Located at the corner of David Road and Mad River Road in Kettering, David’s Cemetery has many notable burials:
Harry Schwab – Dayton golfer, won Senior P.G.A., died July 25th, 1976
Hadley Watts – former Superintendent of Centerville Schools, died August 9th, 1969
Richard E. Kelchner – founder of Kelchner Excavating Company, died July 15th, 2002
Clark Haines – founder of NCR Band in 1973, died 6/23/2001
Category Archives: Prominent Local Figures
“Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of…
…a bike ride.” – John F. Kennedy
Just before the Wright Brothers opened their shop in the spring of 1893, George P. Huffman purchased the Davis Sewing Machine Company and moved the factory to Dayton. By 1892, the first Huffy bicycle was built. Years later in 1924, George’s son Horace founded the Huffman Manufacturing Company and continued to manufacture and sell bicycles under the now well-known name of Huffy.
If Life is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits?
“When your mother asks, “Do you want a piece of advice?” it’s a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway.”
From her youth, Erma loved to read and write. At Christmas, when kids her age asked for toys and dolls for Christmas, Erma asked her parents for what she cherished most: books.
Dayton Hero – David T. Chambers
The chain of events that started Dayton’s Great Flood started on March 21, 1913, with a rainstorm. Over the next few days, more rain came, ultimately weakening the levees and flooding the already oversaturated soil. Water rose quickly, and as gas lines were destroyed, a fire started downtown that destroyed most of a block.
As these events were happening, twenty four year old David T. Chambers of North Dayton could not stand by and watch without helping. From the safety of his home, which was located above the flood waters, he could see the damage being caused by the rising waters.
Prominent Local Figures: Israel Ludlow
Although not very well known, Ludlow accomplished a lot in 39 years. Like Jonathan Dayton and James Wilkinson, Ludlow was from New Jersey, near Morristown.
Ludlow was a surveyor and town planner, helping to found Dayton, Cincinnati, and Hamilton, Ohio. Hamilton, Dayton, and Cincinnati all have a Ludlow street in his honor.
The Man Who Sent Wilbur on the Wright Path
If any fact is known about Dayton, it’s that Wilbur and Orville Wright created their heavier-than-air Flying Machine in Dayton, Ohio. What many don’t know, is that it almost didn’t happen.
Wilbur had set his sights on Yale. A star athlete in football, skating, and gymnastics, Wilbur intended to leave Dayton behind. It was the Winter of 1886 that changed the course of history for Wilbur and the future of flight.
The Runaway Slave in Dayton
A simple blurb in the paper was all it took to change one man’s life, and to start a huge political debate in Dayton.
FIFTY DOLLARS REWARD. A reward of $50 will be paid for the arrest and return of BLACK BEN, five feet, six inches in height; weight about 145; color, very dark. Hold said fugitive and notify his legal owner J. C. Atkinson, Richmond, KY.
Before the article, Ben had been earning money through odd jobs around Dayton, working in homes and stores, getting work where he could. Nobody questioned his presence in 1832 Dayton, as it was known around town that Dr. Hibbard Jewett of Jefferson Street had opened his barn as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Ben worked in freedom for two years before the article was printed.
Prominent Local Figures: James Wilkinson
Similar to the level of involvement Jonathan Dayton had, James Wilkinson’s contributions to Dayton Ohio were mostly in name. Wilkinson, Dayton, Arthur St. Clair, and Israel Ludlow, were the purchasers of the land now known as Dayton, Ohio.Born March 24th, 1757 in Benedict, Maryland, Wilkinson grew up with a sense of superiority over others. He believed that his social standing excused any and all bad behavior on his part. At age 7, Wilkinson’s father died, leaving him with the parting words,
“My son, if you ever put up with an insult, I will disinherit you.”
Dayton Hero – Bill G. Sloan
March 1913, The Great Dayton Flood. Rising waters drove people to treetops and attics. People were spotted on rooftops, stranded, but were not able to be rescued. Survivors recount tragic tales, including watching a two-story house floating by, a man, woman, and child stranded helplessly at their front door. As the house was swept along with the current, on an ill-fated journey into the Dayton View Bridge, the man closed the front door suddenly. Moments later, the distinct sound of two gunshots was heard from inside.
Enter William “Bill” G. Sloan.
Dayton Firsts Part 2
Ready for some more Dayton Firsts?
First Cabinet Maker – Matthew Patton
First Tailor – Thomas McNutt.
Dayton Unknown 