and in that faith the father died in 1868 and the mother in 1881, the parents of twelve children, of whom five are deceased. Of the seven still living, three are residents of Dayton.

Frederick Ecki was reared on the farm in Holmes county and inured to out-door labor, but found time to secure an education in the common schools, which were then quite well advanced in the methods of public instruction. At the age of eighteen years, in April, 1862, he came to Dayton and began an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade with W. H. Pease, the establishment being now known as the Buckeye Iron & Brass works. While here employed, he enlisted in May, 1864, in company B, One Hundred and Thirty-first regiment Ohio national guard, under Capt. James Turner, which regiment was called out for the 100-day service and did garrison duty at Fort Federal Hill, Baltimore, Md. On his return from this military service, he resumed his engagement with the Buckeye Iron & Brass works, with which he has since been uninterruptedly employed - making a total of thirtyfive years in that service, with the exception of the three months that he was in the army. In April, 1874, he assisted in organizing the Permanent Building & Savings association, in which he has been a director for about sixteen years, and for nearly eight years the treasurer.

Mr. Ecki was happily married, in Dayton, in 1867, to Miss Fredericka Kirschner, who was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1845, and who, having lost her mother, was brought at the age of six years to the United States by her father. To this marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Ecki have been born seven children, in the following order: Clara, Ida, W. H. H., George F. , Florence, Ellen (deceased) and Anna C. The parents are members of the Evangelical association, and in politics Mr. Ecki is a republican. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the National Union, and socially he holds that high position in the esteem of his neighbors and the surrounding country which his industry and correct deportment as a citizen through life have so worthily won.

W. H. H. Ecki, the third child and firstborn son of Frederick and Fredericka Ecki, was born December 10, 1871, and was educated in the common schools of Dayton, graduating from the high school in 1890: he then read law with O. F. Davisson, graduated from the Cincinnati Law school in 1893, and was admitted to practice in the same year. He has met with success, and has his office

EV. E. LEE FLECK, pastor of the Second English Lutheran church, Dayton, Ohio, was born in Blair county, Pa., September 8, 1856, and is of German extraction.

Conrad M. and Mary (Crossman) Fleck, his parents, were born in Blair county and Indiana county, Pa., respectively, and Peter Fleck, grandfather of Conrad M. , was a hero of the Revolutionary war, his remains lying now interred in the cemetery at Culp postoffice, or, as the place is known historically, Sinking Valley. Conrad M. Fleck was a member of the Twelfth Pennsylvania cavalry during the late Civil war, and sustained serious and lasting injuries in defense of his country's flag. The family of Conrad M. Fleck and wife comprised eleven children; of these Anna died in her third year; Benjamin C. is a teacher, is married, and lives in Indiana county, Pa.; E. Lee is our subject; Bliss L. , twin of E. Lee, is the wife of Levi Knott, residing in Altoona, Pa.; Mary Catherine died at eighteen years of age, unmarried; Elmer Ellsworth died in childhood; Martha Ellen is married to Jacob Otto, and lives in Loco, Ind. ; Ethelbert died in childhood, her sister, Alice May, dying at the same time; Irene Gertrude, wife of Jacob Tate, resides in Altoona, Pa. ; and Sallie E. is now Mrs. Henry Emery, and lives in Sinking Valley, Pa. The mother of this family died February 25, 1895, on the old homestead in Blair county, Pa., where the father still makes his home.

on a farm for one or two seasons, then went to Iowa, worked upon the railroad for a short time, and then resumed farming in Cedar county, in the same state. He next attended the high school at Clarence, Iowa, and then, in September, 1878, entered the Carthage college, in Hancock county, 111. Here he completed a six-years' collegiate course and passed his final examinations, but before the time arrived for the award of diplomas the institution collapsed under financial difficulties. Mr. Fleck then returned to Clarence, Iowa, but in the fall of the same year, 1884, came to Ohio and entered the Wittenberg Theological seminary at Springfield, from which he graduated in May, 1887. He immediately began the work of organizing the Third English Lutheran congregation of that city, holding, at the same time, the pastorate of the congregation at Rockway, a suburb of Springfield.

In March, 1888, Mr. Fleck married Miss Olive Hosford, who had been his classmate during his entire course at Carthage college, and was graduated in the same year; being a native of Hamilton, in the same county, she succeeded in securing her diploma and was properly entered on the catalogue, a fortune that did not fall to the lot of non-residents. In the fall of the year of his marriage the health of Mr. Fleck failed, and he was obliged to resign his ministerial duties and retire to Hamilton, 111., to recuperate. In August, 1889, having somewhat regained his health, he accepted the pastorate of a congregation at Sidney, Neb., where he remained until November, 1893, when he was called to Dayton and assumed the pastoral charge of the Second English Lutheran church, although the church building had not at that time been erected. Mr. Fleck organized the mission, and during the summer of 1894 a handsome and commodious edifice was completed at a cost of $16,- 000, with a seating capacity for about 800 persons. The membership of the church is 150, and the Sunday-school enrollment is 240. On the organization of the congregation, eighty members were drawn from the First English Lutheran church, a proportionate number of Sunday-school scholars were similarly obtained and other communicants and scholars came from sundry outside societies.

The parents of Mrs. E. Lee Fleck, Harlow and Mary (Wright) Hosford, were born in Ohio and Scotland, respectively - the father in Brookfield, Trumbull county, in 1824, and the mother near Edinburgh, in the same year. The Wright family came to America when their daughter Mary (Mrs. Hosford) was but fifteen years of age, and settled in Hamilton, 111., where Mr. and Mrs. Hosford were married. To this last-named couple have been born six children, viz: Harris Truman, a farmer, and married; Anna Elizabeth, wife of Monroe Hanson; Isaac Newton, married, and by calling a farmer; Edwin Wright, also a farmer; Harriet Olive, now Mrs. Fleck, and Mary Jane, the wife of Samuel Hyndman; all of whom, excepting Mrs. Fleck, live in or near Hamilton, 111. The mother of this family was laid to rest April 6, 1895, and the father, who had his experience in the outbreak against the Mormons at Nauvoo, 111., still lives near Hamilton, not far from the scene of the Mormon troubles of about the year 1846.

To the happy marriage of Rev. and Mrs. E. Lee Fleck have been born three children, viz: Vera Mary Olive, in Hamilton, 111., February 1, 1891; Harlow Conrad, in Sidney, Neb., December 28, 1892; and Irene Belle, in Dayton, Ohio, April 26, 1895.

In his politics Mr. Fleck is independent of party lines, but is strong in his advocacy of temperance. He was one of the champions of the prohibitory amendment to the constitution of Iowa, in 1882, and his proclivities are still in favor of prohibition, as that word is

BD. BITTINGER, M. D., of Dayton, Ohio, was born in Elkhart, Ind., February 6, 1865. He is a son of George L. and Augusta (Johnson) Bittinger, both of whom are still living and are residing in Huntington county, near Fort Wayne, Ind. The father is a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of New York state. Both went to Indiana during their younger days, and it was in that state that their marriage occurred.

