Hall of Honor Nomination 

PCHS’s Sara Swartsel Hall of Honor Program – started in 2011 – aims to honor a deceased resident of Preble County who contributed greatly to the county, state, or nation. This program is made possible through PCHS’s cosponsor the Register-Herald.

If you or someone you know is interested in nominating a person for our hall of honor, please fill out our application.  Please note: failure to complete all components of the application will not result in a nomination. To be considered for the 2026 Hall of Honor program, applications must be submitted via email to brittany@preblecountyhistoricalsociety.com or mailed to PCHS, Attn: Brittany Corwin, 7693 Swartsel Road, Eaton, OH 45320 by May 1, 2026. Thank you!

2026 Hall of Honor Application Below for Print

Sara Swartsel

1913-2003

This Hall of Honor is named in honor of Sara Swartsel, county native, educator, environmentalist, who donated her family farm to the Preble County Historical Society with four objectives: beautify the grounds through plantings and horticultural activities; encourage and provide space and facilities for cultural and educational activities and environmental studies; conduct farming operations, and demonstrate agricultural activities of the past and present; and promote and encourage its use.

Helen and M. Heber Felton

1918-2011     1912-2001

Helen and Heber Felton, each individually through many different organizations, and together through their mutual love and support, lived in the county for a total of 180 years.

Heber as CEO and President of Eaton Home Loan & Home Aid Company, and Helen as an educator, both enjoyed history and were proud of their heritage.

Andrew L. Harris

1835-1915

Civil War hero as Colonel with the 75th OVI, public servant at the local, state, and national levels, serving Ohio as Judge, State Representative, Lt. Governor, Governor, and as Chairman of the US Industrial Commission under President McKinley, Harris was a "Farmer-Statesman." 

A graduate of Miami University, he lived in Preble County for 77 years.

Seth Schlotterbeck

1898-1985

As County Highway Dept. Superintendent, 1937-1966, Schlotterbeck was instrumental in preserving our covered bridges, historic steel truss bridges, and the Lewisburg Log House. His detailed photography and documenting of historical details provided records that otherwise would have been lost.

A WWI veteran, Schlotterbeck spent his entire life of 87 years living in and documenting Preble County history.

Nathaniel Benjamin 

1795-1885

Carpenter, joiner, builder, businessman, Benjamin constructed many buildings in Preble County, planted an orchard, established a nursery, and kept a tavern/public house in New Lexington.

He supervised highway construction when

West Alexandria was a wilderness, served in public office for over 20 years, and was a dedicated Mason.

His generous contributions established an orphanage and a public school library.

Harvey Hiestand

1872-1944

Architect, artist, and musician, Hiestand graduated from Eaton High School, traveled the world, and returned to practice architecture in Eaton. He established Miami University's first architecture courses and designed substantial public and business buildings throughout the Midwest, as well as many homes in Eaton.

Hiestand Hall at Miami University is named in his honor and houses many of his artworks.

Thomas McQuiston

1839-1909

McQuiston received patents for a corn cultivator and a sorghum evaporator. A lifelong farmer in Israel Township, McQuiston operated a sorghum mill from 1862-1903 and farmed as had three preceding generations and three succeeding generations of his family.

He served in the 156th Regiment of O.V.I. in the Civil War, and he was a long-time trustee of Hopewell Presbyterian Church.

Clarence Oldfather           Harold Sell

      1913-2000                   1911-2003

"Sparky" Oldfather and Harold Sell bought the local paper in 1947 and built The Register-Herald into Ohio's second largest weekly. They were honored as "Publishers Emeritus" upon their sale of the paper in 1973.

Both had careers dedicated to publishing, including Oldfather's early work at Eaton's "Bulletin" and Sell's work at the "New Paris Mirror" and his founding of the "Eldorado Weekly."

Richard Tuggle

1920-1976

Community leader in business, church, and volunteer organizations, Tuggle was a charter member and board president of the PCHS.

