The Stoddard Family of Montgomery County, Ohio

HENRY STODDARD (deceased) was born in Woodbury, Conti., March 18, 1788, and died in Dayton, Ohio, November 1, 1869. He was a son of Asa Stoddard, a descendant of the Rev. Anthony Stoddard, of London, Eng., who settled in Boston in 1670, and whose numerous descendants have, for more than two centuries, occupied honorable positions in several States of the Union. Senator Sherman and also Gen. Sherman are descendants from the Stoddard family. Having received such education as the common schools of this day afforded, our subject spent the last five years of his minority in the capacity of store clerk. He then read law and was admitted to the bar in 1812. Four years later, he came West on horseback in company with the late Hon. George B. Holt, of Dayton, and, in 1817, permanently located in that city, At that time, Dayton was a village of some 600 inhabitants in the center of a vast unbroken wilderness, and for many years, Mr. Stoddard made the circuit of the courts in the different counties on horseback, riding for days through the storms of winter, and at night often sleeping in the bush. Of the early lawyers of Dayton, Mr. Stoddard was one of the most prominent and successful. From 1840 to 1844, he was in partnership with Judge D. A. Haynes. Having by the latter year acquired a handsome competency, he retired from regular practice and devoted himself to the management of his private affairs. He was one of the constituent members of the First Presbyterian Church of Dayton, in which body he was, for many years, a ruling deacon. He also held the office of Vice President and Life Director of the American Colonization Society. For many years previous to his death, he was an invalid. His first wife was H; irriet L. Patterson who died October 1, 1822, leaving one son, Asa P., now a resident of St. Louis, Mo. His second wife was Susan Williams, the daughter of an early pioneer of Dayton. She died April 5, 1861, leaving three sons and one daughter to honor her memory. The daughter is Mrs. Col. S. B. Smith, of Dayton. The oldest sou is a resident of California. The two youngest, John W. and Ebenezer F., constitute the manufacturing firm of John W. Stoddard & Co., one of the most extensive of its kind in the country. In 1861, Mr. John W. married Miss Susan, daughter of Daniel Kiefer, a retired business man of Dayton, and has had five children born him, three living. He is a man of modest manners and great kindness of heart. He graduated from Princeton College, N. J., in 1858; studied law with his father and was admitted to practice in 1860. He continued, however, but a short time in the profession and then turned his attention to manufacturing business. Ebenezer F., the youngest son of our subject, graduated at Yale College in 1867, and in the autumn following engaged with his brother in the manufacture of linseed oil, in which business they continued five years. In 1872, he was made Superintendent and Secretary of the Dayton Steam Gauge Company, and, in 1875, became a member of the firm of John W. Stoddard & Co., and has since been Superintendent of their manufactory. On November 10, 1868, he married Miss Bessie W., daughter of Col. John G. Lowe, of Dayton, and has had four children, two deceased. He is a gentleman of a genial, accommodating spirit, and is very systematic, prompt and energetic.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HENRY STODDARD, deceased, was among the prominent, and, by many, well-remembered pioneer citizens of Dayton, who contributed greatly toward the growth and development of the Gem City and her institutions, and who left their impress upon the history of the community, and for over half a century was closely identified with the interests and affairs of this growing city, and for almost that length of time ranked as one of the foremost and most successful members of the Montgomery county bar association.

Mr. Stoddard was born on the 1 8th day of March, 1788, at Woodbury, Conn., and was descended from prominent Pilgrim and Revolutionary ancestry. His father, Asa Stoddard, was a direct descendant from the Rev. Anthony Stoddard, of London, England, who settled in Boston, Mass., in 1670, and whose many descendants have for over two centuries occupied honorable and responsible positions in the New England, eastern and middle states. After attending the common schools and securing such education as was to be obtained from that source in that day, and after spending about five years clerking in a store, Mr. Stoddard began reading law, and in the year 1812 was admitted to the bar. Four years later, in company with the late Hon. George B. Holt, he came west on horseback, and in 1817 located permanently in Dayton. At that time Dayton was but a village of not over 600 people, situated in the center of vast and almost unbroken wilderness, and in the practice of his profession Mr. Stoddard made the circuit on horseback, attending court in the surrounding counties, in doing which he was compelled to undergo many hardships and often perils. Success attended his efforts, however, and for many years he ranked as one of the leading lawyers in this part of the state. During the years from 1840 until his retirement from practice, Mr. Stoddard was the law partner of the late Judge D. A. Haynes, and between the two there always existed terms of intimacy and cordiality. Having acquired a competency, and having reached an age when one who has lived an active life begins to seek rest, Mr. Stoddard retired from active practice of the law in 1846, and thereafter gave his time and attention to his private affairs. His death occurred at his home in this city on the ist day of November, 1869. For many years Mr. Stoddard was quite active in church work, having been a ruling elder in the First Presbyterian church of Dayton. He was also for years vice-president and a life director of the American Colonization society.