Dr. Bittinger was reared in Elkhart and Fort Wayne. His early education was obtained in the Fort Wayne public schools; later he attended Taylor university (then known as the Methodist college), at Fort Wayne, following which he began studying medicine, in that city, with Dr. G. A. Ross, a well-known physician, as his preceptor. He took the regular course at the Hahnemann Medical college and hospital, Chicago, graduating from that institution in 1888, and first entered upon the practice of medicine in Chicago, where for a time he was associated with Dr. W. S. Harvey, one of the professors of Hahnemann college. In the summer of 1888, Dr. Bittinger located in Dayton, and, opening an office at his present location, No. 23 West Fourth street, began what has proved a most successful career in medicine and surgery. He is a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, of the Ohio state Medical society, and of the Dayton Homeopathic Medical society, being president of the last named body. Dr. Bittinger is surgeon for several of the street railway companies of Dayton, and a medical examiner for several well-known life insurance companies, among which are the Pacific Mutual, of San Francisco, and the American Union, of New

York city, and is chief medical director for the United Order of American Craftsmen. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and of the Present Day club. As a physician and surgeon Dr. Bittinger ranks among the prominent members of his school in Dayton and Montgomery county. As a citizen he is progressive and liberal in his ideas, ready always to lend his assistance to movements looking toward the advancement of the city and the public good. His career, both professional and private, has been not only successful, but consistent, and has earned for him a place among the representative citizens of the beautiful Gem City.

Dr. Bittinger was married in the fall of 1889, to Mrs. Jennie Darrow (nee Emerick), a member of one of the old and influential families of Germantown, Ohio. To their union two daughters - Eugenia and Ruth - have been born, who, with one son, Willie, from the first marriage of Mrs. Bittinger, constitute the family circle.

a APT. WILLIAM EDWARD FAY, commanding company Seven, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers at Dayton, was born at Franklin, Warren county, Ohio, on December 28, 1837. His parents removed to Cincinnati, where he grew to manhood under the parental roof, and received a liberal and thoroughly practical education, which was completed in the Kentucky Military institute, where he was graduated in 1859. This school was originated on a plan similar to that of West Point Military academy, and held a position second only to that institution.

Anthony Fay, the father of William E., was a native of New England, who had made a liberal fortune in the lumber business at Cincinnati, Ohio. He was a son of Massachusetts, and was proud to trace his lineage back to Plymouth Rock. His wife, Mary Vail, was a native of the county where William E. was born, and her family was among the first to establish itself in western Ohio. Her father, Moses Vail, was a Quaker, and it is said that he refused to locate in Cincinnati, but kept on to Franklin, because he thought the former would never grow into a large city. He died when his daughter Mary was twelve years of age. The Vails were a numerous family, and it is said that at one time half the population of Franklin were, in one way and another, related to it.

Capt. Fay has two sisters and one brother now living, he being the eldest of the family. One sister, Mrs. Emma Hamilton, the widow of Samuel Hamilton, is now abroad with her son, who has just attained his majority. Mr. Hamilton was a very successful banker and realestate dealer. George Anthony Fay, the youngest of the living children, is a resident of Dyersville, Tenn., where he is engaged in an extensive lumber business. He made a very admirable record as an officer of the United States revenue department. The other member of the family, Mrs. Laura Pugh, has her home at Shelbyville, Ind.

Capt. Fay began his mature life with an inclination towards the vocation of teaching; but almost immediately on his graduation, passed into the military service of the United States, for which he was so well prepared. During the presidential campaign of i860, his name was prominently associated with the organization and training of the Wide Awakes, his company leading the great procession in the city of Cincinnati, that followed the election of Lincoln. He entered the army August 6, 1861, receiving the appointment of adjutant of the Thirteenth Missouri volunteer infantry, organized at Saint Louis. His regiment was in the western army, and participated in many important and memorable engagements. At Fort Donelson it was the first regiment to place a flag on the captured fortifications. Here 15,000 prisoners were taken, and half as many more broke the lines and escaped. At Shiloh the Thirteenth was in the thick of the fight, and here Capt. Fay had his horse shot from under him, the animal falling upon him and causing an injury from which he has never recovered. He, however, remained on the field and accompanied his regiment to Corinth, where he was prostrated with typhoid fever, and sent to the hospital. Upon his recovery, he reported for duty, and was with his regiment during the winter of 1862-3 in the vicinity of Corinth. In the early spring following, he was ordered to Trenton, Tenn., where two companies of his regiment were mounted and served as scouts. Here a rebel colonel was captured, whom Capt. Fay accompanied to Jackson, Tenn., alone, and there turned hitn over to the proper authorities. After the war had closed the father of Capt. Fay went south and built a mill near where this officer (Col. Dawson) had his home, and the two families grew to be the most intimate friends.

Capt. Fay took part in the siege and capture of Vicksburg, being among those soldiers who were stationed at Haines' Bluff, on the Yazoo river, to protect the rear of the Union forces from threatened attacks by Gen. Johnston. After the fall of Vicksburg he was ordered to Helena, Ark., in Kimball's provisional division. By this time Adjutant Fay's ability and special qualifications lifted him into prominence, and he was successively appointed assistant adjutant-general and assistant inspector-general of the Second brigade of this provisional division, also known as the Arkansas expedition. The city of Little Rock was easily captured in September, 1863, and here the command remained until the spring of 1864, when it was started to join Gen. Banks' expedition against Shreveport, and had progressed as far as Camden, Ark., when word came that that movement had failed. It was confronted by a strong rebel force, and at once began a running fight to reach Little Rock. It had several encounters with the enemy, but finally was the first to reach and hold the city.; Our subject formed his line of battle five times in one day on this forced march and was always ready to fight whenever opportunity was offered. The last battle in which he participated occurred in the march above described, and was fought at Jenkins' Ferry, April 30, 1864, on the Saline river. He was mustered out of service in November, 1864, with the rank of captain, being at home at that time seriously sick.

Capt. Fay established himself as a lumber merchant at Saginaw, Mich., when his health had sufficiently recovered to admit of his engaging in active business. In 1870, after four years' labor in this line, he returned to Cincinnati, and secured a political office, which he held for several years. He was then engaged as bookkeeper in the counting room of an extensive wholesale hardware firm. Later on, this same firm put him in charge of its foundries and shops, which position he resigned to enter the office of the Cincinnati exposition, where he served as chief clerk in the secretary's office, attending to its correspondence and advertising. He proved a very valuable worker for this corporation, and it was reluctant to let him enter the service of the city, which desired him to act as inspector of street improvements. He, however, severed his connection with the exposition, and was in the employment of the city for several years, his duties being very agreeable to him, as they were largely in the field of civil engineering. Capt. Fay was then connected with the construction of a railroad in northern Georgia, where he acted as paymaster of the contractors, and confidential secretary of the management. When this road was completed, he returned to Cincinnati, and opened an office as estimating engineer, receiving plans from architects, and giving figures as to the cost of excavations, foundations, bridges, railroad work, and similar construction. In this he was highly successful until the depression of 1893 put an end to active work, and deprived him of remunerative business. He entered the home in May, 1896, and was almost immediately put into the command which he now holds.

Capt. Fay and Miss Laura Eugenia Dalton were married January 15, 1867. She was of Revolutionary stock, and her father, Joseph Dalton, true to the family traditions, was a soldier in the Union forces, enlisting from Oshkosh, Wis. No children were born to Captain and Mrs. Fay, and after an almost ideal wedded life of nearly twenty-nine years, he was called upon to mourn her death, which occurred September 16, 1895, at Cincinnati.