He served as manager of the Eaton Farm Bureau and established the St. Clair Custodial Supply Company (now Remagen, Inc.), a family-owned business. He served as township trustee, a church elder, and president of Eaton Rotary Club.

Ione Sell Hiestand

1933-2012

Self-titled "professional volunteer," Hiestand dedicated herself to serving the community including founding and leading the Friends of the Eaton Library, authoring and editing numerous publications of the Preble County Historical Society including the 700-page 1992 history, Preble County, Ohio, initiating and promoting the arts including music performances and graphic arts at the Preble County Art Association, and writing about and enhancing the architecture of downtown Eaton.

Lucille Petry Leone

1902-1999

Born near "Frog Heaven School" in Monroe Township, Leone's nursing educator career led her to the US Public Health Service during World War II where she created the Cadet Nurse Corps Program and rose to the rank of Assistant Surgeon General and Chief Nurse Officer, a rank equivalent to Admiral. Her philosophy was that nurses nurse the whole patient. She received distinguished service awards and honorary degrees from organizations across the country, for her service to nurse education.

Marian M. & James W. Mitchell

1920 - 2010     1916 - 2012

Together the Mitchells helped found the Preble County Historical Society and the Preble County Pork Festival and served Eaton Presbyterian Church. Marian led the District Library Board, the Girl Scouts, and planted thousands of daffodils and bluebells at Fort St. Clair Park. Jim nurtured an acorn from the Whispering Oak into a seedling and was instrumental in saving and moving both the Lewisburg Log House to PCHS and the Roberts Covered Bridge to Eaton.

Cyrena Van Gordon

1893-1964

Van Gordon's life began in Camden where she sang in cantatas at the First Presbyterian Church and graduated from high school. Her voice and stage presence took her throughout the United States and abroad, and she rose to be prima donna of the Chicago Opera Company and the Metropolitan Opera Company of New York City over a 27-year career. She returned to her Ohio home to dedicate the Preble County Courthouse in 1918 and on many other occasions.

Silas Dooley, Sr.

1786 - 1877

Silas Dooley, Sr. was the first recorded settler in Gasper Township. He cleared his land and helped clear the land for the village of Camden.

His marriage to Johanna Westerfield was the first one licensed in Preble County. Their 1830s timber and frame home remains today as a centerpiece of the original homestead which has been in continuous operation by seven generations of descendants for over 200 years.

Martha A. Rizert Dye

1930-1999

Martha A. Rizert Dye was an educator and accomplished classical pianist. She helped found the Eaton Area Arts Council to benefit countless children and residents. Her contributions included Children's Home renovation and services and work as a juvenile counselor and probation officer for adolescent girls. As a principal founder of PCHS, her vision led to the creation of the outdoor amphitheater.

Dorothy Kiracofe

1926-2005

Dorothy Aukerman Kiracofe fine-tuned her culinary skills at Mrs. Wagner's Kitchen and took them to the Preble County Pork Festival where she served on the board for over 25 years and won many Grand Championships for her baking. She was Grange Deputy for 50+ years, 4-H leader for 25+ years, and volunteer with the Eaton High School Band, the public library and programs for special needs children.

Jo Ann & William E. Lange

1927 - 2010   1925 - 2012

Farming, church, Pork Festival, Farm Bureau and political party were shared endeavors for the Langes. Jo Ann added Delta Theta Tau philanthropy, 4-HL, band parent, FHA mother, and PCHS Board member to her community service. Bill added his seed company, the Soil and Water Conservation Service, township clerk, and school alumni association to his. Together they were two dynamic individuals of great service and love for Preble County.

Alfred Horatio Upham, Ph. D.

1877 - 1945

Born and raised in Eaton, Alfred H. Upham excelled in school and enrolled in Miami University, graduating with many honors, completing graduate studies at Harvard and Columbia Universities. He held faculty and leadership positions at universities in UT, MA, and ID. He served as Miami's longest term president from 1928 to 1945. He composed Miami's Alma Mater and was honored by the naming of Upham Hall.

