Elwood E. Rice

MAKING DAYTON A METROPOLITAN CITY

            Mr. Elwood Rice, whose portrait is herewith given, is one of Dayton’s leading young businessmen and this is concededly due to the fact that he learned the essentials of success and had the ambition and enterprise to apply this knowledge in a manner that would bring him the best results.  By dint of his own exertions he has arisen, although quite young, until he occupies a plane that makes him the envy of many older and more experienced in business life, at least in point of years.  The business in which he is engaged has for its object the illumination and metropolitanizing of the city of Dayton, and considering the short time in which he has given his attention to this worthy pursuit, he has achieved remarkable success.  Mr. Rice is one of the R. R.’s, who has erected numerous brilliant electric signs for the Dayton merchants and manufacturers.

            He is especially anxious that North Main Street shall have more complete illuminations in order that it may take on a more enlivening appearance.  The firm, of which Mr. Rice is a member, consists of himself and Mr. V. E. Rumbarger, and is operated under the title of R. R. Sign Company.  Mr. Rice made his first business venture in connection with the plaster business and is the father of the widely known and extensively used Rice’s Diamond Wall Plaster.  In this business undertaking he was distinctively successful.  However, he has the faculty of recognizing an opportunity when one is presented and pursuant to this capacity he embarked in the electric sign business, which is thoroughly modern and has a promising future and, as every one who is familiar with industrial conditions in Dayton is aware, he has made signal progress and his career has so far been such as to indicate that the future for R. R. Sign Company bears a roseate hue.

            To any one accustomed to visiting Dayton only occasionally, there is perceptible a marked contrast owing to the improvement wrought through the more perfect brilliancy as the result of the many signs they have constructed.  This firm’s reputation for building the finest and most snappy electric signs that can be produced is not confined to this city, but their reputation extends to the larger Eastern and Western cities, in which they have established a considerable business.  In fact the R. R. Company has the reputation of controlling the model electric sign plant in the entire country.

            Among the numerous signs which they have erected in this city are those that decorate the establishments occupied by the following companies:  Green, Green & Company, G. W. Shroyer & Company, Elder & Johnson, Globe Clothing Company, Surprise Store, Harvey’s Tiger hat store, Byrne and Palmer, London Hat House, Hunter and Hardie, Dayton Lighting Company and numerous others, while many are now in process of construction for others of the most enterprising Dayton merchants and businessmen.

            Mr. Rice’s prominence is not confined alone to the business sense, but he enjoys the same prerogative socially.  He is a 32nd degree Mason and enjoys an intimate friendship with many of the best families of Dayton.  He resides in his own modern home on Washington Street, which is adorned by an estimable companion and one bright little boy.

Franklin Rice

ENTERPRISING BUSINESS MAN

            Among the enterprising businessmen of this city, perhaps, none has better reason to claim credit for having established a thriving and profitable trade within a comparatively short period of time, than Mr. Franklin Rice, who conducts a coal and feed store at the corner of Cincinnati and Concord Streets.  Mr. Rice has been at his present location and engaged in the same line of business as that which he is now pursuing for twelve years.  Within this time he has had the privilege of seeing a gradual increase of patronage and as he possesses the very essential faculty of keeping friends once acquired, he is assured of a permanency of the high standard he has so admirably succeeded in establishing.

            Mr. Rice now conducts one of the most thoroughly equipped yards in the city and one which is completely modern in every respect.  In harmony with his business-like methods he has had his yard splendidly paved with brick and thoroughly drained by means of sewers.  In addition to these improvements he has his own side tracks and the yard is enclosed with a fence, the railway employees opening and closing the gate while passing in and out with the loaded and unloaded cars.  The warehouse utilized in connection with this business is provided with a large gas engine for the purpose of grinding his grain for the material from which he makes feed.  The elevator is the second in capacity in the city, possessing adequate facilities for the storing of fully 80,000 bushels of grain, which furnishes him ample quantity with which to conduct the large wholesale business of which he is now in control.  Being provided with such abundant and adequate means he is able, by doing his buying and in fact all his business on a large and extensive scale, to have his materials shipped to him by the carloads, thus availing himself of the advantage thus afforded.  However, this enables and assures his patrons an advantage they would not have otherwise secure and which they do obtain owing to the philanthropic propensities by which Mr. Rice is actuated in all his dealings.