Capt. Fay is a member of Union Veteran Legion, No. 41, of Cincinnati, and has long been identified with the Christian or Disciples' church. He is an uncompromising republican, coming of an old-line whig family for two generations back. Personally he is a gentleman of education and broad culture, whose companionship is a privilege to all who admire true character and genuine manliness.

ELORA D. FLEMING, junior member of the firm of Maxwell & Fleming, was born in Union City, Ind., February 20, 1870, and is the son of David and Catherine Fleming, both natives of Ohio. Mr. Fleming's paternal ancestors were Scotch, his great-great-grandfather having been a Highlander. His grandfather came to America prior to the American Revolution, and was a soldier in that glorious struggle. Mrs. Catherine Fleming, whose maiden name was Allen, and who is still living, is descended from an old English family, which was first represented in the United States by her greatgrandfather, who settled, many years ago, in Virginia. The family of David and Catherine Fleming consisted .of two children, William H., an engineer of Dayton, and Zelora D.

Zelora D. Fleming was educated in Saint Mary's institute, Dayton, and the Dayton Commercial college, graduating from the latter institution. He then became a clerk with a mercantile firm of the city, in which capacity he continued until entering the service of the Illinois Central railroad, where he was employed for eighteen months, becoming proficient in telegraphy during that time. For nine months he was an employee of the P. , C., C. & St. L. railroad, running between Chicago and Logansport, and in 1891 engaged in business for himself, teaming and furnishing teams for the Rathbone Lumber company, Chicago. He was thus engaged until ,1893, in September of which year he disposed of his business at Harvey, 111. , a suburb of Chicago, and his headquarters, where he purchased and still owns valuable real estate. He returned to Dayton, and after about eighteen months embarked in his present business, purchasing property for the purpose on National avenue. This business consists of handling cut and dressed stone of all kinds, obtained from the firm's quarries, to operate which requires the labor of from fourteen to twenty men during the greater part of the year. The annual output is as high as 288 carloads of stone, the greater part of which is disposed of in Dayton, though quite a large amount is shipped to other cities of Ohio and states adjacent. In addition to the business of the firm, Mr. Fleming is individually engaged in handling coal and fuel of all

On the 20th day of August, 1891, Mr. Fleming married Miss Fay Mary McCormick, who is a native of the county Mayo, Ireland, and was brought to the United States when eight years of age, her parents locating first in New York city, thence moving to Yonkers, where, in Mount Saint Vincent convent, she received a liberal education. Her brother, Michael McCormick, is a merchant tailor of Dayton, in which calling two other brothers are aiso engaged - James in this city and John in the city of New York; another brother, Dennis McCormick, is a resident of Indianapolis, Ind., and her only sister, Della lives in New York city. The father of Mrs. Fleming and two sons, Patrick and William, reside, at this time, in their native isle.

Mr. Fleming has the mature judgment, sagacity and other qualities of the successful business man and citizen. He is independent in politics and liberal in his religious views.

^y^ARREN E. BEEGHLY, one of the MM I younger members of the Dayton wJLjl bar, was born in Montgomery county, at the Beeghly homestead, near the soldiers' home. His parents were Abraham and Catherine (Wolf) Beeghly, well known and greatly esteemed in their community.

Warren E. Beeghly received his preliminary education in the public schools of Dayton, and afterward attended Ashland college for two years. He then entered the Miami Commercial college, graduating from that institution in 1885. He next taught school for three years in district No. 12, Van Buren township. Then, attending the Cincinnati Law college, he graduated there in June, 1890, and on the 1st of September following began the practice of the law in the office of the Hon. George W.

Mr. Beeghly organized the Buckeye Building & Loan association April 1, 1892, and has since been its secretary and attorney. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of the K. A. E. O., of the Independent Order of Foresters, and of Mystic lodge, F. & A. M. In all these fraternities he is in good standing and is considered a useful member, as he is endowed with sound judgment, and with good business qualifications. Mr. Beeghly is as yet unmarried.

a APT. JAMES R. FLETCHER, commander of company Twelve, National Home, D. V. S., was born in London, England, January 20, 1845; his parents, Samuel and Margaret (Castle) Fletcher, married in England, and came to the United States when he was eighteen months old, settling at Trenton, N. J., where the father for many years held a prominent position in the iron mills. Samuel Fletcher was a successful business man, accumulated a handsome competence and, died in the city of Trenton at the age of fifty-five years; his wife survived him and reached the ripe old age of eighty-two, before being called from the scene of her earthly labors.

The early years of Capt. Fletcher were spent in Trenton, in the schools of which he received his first educational training and later obtained a knowledge of the higher branches of learning in an academy of the city, completing the prescribed course of study. On the 5th day of June, 1862, he enlisted in company I, Fourteenth New Jersey infantry, and after the battle of Winchester, where his bravery under most trying circumstances attracted the attention of the officers of the regiment, he was promoted first lieutenant of company D, in recognition of meritorious conduct. He commanded his company during the remaining years of the war, and proved a true soldier at the head of his men in many of the bloody battles in which the First brigade, Third division, Sixth army corps, participated. Among the more noted engagements in which he took part were the battles of the Shenandoah valley, Gettysburg, Fredricksburg, the Wilderness and Petersburg, and he was under Gen. Sheridan at the final surrender of the Confederate forces at Appomattox. He was mustered out of the service as first lieutenant, acting captain, in June, 1865, after gallantly serving his country for over three years, which covered the most trying and critical period of the war. His military career thus completed, he returned to the old home in New Jersey, where his mother was then living. After spending three years amid the scenes of his boyhood days, the captain went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he found employment as an iron worker, following his trade in that city during the greater part of fourteen years. He also filled a clerical position in the Cleveland postoffice for some time, and later was an employee in the revenue department at the same place; he was also clerk at the Cataract House in Cleveland, being thus employed when failing health, superinduced by previous exposure while in the army, compelled him to retire from active life and to become an inmate of the national soldiers' home, at Dayton, for treatment. The date of his admission to the home is June 4, 1894, since which time he has filled various official positions, having had charge of company Twelve for about one year. The captain has been married, but at this time is alone in the world, his wife having died, and he having no living children. He is a member of the K. of P. fraternity, belonging to lodge No. 46, Cleveland, of which he is past chancellor, and he was for two years commander of Commodore Perry post, G. A. R., Cleveland. He is an adherent to the principles of the republican party, and was reared in the faith of the Episcopal church.

OSEPH FRANK, ex-meat inspector of the city of Dayton, and one of the well known citizens of Montgomery county, was born in Bavaria, Germany, October 6, 1859. His education was received partly in the old country and partly in the United States. His father, Isaac Frank, brought the family to this country in 1871, coming at once to Dayton, where he is now one of the oldest butchers of this city. Young Frank went to work with his father in the meat business when between sixteen and seventeen years of age, having previously been engaged in driving cattle to and from the stock yards. Remaining with his father till he was nineteen years of age, he then went to Cincinnati, where he was engaged for three years as a butcher. Returning to Dayton, he and his brother, Isadore, embarked in the grocery and meat market business, which they followed for about two years, when Mr. Frank engaged in butchering and dealing in cattle on his own account at Brookville, Montgomery county, Ohio, attending the Dayton market. H^ then spent a year in traveling for his uncle, Jacob Weinreich, formerly president of the Dayton city council, and, upon returning to the occupation of butcher, he purchased the meat market of F. J. Schmitt, on Third street, and operated it for two years. In March, 1891, he accepted the position of city salesman with N. facobs& Co., which he still holds, and on May 1, 1895, he was appointed by the city council meat inspector for the city for one year.