Mr. Stoddard was twice married, his first wife having been Harriet L. Patterson, who died on the ist day of October, 1822, leaving one son, Asa P. Stoddard, now a citizen of Saint Louis. His second wife was Susan Willliams, who died on the 5th day of April, 1861, leaving the following children: Mrs. Samuel

B. Smith, of Dayton; Henry Stoddard, now a resident of California; John W. Stoddard, president of the Stoddard Manufacturing company, of Dayton, and E. Fowler, deceased. Sketches of the two latter sons may be found elsewhere in this volume.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

JOHN W. STODDARD.

In contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is never without honor save in his own country, John W. Stoddard stands today as one of the distinguished and representative men of Dayton, his native city. He has largely devoted his energies to manufacturing and with marked ability to plan and perform he has put forth many new: and practical ideas in the business world that have been resultant factors in the attainment of success. Moreover, in all of his business career there has not been a single esoteric phase, his record being one which at all times will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, his ' success being won in close conformity with a high standard of commercial ethics.

Mr. Stoddard was born October 1, 1837, a son of Henry Stoddard, who in pioneer times became a resident of Dayton and was closely associated with the growth and development of the city for many years. His birth occurred in Woodbury. Connecticut, March 18, 1788, his ancestors being among the pilgrims of New England and among those who fought for American liberty in the Revolutionary war. Asa Stoddard, grandfather, of John W. Stoddard, was a direct descendant of the Rev. Anthony Stoddard, of London, England, who in 1670 established his home in Boston, Massachusetts, since which time many of his descendants have occupied positions of prominence and honor in the New England, eastern and middle states.

Henry Stoddard acquired a common-school education, spent five years as a salesman in a store, and then after thorough preliminary reading of law was admitted to the bar in 1812. In 1817 he made permanent location in Dayton, traveling westward on horseback with the Hon. George B. Holt. Although the little village of six hundred inhabitants did not seem to offer an extremely promising field, yet he undertook his professional labors here, riding the circuit at an early day to attend court in the different counties. In the course of years he became recognized as one of the distinguished lawyers of Montgomery county, Ohio, continuing in active practice until 1846 when he retired. In the meantime he had become connected with various business interests and thereafter his attention was given to private affairs. He was prominent in the First Presbyterian church of Dayton, in which he served as ruling elder and in that faith he passed away November 1, 1869. His first wife was Harriet L. Patterson, who died October 1, 1822, leaving a son, Asa P. Stoddard. His second wife, who bore the maiden name of Susan Williams, died April 5, 1861. Their children were: Henry, of California; John W., of this review; Mrs. Samuel B. Smith, of Dayton; and E. Fowler, deceased.

Reared in his native city John W. Stoddard attended private schools here and completed the work of the freshman and sophomore years in Miami University. As a junior he entered Princeton College and is numbered among its alumni of 1858. He then became a student in the Cincinnati Law School and was graduated in 1860, after which he devoted two years to successful law practice, but, abandoning the law for a commercial career in 1862, he began the manufacture of linseed oil in partnership with his brother Henry and Charles G. Grimes under the firm style of Stoddard & Grimes. For three or four years the business was continued on the original plan and was then extended in its scope to include the manufacture of varnishes, while a wholesale trade was established in paints, oils, window glass, etc., under the name of Stoddard & Company. After several years’ connection with the business, John W. Stoddard disposed of his interests to his brothers Henry and E. Fowler Stoddard in 1869 and joined John Dodds in a partnership under the firm style of John Dodds & Company, for the manufacture of agricultural implements. A change in partnership occurred five years later, when the firm of J. W. Stoddard & Company was formed, E. Fowler Stoddard and William A. Scott being admitted. In 1884 the Stoddard Manufacturing Company was organized and John W. Stoddard remained at the head in the position of president and principal stockholder. It was one of the leading manufacturing industries of Dayton, its output being shipped to many sections of the country, while its trade constantly increased and its well equipped factories and skilled employes secured an output of the highest grade. In 1905 this company was practically succeeded by the Dayton Motor Car Company, manufacturers of the Stoddard Dayton Automobile, one of the largest and most successful motor cars manufactured in the United States. Of this company John W. Stoddard is president. While there are now many kinds of automobiles on the market, experience has.shown that all are not of equal value. In fact the kinds of high grade cars are comparatively few but the Stoddard machine is one which meets the requirements of the most exacting and the most fastidious. The utmost care is taken in the selection of the material and in the construction of the car, together with supplying its equipments, and the Stoddard automobile today has a very wide reputation as a high class and thoroughly satisfactory machine. Before another year has passed another company will be formed, which will be a separate organization from the Dayton Motor Car Company, for the purpose of manufacturing taxicabs, smaller cars and heavy trucks. Although this will be a separate concern, Mr. Stoddard will be interested therein as a stockholder.