            Prior to entering the coal and feed business Mr. Rice was associated with the firm of Kimmel and Rice on East Fifth Street in the hardware business, conducting a satisfactory and profitable trade for more than three years.  He was born and raised in the country, having spent his youth and young manhood within a distance of three and one-half miles south of this city.  He was married to Miss Victoria Dryden, of Alexanderville, about twenty-eight years ago, and this union has been blessed by three children, the oldest of whom is Elwood E. Rice, of this city, who is associated with the R. R. Sign Company and who is doing a flourishing business, owing to the enterprising methods and industrious proclivities with which he was imbued by former association with his father.  The next oldest is a daughter, who is now the wife of Rev. E. R. Appenzellar, who was formerly the assistant pastor at the Fourth Reformed Church in this city but who is now successfully presiding over a large church in Chambersburg.  The younger is a son eleven years of age, Franklin D., who is now attending the public schools of this city.

Herman F. Rieck

RIECK, THE FURNACE MAN

            Mr. Rieck is a native of Prussia, Germany, and with his parents emigrated to this country, settling in Dayton, when he was yet a boy.

            Mr. Rieck is a practical tinner, having learned his trade with the firm of W. F. Gebhart & Co., and continued with that firm and its successor, Chas. Wuichet, for over twenty years, until he went into business for himself, in 1892, succeeding George Folkerth at 515 Wayne Avenue. In this deal with Mr. Folkerth, Mr. Rieck came into the agency of the Carton Furnace, which he has made famous and popular in this city by judicious advertising and prompt and careful service, and generous and courteous treatment of his patrons, which has won for him the title – “Rieck, the Furnace Man.”

            In 1902 he left his old stand to enter his now three-story brick place of business at 506 and 508 Wayne Avenue.  Here he has widened his field of operation considerably, adding several other lines of furnaces to his trade, and also a general line of cornice, slate and the work, of which he is getting his share of the patronage of the city and vicinity.

            Mr. Rieck is assisted in his business by his two sons, who, being “chip off the old block,” are instilling their young blood into their father’s enterprise and are pushing ahead with characteristic energy.

            The father and sons are a hustling trio and their business success is accounted for by their hard work, even temperament and personal popularity, backed by reliable goods.

E. L. Riley

THE GAS ENGINE MAN

            Mr. Riley, sole owner and manager of the Riley Gas Engine and Machine Co., is one of Dayton’s hustling manufacturers.             He commenced business here in May 1902, under the firm name of the Riley and Wayman Manufacturing Co., at the present location, 411 and 413 East First Street, with and entirely new equipment of first class machine tools, since which time special machines have been continually added. In addition to manufacturing high grade gas and gasoline engines he manufacturers the Mundhenk Tire Bolter, Hercules Wire Stretcher, Perfection Leak Closing Clamp for steam pipes, and Best Kraut Cutter.

            Mr. Riley has designed many special machines for individual customers that have increased the output of finished products with a lesser amount of raw material, which is of first importance to the producer. Mr. Riley is assisted in his work by a foreman of practical knowledge and wide experience in machine building, and by many first class mechanics.

            Mr. Riley’s capacity for work is phenomenal, and is accounted for by his early training on a farm where he was taught to work from sunrise until after dark.  He has spared neither time nor money in building up his business and those calling upon him for jobbing repair work or anything in the line are assured fair and courteous treatment.

Henry F. Rist

AN EXPERIENCED BAKER

            A long and valuable training in the art of the baker, coupled with good business sense and keen judgment, combine to make successful the career of Henry F. Rist, proprietor of the Newcomer Baking Company at the junction of Eagle and Mad River Streets.

            Mr. Rist was originally employed by John Bolander of East Second Street, whom he served faithfully for about sixteen years.  Later he entered the employ of the Newcomer Company on Second Street, removing with he employers to Third and Ludlow streets where the above well-known firm was established.  With this concern he was connected about six years.