Sarah. Mr. Frank has served several years on the democratic county central committee and is treasurer of the committee and also of the Gravel Hall democratic club, as well as of several societies. He is one of the directors of the Old Men's Invalid home of Cleveland, Ohio; is a member of the Odd Fellows' encampment and of the Knights of Pythias, and holds the position of commissary sergeant on Col. Coffman's staff. He is a member of the Jewish organization known as the O. K. S. B., and is the representative to the grand lodge of the order. In all these various orders and societies Mr. Frank maintains good standing and has the esteem of all the members. In business matters he has always been successful and is in every way a useful and worthy citizen.

ICHAEL FREUDENBERGER, a retired farmer, living at 2612 East Fifth street, Dayton, Ohio, was born near Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, November 25, 1826. He is a son of Christian and Sybilla (Blitz) Freudenberger, both natives of Germany. Two children were born to Christian and Sybilla, viz: Conrad and Michael. Christian Freudenberger was a farmer by occupation, and lived and died in Germany. His first wife, who was the mother of the above-named children, and who was like himself a member of the Lutheran church, died in 1828, and he afterward married Miss Margaret Martin, by whom he had six children. Four of these are still living, as follows: George, John, Catherine, widow of John Kling, and Mary.

reared a family of four children and bore an excellent reputation. The maternal grandfather, Johannes Blitz, was also a native of Germany, reared a family of two children, and died in his native land when over seventy years of age.

Michael Freudenberger was reared on his father's farm in Germany, received a good common-school education, and remained at home until his early manhood. In 1852 he sailed for the United States, landing in New York, and five weeks later came to Dayton, Ohio, where for the next two years he worked for George Harris in his dairy. For one year afterward he was in the employ of Pierce & West, and at the end of this time, established himself in the diary business, in which he was engaged for a period of thirty-two years. His dairy was next to his present place of residence, and was then entirely in the country, timber land extending as far as the present Linden avenue.

On November 7, 1858, he married Miss Magdalena Sauer, daughter of Johannes Adam and Margaret (Eckert) Sauer. To this marriage there have been born twelve children, as follows: Magdalena, Louise, Celia, Elizabeth

K. , Christian, George, William, Emil, Albert, Bertha, August and Ida. Of these, Magdalena, Christian, George, William, Emil and Bertha are dead. Elizabeth K. married William C. Kette, of Dayton, and has two children.

Mr. and Mrs. Freudenberger are members of the German Lutheran church, and in politics Mr. Freudenberger is a democrat. At one time he owned eight acres of land in Dayton, which he platted, and sold off a large part in city lots. He also sold six acres to the National Improvement company, in the eastern part of the city. In 1891 he erected his present comfortable and attractive residence. He has been a citizen of Dayton for forty-five years and has done his share toward bringing about its remarkable growth and development. Few men stand higher in the estimation of their fellow-men than does Mr. Freudenberger, who, although not a native of this country, is yet one of the most patriotic of citizens.

aHRISTIAN FROMM, retired mechanic of Dayton, Ohio, residing at No. 678 South Main street, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, April 18, 1838, and is a son of Christian and Mary Katharina (Seifried) Fromm, also natives of Wurtemberg.

Christian Fromm, the father, was twice married, his first wife being named above, who became the mother of four children, viz: Christian, whose name opens this sketch; Mrs. Katharina Loudenschlager, now a widow and residing in Dayton; Mrs. Fredericka Nohr, who resides on West Fifth street, Dayton, and Mrs. Magdalena Meyers, who has her home in Louisville, Ky. The second marriage of Christian Fromm was with Maria Kopf, also a native of Wurtemberg, and to his marriage were born two daughters, viz: Mrs. Mary J. Darr and Mrs. Louisa Durr, both wives of farmers living in Montgomery county, Ohio.

Christian Fromm, the subject of this notice, received a good common-school education in his native country, and at the age of fifteen came to America with his parents, who settled in Dayton, Ohio, in 1853. Here the father resumed his trade of stonecutting, which he had learned and followed in the old country, and which he here continued until advancing years compelled his retirement. His death occurred in Dayton, August 6, 1891, his second wife having died on May 8th of the same year.

Christian Fromm, Jr., on coming to Dayton with his parents, was at once apprenticed to the cabinetmaking trade, and followed that vocation until the opening of the Civil war, when he enlisted, in August, 1861, in company B, First Ohio volunteer infantry, which was assigned to the army of the Cumberland. Mr. Fromm took part in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Miss., Perryville, Stone River, Murfreesboro, Kenesaw Mountain, in the siege and in the capture of Atlanta, where his term of enlistment expired, and the regiment was ordered to Chattanooga, where it was mustered out o.f the service. Mr. Fromm then returned to Dayton, where he entered the employ of the Globe Iron works, and there spent twenty-eight years, and in 1894 retired from active labor.

The marriage of Mr. Fromm took place in Dayton, September 18, 1865, to Miss Lizzie Eberle, a native of Boston, Mass., and of German parentage. This union was blessed by the birth of five children, who, in order of birth, were named Otto F. , now a hardware merchant of Dayton; Bertha, Edith, Emma and Cora, the daughters being still unmarried and living with their parents. A peculiarity with the Fromm family is the fact that to every marriage that has taken place for generations back, the first child born was the only son. The year 1891 was one of deepest sorrow to Mr. Fromm, for in that year he was bereft of father, step-mother and wife - the death of his wife occurring March 25th.

In religion Mr. Fromm was reared in the faith of the German Lutheran church. His children are members of the English Lutheran church, of which his wife was also a devout member. Fraternally, Mr. Fromm is a member of Old Guard post, No. 21, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics, he entered the army as a democrat, but voted for Lincoln for the presidency in 1864, and has ever since been a republican.

induced by the fact that his health was beginning to fail through encroaching years. He had charge of the millwright department of the Globe Iron works for many years, which is proof that his reputation as an excellent mechanic was well earned. At one time during the long period of his employment by this company he temporarily withdrew and engaged in the furniture business, for which his early experience had well qualified him, but the panic of 1873 proved fatal to this venture; otherwise, he has enjoyed a prosperous career. He has the good fortune to be surrounded by a loving family and a host of warm-hearted friends, who highly esteem him, and his waning days are passing in peace and comfort.

BREDERICK P. BEAVER, founder and president of the Beaver Soap company, situated at the corner of Hopeland and Concord streets, Dayton, Ohio, was born in this city, November 29, 1845. He is a son of J. N. F. and Caroline (Snyder) Beaver, both of whom have died, the former in August, 1856, and the latter in March, 1861. They were natives of Pennsylvania, the one having been born near Chambersburg, the other near Lancaster, and were respectively of French Huguenot and Prussian descent. They came to Ohio before they were married, the mother in 1819, and the father in 1835, and were married in Dayton, Ohio, in 1844. For some years J. N. F. Beaver was one of Dayton's active business men, being first engaged in the manufacture of candy, and later in selling coal and wood. Still later he became engaged in the wholesale notion business with Jacob Coffman, under the firm name of Coffman & Beaver, which style continued until the death of Mr. Beaver. He was a deacon in the Baptist church, and was a strong republican. His parents, Philip Beaver and

George Snyder and his wife, parents of Caroline Snyder, also came to Dayton and here died. The former for a time conducted a hotel where the present Cooper house stands.

