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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
The History of the City of Dayton
and
The Montgomery County, Ohio.
by Rev. A. W. Drury
1909
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CHARLES RENCH,
a veteran of the Civil war, who throughout his entire
business career has been connected with the Third National
Bank of Dayton, of which he is now the vice president and
casher, is recognized as a man whose history is the story of
orderly progression under the steady hand of one who is a
consistent master of himself and who displays mature
judgment, not only of his own capacities but also of the
people and circumstances that make up his life's contacts
and experiences.
Born in Dayton, in 1844, he is a son of John and
Mary (Croft) Rench, who were natives of Pennsylvania and
Maryland respectively. The interests of his youth were
those which usually claim the time and attention of
the city bred boy. He was educated in the public
schools, mastering the work of consecutives grades until he
was graduated from the high school with the class of 1861.
The following year, on the 1st of August, 1862, when he was
a youth of but eighteen, he offered his to the government,
constrained by a spirit of patriotism, becoming a private of
Company B, Ninety-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He
served for three years, after which he was mustered out at
Nashville, Tennessee, in June, 1865, receiving his honorable
discharge a little later at Camp Denison, Ohio. He was
orderly sergeant when he left the service and for a time had
command of his company. While but a boy in years he
displayed valor and loyalty equal to that of many a veteran
twice his age. He was in all of the engagements from
Chattanooga to Atlanta, also in the battle of Nashville and
in others of lesser importance, but never did he falter in
the performance of duty, whether on the firing line or the
picket line.
When the country no longer needed his military aid,
Mr. Rench returned to Dayton and engaged in clerking for
a time, but soon entered the Second National Bank and
continued with its successor, The Third National Bank, when
it was reorganized in 1882. His initial position was a
comparatively humble one but gradually he has worked his way
upward as he has mastered the principles and details of
banking until 1890 he was made cashier, while in January,
1909, he was chosen vice president and now occupies the dual
position. The bank follows a progressive policy which,
however, is tempered by a safe conservatism and in its
continued success Mr. Rench has been an active
factor.
In June, 1866, Mr. Rench married Miss Fannie
B. Long, of Dayton, who died in January, 1867, and he
was again married in November, 1869, his second union being
with Miss Mary F. Gilliland, who departed this life
in 1907. In his family are seven children, namely:
Glena, who married C. E. Ainsworth, of Dayton,
and has one child; Alice, who married Edward
Wuichet, also of this city, and has one child; Mary,
who is the wife of W. P. Galloway, living on a
plantation in Louisiana, and they have three children;
Jeannette, at home; Louis L., who is in the
collection department of the Third National Bank; Robert,
who is with the Ohio Automobile Company; and John C.,
who is attending the high school of Dayton.
Fraternally Mr. Rench is connected with both the
subordinate lode and encampment of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, is a past officer in both and for twenty years
was the efficient and valued secretary of Wayne Lodge No.
10. He is also a member of Old Guard Post, No. 23, G.
A. R. His political endorsement is given to the
republican party but he is not an active worker in its
ranks. However, he served for two years as city
treasurer of Dayton, filling the office in 1870 and 1871.
While his financial interests make heavy demands upon his
time he is not remiss in the duties of citizenship, his
influence and support being given to various movements which
are essential elements in the city's growth.
Source: The History of the City of Dayton and
Montgomery Co., Ohio by Rev. A. W. Drury - Publ. 1909 - Vol.
II - Page 1009 |
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WILLIAM
J. ROSENCRANS. A review of the business life at
Dayton at once brings to light the fact that is has a very
large number of extensive and profitable industrial concerns
and that it is one of the centers of the iron and steel trade
of the country. With this great department of labor
William J. Rosencrans is connected as a president of the
American Foundry & Casting Company and the great enterprise
is a monument to the business ability, energy and laudable
ambition of him whose name introduces this review.
A native of Fairfield county, Ohio, he was born upon a
farm in the year 1870 and in his youthful days attended the
district schools, participated in the pleasures of the
playground or performed such tasks as were assigned him by
parental authority. Thus the yeas passed until he
reached the age of sixteen when desirous of providing for
his own support and making his start in the business world
he went to Springfield, Ohio, where he began learning the
molder's trade.
In the year 1891 he came to Dayton and entered the
employ of the Brownell Company, representing that and other
iron concerns until 1904 when he organized and established
his present business under the name of the Advanced Foundry
Company. This was not an incorporated concern but was
successfully conducted until 1907 when Mr. Rosencrans
organized the company of which he is now president.
When he arrived in Dayton he had but twenty-five cents.
He possessed, however, what is far better than capital - the
substantial qualities which are always the basis of success,
such as industry, perseverance and determination. He
sought and secured immediate employment and from time to
time his industry and his economy enabled him to add to his
capital. When he and his partner organized the
Advanced Foundry Company they had twenty-three hundred
dollars between them and when they had erected the building
they were several hundred dollars in debt and had nothing
with which to pay workmen or the running expenses of the
business. With firm and unflinching purpose they bent
their energies toward the establishment of a trade,
solicited orders, filled them according to contract line and
established a reputation for reliability and enterprise
which gained for them a constantly growing patronage.
They now have a plant valued at fifty thousand dollars and
their business is enjoying substantial growth and yielding
good returns.
In 1893 Mr. Rosecrans was married in Springfield
to Miss Sarah Condren and they now have one son,
William R. Mr. Rosencrans belongs to St. Joseph's
Catholic church and also to the Benevolent and Protective
Order of Elks. He is a typical young business world
offers and utilizing his opportunities with the result that
he is steadily forging ahead. He allows no obstacles
to bar his path if they can be overcome by persistent and
honorable effort and already he has attained an enviable
position in industrial circles.
Source: The History of the City of Dayton and
Montgomery Co., Ohio by Rev. A. W. Drury - Publ. 1909 - Vol.
II - Page 503 |
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