            Seven years ago Mr. Rist established a bakery of his own at the present location.  His business has grown steadily and substantially, until today he has all that can be looked after.  From a modest beginning the establishment has added mechanical equipment and its capacity has been greatly enlarged.  A large part of the business represented by the Newcomer Baking Company, the name adopted by Mr. Rist, is out of town, and the products of Mr. Rist are served on tables of hundreds of families residing as a distance from Dayton.

G. F. Rude

RUDE, BUT NOT RUDE

            G. F. Rude, who is the subject of this sketch, is the store manager and wagon route foreman of the firm Rude and McQuinney, who conduct the large and complete tea and coffee house at 133 S. Main Street.  In this capacity Mr. Rude finds congenial employment for there is, perhaps, not one feature of the business with which he is not thoroughly conversant.  His parental ancestors of the two preceding generations were engaged in the same line of business and while under their direction and guidance he

Absorbed the knowledge that enabled him to conduct the business with a degree of efficiency that assured for him the success that he is now achieving.  His business experience, close attention to duty and uniform courtesy to his patrons, supplemented with the expert knowledge of the business possessed by Mr. McQuinney, gives the firm a patronage that is not only large, but that can not be divorced.

            This firm also conducts a demonstrating department, where all kinds of teas and coffees are blended to suit the trade of all customers, however peculiar their whims and fancies may be.  Messrs. Rude and McQuinney conduct one of the largest and best- known establishments of its kind in this section of the country and as coffee and tea merchants the firm possesses a national reputation.

V. E. Rumbarger

A MASTER OF HIS ART & ONE OF THE R. R.

Mr. V. E. Rumbarger, the subject of this sketch, is one of Dayton’s rising young men.  He started in the manufactory of signs at the early age of 17 years and has been steadily advancing until today after 15 years of strenuous and well-directed effort, he has become treasurer and one of the chief stockholders in one of the largest and most completely equipped electrical sign manufacturing concerns in the country.  Fully appreciating the present value and anticipating a heavy and growing demand in the future of the electric sign, he succeeded in attracting the attention and interest of Mr. Elwood E. Rice in the enterprise and together they have been working diligently and energetically and their business relations are thoroughly congenial.  Through their well-directing spirits and capable management, the R. R. Sign Company has grown to such an extent as to command the attention of the largest business houses throughout the country.  Mr. Rumbarger’s ambition is to lead and to this end makes frequent and regular visits to the largest cities in the country for the sole purpose of keeping ahead of their numerous competitors.  His experience in his extensive search for knowledge in this line has taught him that he must produce the best, most substantial and most modern signs in order to achieve success.  He has learned that the many failures in his line are not because of the want of capital, but chiefly because of the lack of knowledge and ability.  Mr. Rumbarger personally superintends the designing and constructing of all the work that is put on the market, and it is to his credit that Dayton today has the most practical, artistic, substantial and up-to-date electric signs in the country.

John H. O. Sargent

PROMINENT MAIN STREET PHARMACIST

            The subject of this sketch has spent nearly all his life in the drug business.  He is a native of Scotland, and served a five-year apprenticeship in the drug line before coming to the United States.  Shortly after coming to this country he became associated with John A. Mayer and Company, formerly in the drug business of North Main Street, this city, remaining with them for over five years as prescription clerk.  Mr. Sargent, as successor to the late George Latin, has done a very successful business, as he is known by nearly all physicians for miles around.  Mr. Sargent gives very close attention to his business at 32 South Main Street, and is considered by all who know him as being a reliable pharmacist.

W. H. Sells, D. D. S.

A YOUNG BUT SUCCESSFUL DENTIST

            Dr. W. H. Sells is one of the leading young dentists of Dayton

            He graduated from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery Department of Dentistry, University of Cincinnati in the class of 1898.  He opened his office in Dayton the same year, in the Pruden Building, southeast corner Fifth and Main Streets, Suite 23.  By close application to business he has been successful in building up a very lucrative practice.

            He is a very active member of the Iola K. of P. Lodge and also belongs to other fraternal orders.

