Historical Figures of Wayne County Tour begins Sept. 14

Eleven area historical societies are joining together for the Historical Figures of Wayne County Tour, held over four Sundays beginning Sept. 14.

“Our local historical societies wanted to highlight some personal stories of ordinary individuals connected to Wayne County that had extraordinary impacts on our local communities and in some cases our nation's history,” said Joe Slater of Wooster, an organizer of the event. “Telling these stories of individuals is a great way to learn about larger historic events. As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, it’s a great time to remember these individuals and connect to our shared heritage in a personal way.”

Visitors are encouraged to visit and browse through the museums to learn about individuals who made their mark on local history. The tour will have an open-house format from 1-4 p.m. Visitors can come and go throughout the afternoon at no charge to learn about the hometown individuals each museum will highlight. The public is invited, and refreshments will be served.

Starting the tour on Sept. 14, Dalton Community Historical Society will feature Victor Gerber, who taught music at Dalton schools for more than 30 years and was involved in dozens of musical endeavors. Federal prosecutor Edwin S. Wertz, who successfully prosecuted a landmark case in 1918 regarding freedom of speech, also will be highlighted.

News of Joe Walcott, world welterweight champion, an unfortunate passerby who met with an accident and was buried in an unmarked grave in Dalton in 1935, also will be on display. The museum is located at 115 E. Main St. in Dalton.

Also on Sept. 14, Mt. Eaton-Paint Township Historical Society will feature James Galbraith, who helped plot Paintville (the former name of the village) in 1813, and Frank Foster, who operated a successful pottery just east of Mt. Eaton in the late 19th century. His pottery will be on display, and books on the pottery’s history will be available for sale. The museum is located at 15966 E. Main St. in Mt. Eaton.

On Sept. 21, Apple Creek Historical Society will highlight two men born in the village including Dr. Nevin Mayer, who began making house calls by horse and carriage and continued serving the village for 60 years, and William J. Knight, a Civil War Medal of Honor recipient who was part of Andrew’s Raiders during the Civil War. The museum is located at 185 Church St. in Apple Creek.

Also on Sept. 21, Orrville Historical Society will feature Jerome Smucker, founder of the J.M. Smucker Company, and Bob Knight, nicknamed “the General,” who won 902 NCAA Division I men’s basketball games. The museum is located in the Smith Orr Homestead, 365 W. Market St., Orrville. Food trucks will be available.

Sept. 21 also will include the Smithville Community Historical Society, which will have a special attraction on John Mishler, builder of the Mishler Weaving Mill in 1887. The mill was once the only producer of cheesecloth in the United States for the Swiss cheese industry. Information about Mishler and his son will be available at the museum located at 381 E. Main St. in Smithville.

On Sept. 28, Chippewa-Rogues’ Hollow Historical Society will feature Hazel Harvey, who became school district superintendent in 1926 when the district consisted of a collection of small one-room schoolhouses. As the first female school superintendent in Ohio, Harvey had an illustrious career spanning 41 years of service, with 37 years as superintendent. The historical society is located at 17500 Galehouse Road in Doylestown.

Also on Sept. 28, Marshallville Historical Society will highlight Robert “Curly” Carpenter, who came to the village in 1939 and quickly became a cornerstone of the community, serving on the local fire department, the historical society, organizing the local softball league and serving as mayor for many years. This tribute will be held at its museum, located at 8 E. Church St. in Marshallville.

Also on Sept. 28, Rittman Historical Society will feature Martin Fritz, a Revolutionary War veteran and the first white settler in Milton Township, and Jacob Gish, a successful early tobacco farmer in the area and original owner of the Pioneer House, now the society's museum. Visit the Pioneer House at 28 Gish Road in Rittman to see information on these early pioneers.

On Oct. 12, Moreland Community Historical Society will feature Chief Killbuck, a Lenape Indian war chief during the American Revolutionary War, for whom the local Killbuck Creek is named. Early settlers James Morgan and his daughter Rebecca also will be featured. The society is located in the renovated Moreland Church of God, 7135 Millersburg Road, Wooster.

Also on Oct. 12, Wayne County Historical Society’s exhibit will feature Nobel Prize winner Arthur Compton for his discovery of the Compton Effect and his lasting contribution to nuclear science. The exhibit includes his family's early life in Wooster and ongoing efforts to save his childhood home at 816 College Ave. The exhibit featuring the entire Compton family will be at 546 E. Bowman St. in Wooster.

Oct. 12 also will feature the West Salem Historical Society, which will highlight several people born in West Salem including Pvt. Jacob Parrot, recipient of the first Congressional Medal of Honor ever awarded. Parrot was involved with Andrew’s Raiders and the Great Locomotive Chase during the Civil War.

Also featured will be world-famous architect William K. Shilling, whose specialty was designing public buildings. The West Salem-based Columbian Trio, consisting of Benny Williams, Charles Myers and Clint Fuhrman, three blind musicians, will be featured as well. The museum is located in the West Salem Schoolhouse Community Campus, Room 1, 99 E. Buckeye St., West Salem.

This tour is presented by local historical societies working together to share Wayne County history by highlighting historical figures of the past. It is part of the America250-Ohio celebration. For more information call 330-201-1935 or email waynecountyhistory@gmail.com.