Louis J. Stelzer. The career of Louis J. Stelzer, junior member of the firm of Neth & Stelzer, tailors, haberdashers and hatters, of Piqua, has been one of steady advancement from modest beginnings to a place among the staple business men of his city. His entire life has been passed at Piqua, where he was born July 30, 1876, a son of John and Mary (Bartel) Stelzer, his father being a cooper who conducted a cooperage at Piqua for many years. His maternal grandfather, Adam Bartel, was one of the early shoe dealers and manufacturers of Piqua, where he was well known among the members of an earlier generation. Louis J. Stelzer attended St. Boniface parochial school and prepared for a business career by taking a course in a commercial college. His first practical experience in a mercantile line was secured as an employee of the firm of Flesh- Prugh & Company, and when this firm was succeeded by Flesh & Louis he remained with the new organization. There he had as a fellow- employee, Louis C. Neth, and in 1910 the two established themselves in business as Neth & Stelzer and at this time have an excellent business, which has been built up through the exercise of fertile mental resource and much industry. They carry a complete line of men's furnishings, hats, haberdashery and made-to-order clothing, and their business is a constantly growing one. Mr. Stelzer is a public-spirited citizen and during the war period gave his unqualified support to all war measures. He is a member of the Piqua Golf Club, and belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of St. John, in addition to which he is prominent in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he was exalted ruler for a period of four years. He married Miss Alice Crowel, and they are consistent members of St. Boniface Catholic Church.