W. F. Smith

AS HE APPEARS WHEN HE’S BUSY

            The above is the likeness of W. F. Smith, the auctioneer, and portrays him as he appears when he is busy selling property for his patrons.  He maintains offices at 716 Reibold Building and is always glad to greet anyone desirous of disposing of a piece of property to advantage.  His terms are reasonable and he knows how to get out of a property, while auctioneering, all that it’s worth.  He is well known throughout the city and is able to furnish the very best quality of references as to his ability in the profession he is now following.  His methods are effective and as an auctioneer he is universally regarded as a top-notcher.  Persons having property of which they are desirous of disposing would do well to give him a call.  He is uniformly courteous and pleasant treatment is at least assured and his acquaintanceship will be found advantageous, whether or not his services are employed.

C. David Speagh

INVENTOR, PATENTEE, MANUFACTURER

            Kick your torturing truss “to the four winds of heaven,” with an appropriate illustration, is the trade-mark used by Mr. Speagh of 111 South Ludlow Street, for his “Finger Cushion Pad,” of which he is the inventor, patentee and manufacturer.  Mr. Speagh has resided in Dayton for over twelve years, and has sold over 3,000 Dr. Speagh’s finger cushion pads to Dayton patrons, in addition to conducting a good business throughout the country.

            Mr. Speagh is very proud of his son, Master Rosaire Speagh, the personal impersonator, known by many Daytonians.  The fact that Mr. Speagh secures most of his business through the recommendation of old patrons is in itself sufficient evidence of the merits of his invention.

William R. Sullivan

HUSTLING INSURANCE MANAGER

            William R. Sullivan, the Dayton district manager of  The Travelers Life and Accident Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn., and ex-clerk of the police court, is one of the most widely known young men in Dayton.  All business done for The Travelers Insurance Company in Montgomery, Greene, Preble, Clark, Champaign, Shelby, Miami and Darke counties comes to Mr. Sullivan, which makes his position an important one.   The only Accident Agency in Dayton employing the cashier system, writing all district accident business at the Dayton office, enabling Mr. Sullivan to write and deliver an Accident Policy on demand. 

            Mr. Sullivan does a large business for his company, who were the originators of Accident Insurance, and are now the largest Accident Company in the world, the seventh largest old line Life, and are at the present time paying the largest dividends of any company in the country, and do the largest employers’ liability business in America.             The mere fact that Mr. Sullivan has entered his third year’s service in his present position is proof he has “made good” and is worthy of the important position he now holds.

W. T. Swartzbaugh

“THE WAY HE MAKES THEM SMILE.”

            Mr. W. T. Swartzbaugh, proprietor of the well known Owings photography gallery at Second and Main Streets, is one of the best artists in the state and is rapidly building up a reputation that bids fair to give him more than local prominence.

            He has been engaged in business for a period covering sixteen years, the last five of which have been spent in his present location.  His gallery and furnishings easily take rank among the finest in the state and as his staff of artists is unexcelled, the quality of work turned out equals that of galleries of national renown.  Mr. Swartzbaugh is earnest, but genial and thoroughly understanding his business, the work of photographing the child, the youth, the young man or woman, the bride and groom, the middle aged and the old is so extremely simple that he always derives the best possible results.

            It has been the rule of his gallery never to destroy a negative and in consequence thousands of them, extending back many years, are preserved and at all times available for new photographs.  His wonderful success is best explained by saying “He is in love with his art.”

J. W. Tilton

FORGING TO THE FRONT

            One of the most widely known and most successful piano dealers in the city is Mr. J. W. Tilton, whose establishment is located on Fourth Street.  Mr. Tilton has done business since the first day of opening his piano and music store in Dayton, and now, after one year of satisfaction given to a large number of customers, its strongly entrenched to increase his first year’s success.

            Mr. Tilton is the son of Judge J. W. Tilton of Carlisle, KY, was educated at Kentucky Wesleyan College, equipped for business by a thorough training in managing a large furniture and piano store in Maysville, KY, and is now a resident of Dayton, living on Warder Street in Riverdale, where he and his wife have earned a firm place in the regard of a host of friends.

            Mr. Tilton handles exclusively the following makes of high grade pianos and players, together with the world famous Smith & Nixon, Ebersole, Armstrong, Haines Bros., N.Y., Marshall & Wendell, Regina Music Boxes, Chase & Baker Player, Koehler & Campbell Auto Piano and the Reliable Self-Playing Piano.