Frankfort, Ind., a railroad agent for the Vandalia line; Hattie A., widow, of J. A. Crebs, of Dayton; Charles H., who died in infancy; Ida A., wife of Edward Canby, of Dayton, Ohio; and Frederick P.

Frederick P. Beaver was educated in the public schools of Dayton, and at the age of sixteen was a paper carrier. Afterward he took a commercial course, and in 1863 accepted a position as bookkeeper with Chamberlain & Parker. On May 12, 1864, he enlisted in the 100 days' service, and, after serving his time in the army, returned to Dayton, re-entered the employ of Chamberlain & Parker, and remained with them until 1869. Then, going to Toledo, he carried on a branch store for them under the name of Frederick P. Beaver, being thus occupied for two years. * Going then to Hopkinsville, Ky. , he became a member of the firm of Brownell, Orr & Co., the firm operating a planing-mill. Here he remained one year, when he returned to Dayton and purchased the interest of Edward Sweet, in the firm of Chadwick & Sweet, furniture dealers, the name becomingChadwick&Beaver, and so continuing for five years. Mr. Beaver then established the Silver Star baking powder business, which lasted but a few months, and in which he lost most of his earnings; but, nothing daunted by failure, he started, in a small way and with but small capital, the Beaver Soap company, which, under the management of himself and associates, has grown to its present prosperous condition. It was started in 1879 in a one-story frame building on Commercial street, near Fifth, and the first year's output did not exceed 1,200 gross of soap. Since then he has made four removals, enlarging the business each time, or rather moving only when the increasing business rendered it necessary. The present plant has 400 feet street frontage and is seventy feet deep. The buildings have two and a half acres of flooring, and constitute one of the large manufacturing establishments in the city of Dayton, which city is known all over the civilized world for the great number and excellence of her manufacturing industries. There are employed in these works some seventy-five hands, and the goods manufactured are sold all over the country - Grandpa's Wonder, Beaver's Pine Tar and Grandma's Laundry soap being the especial brands made by the concern. When the business was founded Mr. Beaver started alone. In 1883 he took in Robert Marsh, who, however, remained associated with him but a short time, and in 1885 he accepted as a partner W. D. Chamberlin, whose biographical sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. The firm name then became Beaver & Co., and in September, 1893, the business was incorporated under the name of the Beaver Soap company. The officers of this company at the present time are as follows: F. P. Beaver, president; W. D. Chamberlin, vice-president; and C. F. Snyder, secretary and treasurer.

Mr. Beaver was married, November 29, 1893, to Miss Emma J. Thompson, daughter of Ralph and Mary J. Thompson, of Terre Haute, Ind. Mr. Beaver is a member of the First Baptist church, and resides at the northeast corner of Second and Perry streets. He is one of the liberal-minded men of the city of Dayton, is progressive, intelligent, well informed, and keeps himself fully abreast of the times. Socially and religiously Mr. Beaver enjoys high standing, possessing the sincere esteem of the entire community.

OSHUA G. GALLOWAY, postmaster of the national military home, Montgomery county, Ohio, was born in Baltimore, Md., July 30, 1843. He is a son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Gorsuch) Galloway, both natives of Maryland, and born, respectively, in 1816 and 1822.

Joshua Galloway, who was a coppersmith by trade, lost his life at the age of thirty-three years, at the Relay house, on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, in Maryland, he being at the time an engineer on the road. He was descended from a family of Scotch-Irish and Welsh extraction, who came to America prior to the war of the Revolution, in which war Aquilla Galloway, an ancestor, took an active part in liberating the colonies from the tyranny of Great Britain, and was also a soldier in the war of 1812. Of the four sons born to Joshua Galloway, William, the eldest, was killed at the battle of Beverly, in West Virginia, October 29, 1864, when his brother, Joshua G., standing at his side, caught him in his arms as he fell from his death wound; John was a volunteer in the Twenty-fourth Ohio infantry, served through the Civil war, is now a resident of Dayton and is employed as assistant foreman in the Globe Iron works; James was a soldier in the First Ohio volunteer infantry, and later in the Eighteenth regiment of volunteer infantry from the same state, was wounded at the battle of Stone River before he was fifteen years of age, and is now engaged as a repairer of machinery in Dayton.

Joshua G. Galloway was educated in the public schools of his native city, and also by private tutors. Upon coming to Dayton, Ohio, he began working in a paper mill when he was but eleven years of age. At the opening of the Rebellion he enlisted, in April, 1861, in company K, Eleventh regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and served three months at Camp Dennison, Ohio. He next enlisted, in September,

1861, in company G, Forty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, and served in the battles of the mountains of what is now West Virginia and in eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, and in all of the engagements of his regiment, being with Gen. Burnside at the siege of Knoxville, Tenn., in the fall of 1863. Having received his second honorable discharge, he again enlisted while in the field, January 4,

1864, in the Eighth volunteer cavalry, company G, and served under Gen. Phil Sheridan in the Shenandoah valley, going through with Gen. Hunter to the conflict at Lynchburg. The scope of this biographical notice will hardly permit a full mention of the services rendered by Mr. Galloway as a soldier. Suffice it to say that, beside what has already been mentioned, he assisted at Cumberland Gap, fought against the rebel raiders, Rosser, Morgan, Jenkins, Moberly and others, and on January 11, 1865, was captured by a band of Rosser's men at Beverly, W. Va., when the entire Thirty-fourth regiment of Ohio volunteer infantry was also captured. After thirty-five days' confinement in Libby prison at Richmond, Va., he was released on parole, and found his way to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he was granted a furlough to await notice of his final exchange. In May,

After the war Mr. Galloway engaged with Barney & Smith as a painter in their car shops at Dayton, and subsequently became a molder in a foundry of the same city, a trade which he followed from 1870 until August, 1893. While thus employed he became deeply interested in the affairs of laboring men, and identified himself with the Iron Molders' union and for several years served as its president. Of this union he was a delegate to the national convention held at Saint Louis in 1888, and to the convention at Detroit in 1890; he also held the office of corresponding secretary of the Iron Molders' union for several years, and in every position proved himself capable and fully worthy of the confidence reposed in him by his fellow-craftsmen. Mr. Galloway was also appointed by the president of the Iron union of North America to represent that organization in the grand conference with the Manufacturers' association at Chicago, and having been one of the organizers of the Iron union and for a number of years a member, his experience and ability made him a most efficient representative of its interests. The object of the formation of the Iron union is to secure the settlement of labor questions between employers and employees by arbitration rather than by strikes and turbulence, and in the advocacy of this humane and effective method of settling these troubles Mr. Galloway stands prominent.

September 12, 1865, Mr. Galloway was united in matrimony with Miss Clara J. Server, daughter of Jacob and Mary Server, residents of Montgomery county, Ohio, the father of Mrs. Galloway being a mechanic as well as a farmer. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Galloway have been born nine children, viz: Clara, employed in the post-office at the soldiers' ! home'at Dayton; Lydia, a teacher in the Sev- I enteenth district public school of Dayton; Ettie and Mellie, both students in the Dayton high school; Robert, Frank and Mary, who are in the Twelfth district school; George, who died at the age of five years and three ! months; and James, who died at birth. The j family are identified with the United Brethren church.

which came to him without solicitation, and which he filled for fourteen months; he was next appointed, August 3, 1893, as postmaster of the national military home, which office is rated as third class and gives employment to four persons.