In May, 1861, Mr. Stoddard was united in marriage to Miss Susan Keifer, whose father, Daniel Keifer, was one of the pioneer residents of Dayton. The family now numbers a son and three daughters: Charles G., vice president and superintendent of the Stoddard Manufacturing Company; Mrs. Charles M. Wood; Mrs. E. F. Platt and Mrs. E. S. Reynolds. The family home is a beautiful residence on a hillside in Dayton and is the center of a cultured society circle.

Mr. Stoddard is well known as a prominent member of the Dayton Club, of which he was honored with the presidency. He holds friendship inviolable and true worth can always win his regard. He believes in the aristocracy of worth rather than of birth and has commendable hatred of sham and pretension. He is today one of the most honored and respected citizens of Dayton, for the use which he has made of his opportunities and his talents has brought him prominently before the public in various relations and in all things he has measured up to the full standard of honorable manhood.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN W. STODDARD, a prominent citizen and president of the Stoddard Manufacturing company, of Dayton, Ohio, was born in this city on the first day of October, 1837, and is the son of the late Henry Stoddard, a pioneer citizen and distinguished lawyer of Dayton, of whom a sketch appears on another page of this volume.

John W. Stoddard was prepared for college in the private schools of Dayton, and spent his freshman and sophomore years at Miami university. He next entered the junior class at Princeton college, where he was graduated in the class of ’58. Determining to adopt the legal profession as a calling, Mr. Stoddard entered the Cincinnati Law school, from which he was graduated in 1860. He practiced law in Dayton for two years, with every probability of success, after which he decided to abandon the legal profession for a business career, and in 1862 began the manufacture of linseed oil in partnership with his brother Henry, and Charles G. Grimes, under the firm name of Stoddard & Grimes. That business was continued for three or four years when it was enlarged, and the manufacture of varnishes was added, the firm also dealing by wholesale in paints, oils, window glass, etc., under the name of Stoddard & Company (which business is continued at the present time by the Lowe

Brothers’ company). Mr. Stoddard retired from connection with the above business in 1869, disposing of his interest to his brothers, Henry and E. Fowler Stoddard, and in the same year began the manufacture of agricultural implements in partnership with John Dodds, under the firm name of John Dodds & Company. This firm continued business for five years, and was succeeded by that of J. W. Stoddard & Company, the other members of which were E. Fowler Stoddard and William A. Scott. This firm was followed, in 1884, by the incorporation of the Stoddard Manufacturing company, of which Mr. Stoddard became, and has ever since been, the president and principal stockholder. This is one of the principal manufacturing plants of Dayton, and one of the largest in its line in the world.

Mr. Stoddard is also president of the American Stoker company, of Dayton; president of the Milburn & Stoddard company, of Minneapolis; vice-president of the Milburn Wagon company, of Toledo; and vice-president and acting president of the Pasteur Filter company, of Dayton. He holds a directorship in the following corporations: The Fourth National bank, the National Improvement company, of which he is president; the American Carbon company, the Davis Sewing Machine company, all of Dayton, and in the Indiana Iron company, of Muncie, Ind. He is also president of the Dayton club, the leading social organization of the city.

Mr. Stoddard was married in May, 1861, to Susan, daughter of Daniel Keifer, one of the old citizens of Dayton, and to this marriage the following children have been born: Charles G., vice-president and superintendent of the Stoddard Manufacturing company; Mrs. Charles M. Nash, and Misses Alice and Florence.

John Williams Stoddard was named for his grandfather, John Williams, a pioneer of Dayton. His ancestry comprises a long line of prominent names, in many instances distinguished in the history of this country.

