Piqua, OH High School Alumni Notes 1880-1925

Alumni

Many of the alumni of Piqua High School have entered the field of industry and some have won distinction in this field while increasing numbers are winning it. Certain industries which have been started here by graduates of Piqua High are now nationally known and very prosperous.

Among the leading industries of the city are the textile mills in which the alumni are well represented. The four men who are the most prominent in these are Leo M. Flesh, Edgar A. Todd, William K. Leonard, and John P. Spiker.

Leo M. Flesh, of the class of 1880, after graduating from high school attended Poughkeepsie College after which he went into the retail trade for a time. He left this to organize the Atlas Underwear Company in 1899 and has been president since its inception until within the last year. It is one of the large industrial factories in Piqua and the prosperity of this concern can be attributed in a large measure to Mr. Flesh. He is also president of the Cron-Kills Company and of the B V. D. Inc. recently reorganized, which includes the Atlas and other underwear companies. Due to his success, Mr. Flesh has been able to acquire one of the largest and best private art collections in this section of the country.

Edgar A. Todd graduated in the class of 1882 and went into the wallpaper business with his father. He left this to start in business with Mr. Flesh and help organize the Atlas Underwear Company. Since the beginning of this industry in Piqua he has been vice-president and has given his entire attention to this concern which has many branches throughout the United States and some offices in foreign countries.

William K. Leonard, a graduate of the class of 1884, took a course at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and then returned to Piqua for a short time. He then went into the linseed oil business in Xenia, Ohio, after which he held a position in a Piqua bank. He again entered the linseed oil business here and after that he entered the underwear industry at the Hosiery. He first held the position of secretary and advanced steadily until he is now president of the Hosiery Company, manufacturers of underwear and bathing suits in Piqua.

Continued

Piqua, Ohio High School Yearbooks.
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