Fraternally Mr. Galloway is a member of Dayton lodge, No. 273, I. O. O. F. ; of Old Guard post, No. 73, G. A. R. , and is past colonel of encampment, No. 82, U. V. L. He has been identified with the Knights of Labor since 1876, is past master workman of district assembly No. 12 1, was its representative in the national assembly at Atlanta, Ga., in 1889; has been an active member of the Dayton Trades assembly since its organization in 1882, served four years as its secretary, and is energetic in establishing trades and labor assemblies throughout the state of Ohio.

Mr. Galloway's long and active connection with labor organizations has been instrumental in making him a careful and exact reader and a close student of finance, as also of parliamentary usage and of the perplexing labor problems of the day. He is an intelligent and enthusiastic advocate of the laboring man's rights - possessing the ability to present his views in such a manner as to carry conviction of his earnestness and sincerity. As a worker and public speaker among his co-laborers he stands in the front rank, as he did in defense of his country.

DWARD A. FRY, member of the firm of Berk & Fry, undertakers, 1 27-1 29 East Fifth street, is a native of the city of Dayton, Ohio, where he was born March 23, 1842. His father, Henry A. Fry, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Dayton about the year 1830 and here married Miss Sarah M. Snyder, who was also born in the Keystone state. Henry A. Fry was for some years a furniture dealer and undertaker and is remembered as a successful business man in the early days of Dayton. He died in June, 1847 ; his widow survived him many years, departing this life at a ripe age in 1890. The Fry and Snyder families are of German descent and representatives of both came to the United States in ante-Revolutionary times, locating in Pennsylvania near the cities of Chambersburg and Harrisburg respectively.

The immediate family of Henry A. P'ry consisted of two sons and one daughter, Edward A. being the third in order of birth. Charles H., the eldest of the family, is, at this time, a jeweler at Fort Worth, Tex., where he has been engaged in business since about the year 1886. He went south when a young man of twenty and was conscripted into the rebel army, with which he served during the greater part of the war of the Rebellion. The second child, Clara S., married a Mr. Phelps, a resident of Dayton and an extensive manufacturer of salt, his business being in the state of Kansas.

Edward A. Fry was five years old when his father died and his whole life thus far has been passed as a resident of his native city. His educational advantages embraced the curriculum of the public schools and his independent business career began in 1865, in October of which year, in partnership with W. H. McGowen, he embarked in the livery business. After spending three years as a member of this firm, Mr. Fry disposed of his interest and built a barn of his own, which he stocked throughout and operated with encouraging success for about ten years, selling out in 1878 and purchasing an interest in the undertaking establishment of Berk & Waymire.

This firm began business in Dayton in 1865, and is one of the leading establishments of the kind in the city, having much more than a merely local reputation as skilled and

As a business man, Mr. Fry is gifted with good sense and judgment, and his success financially has been thoroughly deserved. His standing among the business men of the city is high, and he is warmly esteemed as a useful citizen and member of society. Across the street from his present business location, and upon the site of the old home where he was born, Mr. Fry has erected a fine four-story building for mercantile purposes, beside which he owns other valuable property in the city.

In politics Mr. Fry has always been a republican, keenly alive to the best interests of his party, but aspires to no official position; he is a member of the fraternity of Odd Fellows, and with his family attends the First South church.

Mr. Fry married December 3, 1868, Miss Sarah F. Warble, of Dayton, Ohio, daughter of Samuel and Caroline Warble. This union is blessed with two children - Fannie B., wife of John E. Weiffenbach, a wholesale grocer of Dayton, and Charles E., an employee in the electric department of the Dayton Fan & Motor company.

EV. JOHN BAPTIST FROHMILLER, pastor of the Roman Catholic church of the Holy Rosary, at Dayton, Ohio, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1850, and at the age of two years was brought by his parents to America. He received parochial, seminary and college education, was ordained to the priesthood in 1875, and immediately thereafter was appointed assistant priest of the church of the Holy Trinity at Dayton. He served in this capacity until 1888, when he organized his present congregation in North Dayton, which now comprises a membership of 1,185 souls as communicants, and a parochial school where 175 children are instructed in elementary knowledge and receive wholesome religious training.

Since assuming his present pastoral charge, Rev. Father Frohmiller has erected a fine brick church edifice and parsonage at a cost of about $25,000 for the buildings and grounds. He, in person, superintended the construction of the buildings mentioned, and managed the financial expenditure necessary to carry forward the work to completion, and while he is too modest to claim any credit to himself for the good work already done, he is yet awarded great praise by the good people of Dayton for the noble task he has thus far accomplished and still continues to prosecute. The secular language of the church is German, and both German and English are taught in the school, and in connection with the congregation are the usual societies for the edification of the members and the promotion of true friendship and brotherly love.

APT. JOHN BIRCH is a familiar , name in the business and commercial j interests of the city of Dayton, espe- j dally in real estate and insurance lines. Capt. Birch has his office in the Canby ! building, on South Main street. He is of English nativity, was born in Manchester, April 1 7, 1836, and came to this country with his parents when a lad of only eight years, and spent his youthful days at Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio. His parents were Thomas and Ann (Turner) Birch, both natives of Manches- i ter, England. His father was a skilled machinist, and was engaged in England in the manufacture of machinery used in cotton mills, and continued in the same business at Hamilton until 1852, when he removed to Brookville,

Ind., and engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1857. He then located in this city, retired from active business, dying two years later at the age of fifty-six, his wife living to be six years older, and passing away in 1868. They had ten children, five boys and five girls. Three sons and three daughters are now living, the captain being sixth in the order of birth. The remaining five are: Thomas, in the gas and steam-pipe business in Cincinnati, the firm with which he is connected being known as the Stacey Manufacturing company; Jeffrey, a machinist in Covington, Ky. ; Elizabeth, the wife of Samuel DeVou, having her home in Hamilton; Jane, the wife of John Brady, living at Coalton, Ohio, where her husband is postmaster; and Louisa, who married Theodore Titus, a locomotive engineer at Fort Wayne, Ind.

Capt. Birch learned in early life the machinist's trade, which has been his mainstay for many years. He began it under his father's eye while the family were still residing in Hamilton, and continued it after the family had gone to Indiana, where he completed his apprenticeship, so that when he came with his parents to this city he was ready to take a journeyman's position with Chapman & Edgar, only leaving their employ to enlist in April, 1861, in company C, First Ohio volunteer infantry. The regiment was ordered to proceed directly to Washington, and was among the first troops to enter the Confederate territory.

