1874 – 1962
Frank M. Tait was a pioneer industrialist and a contemporary of Orville and Wilbur Wright, Colonel Edward Deeds, James M. Cox,
and Charles Kettering – part of the generation that made Dayton a
center for invention and manufacturing. He was inspired by an early, close association with Thomas Edison, and went on to found Tait Manufacturing Company. Tait was President of the Dayton Power & Light Company (now AES Ohio), Director of the U.S. Pipe and Foundry Company, and at one time was active in 35 major corporations. In 1955, Mr. Tait created the Frank M. Tait Foundation for charitable, scientific, educational, and religious purposes out of his personal financial holdings. The Foundation continues to award grants to regional organizations, benefiting many and fulfilling Mr. Tait’s wishes.