            Mr. Tilton’s success in the piano business is built on the foundation of honesty, fair and courteous treatment of customers and friends, and absolute reliability in himself, together with the meritorious firms he represents.  His first year has been an unparalleled success and he deserves continued and increasing patronage from people of the Miami Valley.

Henry W. Truax

THE FRISCO R.R. IMMIGRATION AGENT

            Mr. Truax has personally conducted a large number of home seekers excursions to southwestern territory traversed by the Frisco railroad.         The way people are going to the new southwest is indicated by the fact that Mr. Truax has sold over 11,000 acres of land at Oulstee and Eldorado, Oklahoma and considerable more at scattered points during the past year.

            Mr. Truax is about to open up a large tract of land in Texas to the home seeker and investor at prices which will make it dirt cheap or cheap dirt. As an expert on land, its adaptation, etc., Mr. Truax has recognized ability, being a college graduate and having devoted the past five years to this line of study and work.

            Mr. Truax keeps at his office, 840 Reibold Building, specimens of the products grown in the southwest, such as wheat, corn, oats, alfalfa and the like.  He is the only exclusive man in Dayton who personally conducts excursions each month to the southwest.

Charles Utzinger

THE MAN ON FIFTH STREET WHO “SAYS.”

            We present to our readers today a fine cartoon of Mr. Chas. Utzinger, one of Dayton’s most prominent and enterprising young businessmen.  Located at 11 West Fifth Street, Mr. Utzinger for the past 10 years as manager and buyer for a local firm, was storing up knowledge and experience to be used in personal business venture.  The success he has made in the rapidly growing business center on West Fifth Street has proven that he made the best of his fine opportunities and that his opinion that Daytonians would appreciate and patronize a high grade, yet popular priced men’s furnishings store, has been fully justified.

            Mr. Utzinger has done some very clever newspaper advertising during the last six months by using the caption “Utzinger Says” in all announcements and clever items of store news.  He is generous in his praise regarding the value of newspaper publicity and as a result of success achieved in the past he will open to the public for fall, a new department of fine hats at moderate prices.  If the future can be judged by the past, the public, for catchy and interesting advertisements, should read in the Journal what “Utzinger Says.”

Charles Weiler

DAYTON’S BROOM MAKER

            The old broom factory on Taylor Street, north of Monument Avenue, conducted for several years by Mr. Weiler, is at present being abandoned by him, it not being adequate to the demands of his largely increased business.

            Mr. Weiler is removing to Leonard and Troy Streets, into newly equipped and commodious quarters, where he will manufacture a full line of all goods made from broom corn, brooms, brushes, etc.  Mr. Weiler works all the trade in Dayton and adjacent territory, and sells through the leading jobbing houses of the city.  He employs about twelve broom-makers constantly, and at certain seasons makes several additions.  It keeps Mr. Weiler on the jump to see trade and dispose of their product, which is sold with satisfaction guaranteed.

Harry D. Wolfensparger

HOLDS DOWN A GOOD EAST END CORNER

            Located in the center of the group of fine East End factories, Mr. Wolfensparger conducts one of the finest groceries in the city, owning two fine properties at the corner of Burkhardt and Curtis Avenues.  He represented the Third ward in the Board of Education for four years, resigning when he removed to his present location four years ago.

            Mr. Wolfensparger employees in his grocery seven clerks, keeps a full line of meats and does a large feed business.  He is one of the best posted men in Dayton on grocery values and buys in large quantities when he thinks the market is right.

Hoyt H. Wollaston

HE KEEPS THEM ON THE JUMP

            One of Dayton’s most progressive young businessmen is H. H. Wollaston, secretary and treasurer of the Chas. Q. Tyson Co.  Mr. Wollaston was born in Dayton, August 29, 1874, started in business January 20, 1900, with Chas. Q. Tyson, who had established a good reputation as an expert electrical work constructor.  In addition to contracts for electrical work on many city residences and out of town work, the company has contracts for the new F. Cappel building, U. B. church, Fourth and Perry, Haynes Street School and the Adam Schantz building, East Fifth Street.