The young soldiers first heard rebel guns at Vienna, where their train was fired upon by an ambushed enemy. The regiment was in the disastrous rout at Bull Run, July 21, 1861, and its members relate with much gusto that I it was one of the fleetest "runners" after the battle. This they can well afford to admit, for, with scarcely an exception, they afterward retrieved their reputation on many a hard-fought field of slaughter. When the

First had completed its term of enlistment, it was mustered out, nearly all its members reenlisting in other organizations for the war, for by that time the serious character of the struggle in which the nation was engaged had become apparent. Mr. Birch returned to Dayton, and enlisted a number of men to be known as the Fremont body guards. But on reaching Benton barracks, it was found that not enough men had been called together for this purpose, so all that he had brought became a part of the Thirteenth Missouri, and he was commissioned as second lieutenant of company K. Later on, when credit for enlisted men was claimed by every community sending volunteers to the front, the regiment was designated as the Twenty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, and with this organization his name is found. At Fort Donelson the regiment was conspicuous for its determined gallantry, and here John Birch began a long and honorable military career. He was at Pittsburg Landing, or Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, at the second battle of Corinth, at the capture of Vicksburg, and in several of the tremendous battles that preceded its surrender. The regiment was ordered to Little Rock, Ark., where it was engaged in guarding the railroad and in a general guerilla warfare with the scattered rebel bodies during the remainder of its service. May 14, 1862, Lieut. Birch received promotion as first lieutenant, and in August of the same year he received his commission as captain of company B, Twenty-second Ohio. He was mustered out of service at Camp Dennison, November 18, 1864. During his stay with his regiment he was detailed to many important duties, such as mustering officer for five months at Camp Dennison, and on the general court martial at Little Rock.

capacity of machinist in the employ of Mc- Gregor & Callahan, of this city. After being with them for several years, he received the appointment of foreman at the Phoenix Iron works, where his stay was also protracted. He was then chosen superintendent of the J. R. Brownell Engine department, and here he was active for four years, and for a fifth year was purchasing agent for the same institution. This completed his connection with mechanical pursuits, and on the first day of June, 1896, he opened his present office, buying and selling real estate, and doing a brokerage and insurance business.

The Birch family are strong, robust men, above medium height, and its members have generally taken a leading position wherever found. A brother of our subject, William, was a major in the Ninety-third Ohio infantry, and was killed in the battle of Missionary Ridge; another brother, Jeffrey, was also in the service, and was badly wounded in front of Atlanta; another brother, Joseph, died at the comparatively early age of twenty-six. Two sisters lived to maturity, and were happily married. Both are now deceased, Mrs. Mary M. Stevens dying March 1, 1896, at Louisville, and her remains resting in the cemetery at Dayton. The other sister, Mrs. Ann Bail, died at Turner Station, Ky. , and is there buried. Capt. Birch, while acting as mustering officer at Camp Dennison, was "mustered" into the great army of matrimony, in September,- 1 862, Miss Ellen Brady being associated with him in this enlistment, whose term of service was, "so long as you two shall live." She was a daughter of Peter Brady, a well-known contractor of Dayton. Two children were born of this union, Clara May, the older, being the wife of Charles J. Geyer, business manager of the Dayton Evening Herald, and the mother of three children, Mercedes Grace, Bertram and Mary. Her brother, Thomas J., was a most promising and attractive young man, who lived to be only a little over twenty-one, dying July 20, 1888. Both were graduates of the Central high school, and the son had already won a good standing for himself as a traveling salesman, when his fatal illness came upon him. Capt. Birch is a member of the order of Chosen Friends, and of encampment No. 145, Union Veteran Legion. He is independent in his political affiliations, but, being an ardent temperance advocate, is desirous of the success of the party committed to that principle as its corner-stone. He was long associated with the republican party, but, of late years, has followed more closely the dictates of his personal judgment. Mrs. Birch is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

EORGE H. GEBHART, member of the Dayton bar, was born in this city, November 5, 1867. He is a son of George A. Gebhart, junior member of the firm of S. T. & G. A. Gebhart, of Dayton. His grandfather was Judge Herman Gebhart, whose name is familiar to every one acquainted with the history of Dayton.

George H. Gebhart was educated in the public schools and the high school of his native city. Leaving the high school in the third year he entered the select school of John Truesdell, which was established in the fall of 18815, for the purpose of fitting young men, with thoroughness, for such colleges as they might wish to enter. In this school young Gebhart prepared for Yale college, and afterward spent one year in that institution and returned to Dayton. In 1888 he entered the Cincinnati law college, remaining there until 1890, when he was graduated, and in the same year was admitted to the bar at Columbus, Ohio. He next entered the law office of Gottschall & Brown as a student, remaining with them until

Mr. Gebhart was married in March, 1894, to Miss Daisie Brock, of Cincinnati, and to them a daughter has been born, named Ellinor. Mr. Gebhart is a young man of industry and ambition, and, being well educated in schools and colleges of high standing, he is well equipped for the work of an arduous and honorable profession.

EORGE H. GEIGER, M. D., is one of the well-known physicians and surgeons of Dayton, of which city he has been a resident since March, 1872. He is a native of Urbana, Ohio, was born April 14, 1849, and is a son of Judge Levi Geiger.

Levi Geiger is of German extraction, but descends directly from an old American family, extensively known throughout the country as prominent in the learned professions, especially in law, medicine and theology. He is most active as a member of the republican party; he has been a member of the bar of Champaign county, Ohio, for many years, and for five years has been an occupant of the bench. He married Miss Rosalinda Gleason, of Holmes county, Ohio, and by this union became the father of six children, viz.: Julia, wife of S. L. B. Stone, and Rebecca, wife of John Banta, both of Urbana; George H. ; Charles L., who died in Urbana in 1895; Ida; still residing in Urbana, and Jessie (Mrs. Patton) of Greensburg, Pa.

Dr. George H. Geiger was educated in the public schools of his native city and at the Wesleyan university of Delaware, Ohio, and after graduating from the latter, entered a drug-store in Urbana, and later a store of the same class in Dayton, and was altogether about nine years in the pharmaceutical trade. He then read medicine with Prof. Pierce, of Urbana, attended the Starling Medical college of Columbus, and graduated from the latter in the class of 1872, when he at once located in Dayton and has since been one of the most active and useful practitioners of the city. Up to 1890 his time was given to general medical practice and surgical operations, and in this year he began to give especial attention to the treatment of disorders arising from the abuse of alcohol and of morphia. This branch of the profession he has since followed with a constantly increasing success. Dr. Geiger has an extended fraternal and societary connection, being a member of the Miami lodge, Knights of Pythias, Dayton division, No. 5, and surgeon of the Fourth regiment, uniform rank, Knights of Pythias; a member of Dayton lodge, No. 15, Order of Chosen Friends; and also medical examiner for each of these bodies. He also holds the same relation to the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance company at Dayton.

Dr. Geiger was married, June 21, 1869, to Miss Sallie A. Taylor, of Urbana. This marriage resulted in the birth of five children, in the following order: Frank L. , now a machinist, of Middletown, Ohio; Charles H., a druggist, of Wheeling, W. Va.; Grace R. , Parker G. and Helen J.

ONATHAN H. GERLAUGH, once a prominent but now a retired farmer, living on East Fifth street, Dayton, Ohio, was born in Beaver Creek township, Greene county, Ohio, March 10, 1823. He is a son of John Adam and Catherine (Hanes) Gerlaugh, both natives of Maryland. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are still living, as follows: Robert W.,

John Adam Gerlaugh, who was a farmer by occupation, and a patriot soldier of the war of 1812, removed to Ohio in the fall of 1807, settling in Beaver Creek township, Greene county, where he bought land and lived the rest of his life, excepting a very short time, dying in Illinois in 1856, when on a visit to his son. He was then sixty-eight years and eleven months of age. His wife, who died about five years before him, was a member of the Lutheran church.

