My Genealogy Hound

FRANK B. DREES. Prominent among the leading and influential young men of Greene County, and an excellent representative of its worth and push in business directions, is this gentleman, who has passed all his life in Xenia, and is consequently well known, not alone in business, but also in social circles. Having received a fine education, and being gifted by nature with those particular characteristics essential to the most satisfactory results, he has, at the commencement of his career, won a reputation for sagacity, honesty and fair dealing with all men.

A native of Xenia, Mr. Drees was born August 17, 1860, and is the son of Tobias and Maria H. (Hypes) Drees, natives respectively of Germany and this county. After their marriage they settled in Xenia, and became the parents of six children, of whom our subject was the fourth in order of birth. He was reared in Xenia, receiving splendid educational advantages, first completing the studies in the ordinary public school system, then entering the Ohio Wesleyan University, located at Delaware, from which, after a thorough course of training, he was graduated in the class of 1882. Having learned the carpenter’s trade when a boy, under the immediate supervision of his father, he for a time was engaged in the duties of his trade, but soon after completing his college course, in January, 1883, he formed a partnership with W. H. McWhirk, in the Xenia Twine and Cordage Company. In the spring of the same year the works were incorporated, with a capital stock of $50,000. Of this company our subject has been Secretary constantly since its organization, and on January 1, 1890, was elected Treasurer of the same. The duties and responsibilities attached to these offices he has ably discharged, and the present flourishing condition of the company is largely due to his efforts.

On the 28th of October, 1883, occurred the ceremony by which Miss Hannah J. Hartwell became the wife of Frank B. Drees. She is a daughter of J. W. and Virginia (Howell) Hartwell, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of the Old Dominion. They settled in Clark County after their marriage; the mother is now residing in Xenia, and the father is deceased. Three children bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Drees, namely: Virginia, Bertha and Helen. They are bright and interesting and especial favorites with old and young. They will in time be given all the opportunities possible for mental and physical culture. Mr. Drees and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Church, and are faithful in attendance there, while all beneficent objects are aided by them willingly and generously. He attends strictly to his business, and takes very little interest in politics, though he votes the Republican ticket in general elections. He cast his first ballot for Blaine as President. He is a most prosperous and excellent business man, and well deserves the success which has crowned his efforts.