Alan L Leiby

Spencer, Ohio -The David J. Monosmith Project Alan L Leiby

David J. Monosmith was a farmer, a teacher, an inventor, a businessman, and most of all, a prolific photographer. Born March 21, 1876, to Reason & Hattie Monosmith he grew up on the farm at 7027 Spencer Road (Rt. 301), south of Spencer, Ohio, with his younger brother Clayton. David died in 1928 and is buried in Spencer, as are his parents and brother. David was an inventor with a variety of patents, including several related to automobiles. The Spencer wheel, or Fatman steering wheel, which increased the seating space in a Model T, was one of his accomplishments, as were several carburetor improvements. David was recognized by the Columbus Ohio Fire Department for his invention of a spotlight that burnt carbide gas. Spencer residents Dow Miller & Dorr Delong appear to have been close friends with David and were involved in the photographic endeavors as was David's brother Clayton. Roy Stroup, a postman, purchased the Monosmith farm, probably in the early 1920's, and many of David's cherished negatives remained on the farm, in a wooden box. Mr. Stroup insured the survival of the negatives, as well as many other artifacts related to Spencer's history. When Roy Stroup's estate was settled, over 500 of David Monosmith's glass negatives were found, and ended up in the possession of the Spencer Historical Society. Fifty six additional Monosmith glass negatives were found by Gary Flegel and loaned to the project. The photographs in this book, brought to you by The Spencer Historical Society, represent years of work, by many volunteers, to insure that David Monosmiths photographs last at least another 100 years.