Adam Gerlaugh, the paternal grandfather of Jonathan H., was a native of Maryland and came to Ohio about 1807, entering three quarter sections of land in Greene county for all of his children. He, however, lived in another part of the county from that where he entered this land and died at an advanced age. The maternal grandfather was a native of Maryland, a farmer by occupation, and died in his native state.

Jonathan H. Gerlaugh was born and reared in Greene county. Receiving his education in the common schools, he remained at home until he arrived at mature years. He began life for himself by renting land of his father in 1855, but as his father died the next year, the property was divided among the children, and Jonathan continued to farm in Mad River township, where he lived twenty-two years. Then, removing to a farm a little above Chambersburg, he lived there until July, 1877, when he came to Dayton, which city has since been his home. He at first lived at the corner of Third and Van Lear streets, but later removed to his present home, where he owns eight acres of land and two houses. He erected his handsome brick residence in 1894. Mr. Gerlaugh owns two farms, one of 160 acres, well improved, in Darke county, Ohio, and one of

March 1, 1855, he married Miss Catherine Jane Lantz, daughter of John and Catherine Lantz. To this marriage there were born no children. Mrs. Gerlaugh died March 3, 1876, a member of the First Lutheran church of Dayton. For his second wife Mr. Gerlaugh married Miss Margaret Davidson, daughter of William and Ann Davidson, of Chambersburg, Montgomery county. To this marriage there have been born two children - Jonathan and Morton. The latter died at the age of thirteen. Jonathan is attending a commercial college. Mrs. Gerlaugh is a member of Linden avenue Baptist church, and is a most excellent woman. Mr. Gerlaugh is a republican in politics, and as such served one term as trustee of Mad River township. For seventy-three years he has lived within five miles of Dayton, and has always been an active, industrious and useful citizen.

ALVIN A. BONNER, M. D., of Dayton, Ohio, was born about two miles from the city of Dayton, in Van Buren township, on the 30th day of August, 1857, the son of John N. and Mary (Moler) Bonner, the former of whom died in 1884 - the mother still surviving. John N. Bonner was also a native of Ohio, having been born on the same farm where his son first saw the light of day. His father, John Bonner, was one of the early pioneers of the state and contributed his part in reclaiming the now prolific and beautiful section where he located so many years ago. Calvin A. Bonner was reared under the sturdy and invigorating discipline of the farm, and his preliminary education was received in the district school and supplemented by a course of study in the graded schools. When he was seventeen years old he was unfortunate in meeting with an accident while engaged in his farm duties, which rendered him a cripple for about three years. During the first two years he was treated at home, and while obliged to use crutches, he nevertheless made practical use of the forge which his father had erected on the farm, as well as of the carpentering tools, and thus manufactured many useful articles demanded in connection with the farm work. One of his early enterprises was in the manufacture of Portland cutter sleighs, for which he found a ready demand. Being then sent to Indianapolis, Ind., for treatment, he there became a resident of the home of his uncle, who was a leading physician of Indianapolis, and under his effective direction devoted his attention to the study of medicine for the period of one year, after which he returned to his home and again resumed his connection with farm work and the forge. One day a casual visitor called on young Bonner, and found him at work at the forge. This caller, who was the proprietor of the Dayton Forge & Iron works, was impressed with the skill of the workman; and insisted on the young man's going with him to learn the business. He consented, and went to the city, where he was placed in charge of the engine and steam hammer in the above named establishment, thus becoming a competent operative.

After a period of about a year he was taken sick with typhoid fever and sent home. Upon his recovery he took charge of a portable engine, and continued at this work until the D. H. Morrison Bridge company built their new plant in Dayton, when he secured employment in operating the portable engine which supplied the motive power of that plant for some time. When a stationary engine was secured, he was retained in the capacity of engineer, continuing his connection with the industry for a period of about four years. The doctor is possessed of much mechanical ability, and his practical knowledge in this line would have insured to him a successful career in that direction had he chosen to devote himself to the same. During the time that he was employed in the Bridge works all his leisure hours were spent in continuing his studies in medicine, and during this time he furnished the capital to purchase a drug store in the city of Dayton, being associated in the enterprise with J. G. Sponsel, under the firm name of Sponsel & Bonner. He disposed of his interests in this establishment at the end of three years, having in the meanwhile devoted as much time as possible to the study of medicine, in connection with his pharmaceutical work. He continued as clerk in the drug store for one year after selling out, and then went to Milford, Ohio, and there assumed charge of a drug store, owned by a local estate, and conducted the business one year, after which he was for an equal length of time in charge of a drug store at Lawrenceburg, Ind. In May, 1884, at Saint Louis, Mo., Dr. Bonner was united in marriage to Miss Jeannette Charch, daughter of John S. Charch. In the latter part of the same year he returned to Dayton, and here, in the following spring, he effected the purchase of the drug business of W. E. Hooven, conducting it during a period of about five years. At the same time he continued his preparation for that profession which he had determined to adopt as his vocation in life. He pursued a thorough course of study in the Medical college of Ohio, in Cincinnati, graduating as a member of the class of 1890, most admirably equipped for successful practice as a physician and surgeon. In 1891 he disposed of his drug business and has since given his undivided attention to his profession, having gained a representative practice and a large measure of success.

The doctor renders stanch allegiance to the republican party and its principles, and fraternally he is prominently identified with the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Foresters, the Knights of Pythias, Sons of Veterans, and the Patriotic Order Sons of America. He was one of the charter members of the Iola division of the uniform rank of the Knights of Pythias, and was the first member oi the Dayton lodge to join the uniform rank of the Sons of America. Dr. and Mrs. Bonner became the parents of three children, two of whom are deceased, the survivor being a daughter, Mary Elizabeth.

He Gem City Stove Company

HE GEM CITY STOVE COMPANY, located on Linden avenue, in Dayton, dates its inception back to March 17, 1884, when the now important industry was founded by Messrs. Henry R., Charles M. and August M. Gummer. In May, 1885, the business was incorporated with a capital stock of $23,000, which has since been raised to $100,000. At the time of the company's incorporation Henry R. Gummer was made president, Charles M. Gummer vice-president, and J. Lee Natches secretary. The last named is now deceased, his successor as secretary of the company being A. J. Conover. The directors of the company are H. R. , C. M., and A. M. Gummer, and S. D. and A. J. Concver. The enterprise now stands as the most extensive of the sort in Dayton, and the success which has attended it is the best voucher for the ability and the well directed efforts of its founders. When the industry was first established, the business was conducted on Taylor street, but in 1890 the plant was removed to the present location on Linden avenue, where better facilities were afforded for the prosecution of the business, which had largely exceeded its original proportions. This removal occurred in August, and in the following December the plant was destroyed by fire. Nothing daunted by this misfortune, the company at once began the work of rebuilding, and at the present time the great demands placed upon the institution cause the utilization of an aggregate floor space of nearly 125,000 square feet, the main building being five stories in height. The company manufactures the Clearmont cooking and heating stoves, and the Perfect gas ranges, the latter being in use from Maine to California, and the products of the establishment find sale in the most diverse sections of the Union, the superior character of the output being such as practically to test the capacity of the plant in meeting the demands placed upon it. Employment is afforded to a corps of 200 operatives.