As a business man Mr. Stoddard has been cautious, conservative, but courageous. He possesses to a marked degree what is known in the commercial world as “nerve.” This element in his character has been wisely tempered with sagacity and most excellent judgment. He commenced his business life most admirably equipped. Educated in the best schools of this country, and with that further legal training which so thoroughly discipline the mind, few men have enjoyed better preparation. To-day the sixtieth milestone is nearly passed and the period of retrospect has arrived. The future in Mr. Stoddard’s business life is assured, and the pages of the past disclose a career of unvarying success. President and principal stockholder of one of the largest manufactories of its kind in the world, and identified with the management of many of Dayton’s largest industries and financial institutions, he may indeed view the present and review the past with feelings of becoming pride.

Socially those who know Mr. Stoddard well know him with ever increased attachment. His long, assiduous attention to business left little time for him to cultivate extended social relations. The formation of the Dayton club within the last few years has brought Mr. Stoddard more prominently in contact with his fellow-citizens and he has become one of its most popular members. His social qualities have thus become more generally known and recognized. Strong in his attachments, firm, decided and sincere in character, he well deserves his position of prominence and influence in his native city.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

FOWLER STODDARD (deceased) was one of the most prominent and popular of the younger class of representative business men of Dayton. He was born in this city on July 16, 1845, and was the son of the late Henry Stoddard, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. At the age of twenty-two years he was graduated from Yale college, in the class of 1867; and in 1868 was married to Miss Bessie W. Lowe, daughter of Col. John G. Lowe, of Dayton.

After a varied business experience in Dayton of several years, Mr. Stoddard became connected with his brother, John W., in the manufacturing business, where his superior business capabilities, mechanical aptitude, and excellent principles soon became of inestimable value, and led to his promotion to the position of vice-president and general manager of the concern.

Mr. Stoddard was an active participant in everything that tended to promote the general business interests of the city and was a highly esteemed and valuable member of the Dayton board of trade. He was in attendance at one of the regular meetings of the board on the evening of Tuesday, May 31, 1887, and after the adjournment, at about nine o’clock, pass-

From “Early Dayton."

NEWCOM'S FIRST LOG CABIN IN lT'Jti.

ing down the east stairway from the city building to Jefferson street, paused for a few minutes, under the shelter, in conversation with a fellow-member of the board before passing out upon the sidewalk, to await the cessation of a heavy shower of rain. He had been standing there but a few minutes when a flash was suddenly reflected from the water on the pavement, accompanied by the report of a pistol. A young man at the same instant was seen running by in the rain, but who, a few minutes afterward, hurried back to pick up the pistol, which had accidentally fallen from his pocket, and upon striking the pavement had exploded. The ball, thus driven from its chamber, unaimed by any human hand or eye, struck Mr. Stoddard, some twenty feet distant, immediately below and in the rear of the left ear, and, ranging upward, lodged in the base of the brain. He was sufficiently conscious to realize the probable fatal character of the injury. His first thought was that his wife should be spared the shock, his next, that his brother should be called to his side. His last coherent words were that he had ‘ ‘ tried to live square with the world.” He was quickly removed to his home and the most skillful surgical aid was at once in attendance. He gradually became unconscious, and before the morning of June I, 1887, breathed his last upon the same spot where, forty-two years before, he was ushered into existence. It would be impossible to exaggerate the deep and heart-felt sorrow that pervaded the community upon this most tragic occurrence, which had cut short a life and business career replete with every promise of happiness, usefulness and success.

Mr. Stoddard was always an active Christian, as enthusiastic in church work as he was in business. He was a man of marked versatility in church, in society and in business; and in the world of field sports, his excellencies of character was alike displayed, and their superior influence recognized. His mental faculties were well trained. He possessed a great power of concentration with a large degree of enthusiasm in whatever he undertook. He was remarkably quick in his perceptions, and rapid, though not unsafe, in arriving at conclusions.

As the general manager of the large manufacturing establishment of which he was also vice-president, Mr.- Stoddard was conspicuous for his intelligence, promptness and straightforward dealing with the men under his management. He always commanded their instant respect. With the innate instinct of a gentleman his intercourse with the employees was uniformly such as to inspire each of them with a sentiment of personal esteem — in many instances of affection. He was at once affable, kind and firm, and scores of these men, who were assembled at the manufactory on the morning when they learned the sad intelligence of his death, gave free vent to their sorrow in tears. No more touching tribute was ever paid to the memory of any man than was witnessed at his funeral, when several hundred of these plain, unpretentious laboring men, whom he had greeted daily with friendly words, and who had long been performing their daily tasks under his supervision, followed on foot his remains to the grave, and there stood with uncovered heads and tearful eyes to testify their appreciation of his worth and their sorrow for his untimely death.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.