Ezra F. Kimmel

As printed in 1909

EZRA F. KIMMEL.

Ezra F. Kimmel, an operator in the field of real estate, being senior partner in the firm of Kimmel & Freehofer, made his entrance into life’s activities in Dayton, October 20, 1863, and has always remained a resident of his native city. His father, Christian Kimmel, had located here upon his arrival from Germany in 1846 and for almost a half century continued his residence in Dayton, but met death in a railroad wreck in September, 1893, while returning from the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. He had for thirty-five years occupied the position of superintendent of the machine shops of the Buckeye Iron & Brass Works. It was after his arrival in the new world that he married a daughter of Jacob Ecki and his widow still resides in Dayton. She had accompanied her husband to Chicago and in the wreck sustained severe injuries hut escaped with her life. Their family numbered six children, five of whom survive and are residents of Dayton: William H., who is secretary of the Mutual Home & Savings Association; Mrs. Louise Bard, the wife of O. J. Bard, attorney at law; Anna, the wife of A. O. Freehofer; Gustave B., a minister in the Evangelical church, now located in Indianapolis; and Ezra F.

At the usual age Ezra F. Kimmel entered the public schools and when he put aside his text-books he had completed high school, having been graduated with the class of 1879. The following year saw him an active factor in business circles for in May, 1880, he became bookkeeper for R. C. Anderson, a manufacturer of plows, and he thus served for four years. In March, 1884, he entered the office of the Mutual Home & Savings Association and again acted as bookkeeper for four years, while for three and half years he was its auditor. On the 15th of July, 1891, he organized the John Dodds Manufacturing Company of which he became vice president and superintendent, remaining thus in active control of the business until December 1, 1896, when he accepted the management of the affairs of the National Improvement Company and also became agent for E. J. Barney. When he severed active relations with the Mutual Home & Savings Association he was made a member of its directorate and also of its financial committee. He has always been appreciative of opportunities and has improved them to good advantage. He aided in organizing the Walker Lithographic & Printing Company of which he was a director until the latter part of 1895, when he sold his interest in the business. In 1896 he joined Mr. Freehofer in organizing the real estate firm of Kimmel & Freehofer and is now giving his energies to this business with the result that he is today well informed concerning realty values in the city and has many clients who appreciate his comprehensive knowledge which is turned to account in their service. He continues as secretary and manager of the Arcade Company, is a director of the Mutual Home & Savings Association, is president of the Dayton Clark Land Company and treasurer of the Miami Valley Hospital. He quickly notes the possibilities of success and utilized his opportunities in a manner that makes them resultant factors in attaining the goal of prosperity.

In November, 1885, Mr. Kimmel was married to Miss Ida M. Steffey, a daughter of the Rev. M. W. Steffey, a minister of the Evangelical Association, at one time pastor of a church of this denomination in Dayton. Mr. and Mrs. Kimmel have a daughter and son, Florence M. and Russell Ezra. The parents hold membership in the Wayne Avenue Evangelical Association and Mr. Kimmel is also vice president of the Young Men’s Christian Association. He is also in hearty sympathy with the beneficient spirit of Masonry and has attained high rank in the order, having became a Knight Templar of the Commandery and a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in the Consistory. He is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. His friends are true and loyal to him because he displays the same qualities and, as Emerson says: “The way to win a friend is to be one.” There are no exciting chapters in his life work but it is a history of a man who in the workaday world knows that chances for success are before every individual and that within one’s own self lies the power to utilize or to reject these, the one course leading to continuous advancement and the other to failure. In all things he has wisely chosen the better part and in his career he has not only won success but what is more, an honorable success.

As printed in History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.