            Mr. Wollaston is married and resides on South Wayne Avenue, opposite the Dayton State Hospital.  Mr. Wollaston has become and expert in all branches of electrical work, contracting supplies, burglar alarms, ‘phones, lighting, fans, etc.

            After Mr. Tyson’s death in 1904, a stock company, “The Chas. Q. Tyson Co.,” was incorporated February, 1905, the present officers being Chas. E. Waxler, vice president and general manager; H. H. Wollaston, secretary and treasurer.  Mr. Wollaston forecasts the outlook for construction work in Dayton as very bright.

Acting Police Judge, Horace D. Worman

RELENTLESS, BUT JUST

            One of the rising and most talented young men of Montgomery County bar is Attorney Horace Dye Worman, at present acting judge of police court.

            Mr. Worman was born in this city on November 11,1877, and received his early education in the public schools and at the Deaver Collegiate Institute.  From this last educational institution he entered Hotchkiss School, the Yale Preparatory College, where he soon gained for himself the honor of being one of the most apt and promising scholars.      His studies were interrupted, however, by the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, and Mr. Worman, strong in his patriotism and disregarding all other commands, returned home, where he enlisted as a private in Troop F., of the First Ohio Volunteer cavalry.

            Following the time when he was mustered out at the close of the war, Mr. Worman entered Ohio State University at Columbus, where, after completing the course with great honor, and having won for himself recognition as one of the most brilliant students in college, he was graduated in June, 1901, with the degree of LL.B.

            Upon graduation he returned to this city, where he opened an office for the practice of the law, and a signal success greeted him almost from the start.

            Mr. Worman is well suited to command much prestige in his chosen profession as he possesses a calm, evenly balanced and profound mind, with the capacity of analyzing and differentiating the most minute details of any case in which he may engage. His fellow soldiers of the Ohio Spanish War veterans were among the first to recognize his abilities, and at the initial meeting of the body he was elected judge advocate general, a position which he continues to hold.

            Mr. Worman was soon sought after by members of his, the Democratic Party, who recognized in him a possible local Moses, and after much persuasion, he was induced to accept the nomination for state senator in 1903.

            Despite the fact that his party was much in the minority in this section, Mr. Worman made a great campaign, and while defeated by his opponent, Hon. William Chapman, now deceased, succeeded in leading his ticket by a total of 600 votes.             Again last year he was tendered the nomination of his party for the office of police judge, and while he made another wonderful race, this time going 3000 ahead of his ticket, the popularity of the Republican ticket again accomplished his defeat.

            In recognition of his worth, Mr. Worman was appointed by Mayor Snyder to fill the vacancy on the police court bench occasioned by Judge Sullivan’s vacation period, and since July 26 he has been acting judge with credit to himself and honor to his party. With his abilities and attractive personality, Montgomery County can well consider him one of the most promising young men in the state, and one who will, undoubtedly, in the future, exercise a voice in directing the affairs of the state and nation. 

William H. Young

THE MOVING MAN

            In 1865 Jacob Young established the business of moving household goods, pianos, etc., conducting the business successfully until his death. Last January the storage department of this business was incorporated under the name of The Jacob Young Storage Co., William H. Young, Pres., with storage houses located at 427 East Hickory and 142 East Third Street.

            The moving business is owned and conducted by “Jacob Young’s Sons.”  Mr. Young oversees the handling of a large amount of furniture each day, the combined business being the largest of its kind in Dayton, and his main hobby is to take proper care of all goods entrusted to him for moving, storage or packing for shipment.

J. M. Zeller

AS YOU SEE HIM IN THE ARCADE

            For the past thirty-two years J. M. Zeller has devoted his time in different capacities in the tailoring business.  He was a cutter for over twenty years.  About twelve years ago he commenced business for himself, and has each year materially increased his trade.  As he carries a first-class stock, which in connection with a force of high-class workmen who have proved themselves to be good tailors, Mr. Zeller, 16 Arcade, is in a position to cater to the wants of the public for anything obtainable at an up-to-date tailoring establishment.  Mr. Zeller is a member of several fraternal orders, and takes an active part in the gymnasium of the Dayton Turngemeinde.

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