William Bruce

1762 - 1830

On February 20, 1806, William. Bruce filed the plat plan for Eaton, OH. He provided land for the courthouse and other public buildings, churches, and schools.

He established a sawmill, gristmill, and other businesses, served as the first treasurer of the county, and received the universal and unqualified respect of county residents.

Timothy H. Miller

1938 - 1993

Tim was a man for the county. He was involved in everything from news reporting to politics to the Pork Festival to photography to the 911 system and more. He led the Chamber of Commerce, served as a Special Deputy Sheriff, worked on the restoration of Roberts Double-Barrel Bridge, and helped found the Friends of the Library and the Eaton Camera Club.

Sarah Elizabeth Daugherty Reynolds

1845 - 1923

Reynolds was prominent in patriotic affairs and helped originate the custom of casting flowers on streams on Memorial Day. She loved history and archaeology and her advocacy led to the designation of Fort St. Clair Park in Eaton. She presented the Preble County women's buckeye bole cabinet at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.

Cornelius Van Ausdal

1783 - 1870

The pioneer merchant of Eaton and Lewisburg, Van Ausdal created wholesale and retail commerce of all kinds. He served on the local railroad board, insured completion of the Christian Church building in Eaton, was a Deputy U.S. Marshall (taking the first census in the county), served as a state legislator, and owned the Western Telegraph weekly newspaper.

Chester "Chet" & Mary Palmer Wagner

  1908-1970             1913-1985

The Wagners opened the Whispering Oaks Restaurant in 1947 and that led to the founding of Henny Penny to manufacture high quality cooking equipment. Active in Rotary, church, Shrine and politics, Chet also established a forestry scholarship and award. When widowed, Mary guided the business and insured a successful transition upon its sale in 1976.

Rosetta "Rosie" McNees

1928 - 2010

Rosie was a founder of the Preble County Art Association and a driving force in fundraising for the Fine Arts Center dedicated in 1990. She was a well-known and prolific artist specializing in watercolor, pastels, and oils. Her legacy includes over 25 pen and ink drawings of structures in the county and her efforts to preserve historic downtown Eaton.

Larry A. Hart

1941 - 1991

As Wildlife Game Protector, Hart set a timeless standard for all officers.

He educated community groups, volunteered as scout leader and baseball coach, supported his church, and loved to square dance! He received many awards and assisted in establishing wetlands and prairie grasses. A college scholarship established in his honor continues to provide annual awards.

Col. Charles M. Hendricks, MD

1877-1953

Visionary Preble County native, Dr. Hendricks began his illustrious career at Miami University. His ambition took him to medical school, and his compassion led him to treating respiratory illnesses. His Army career resulted in innovations for improved evacuation and treatment strategies, MASH units, and blood types on military "Dog Tags." 

His love for football and his community service in El Paso, TX, led him to assist in creating, naming, and directing "The Sun Bowl"

Clarence Irvin Kesler 

1882-1975

Born and raised in Preble County, Kesler received the Navy Cross for his service as crewmember on Seaplane NC-1 that crossed the Atlantic Ocean in May 1919. For this history-making first he also received the highest non-citizen honor of the Order of the Tower and Sword medallion from the King of Portugal. His distinguished Navy service led to a pilot's career with Pan American Airways in Central and South America.

James Edward Quinn

1920 - 1997

A fifth generation Preble Countian and World War II veteran, Quinn helped found the PCHS, served as a member of the Board of Trustees, donated many artifacts, and created nature trails and wildlife education programs.

His many contributions to West Alexandria included Republican Central Committee member, village council member and Marshall, private business ownership, and church and community association memberships including helping create the Lions Club Apple Butter tradition.

Sherwood Anderson

1876 - 1941

Born in Camden, Anderson led an itinerant life of a house painter and served in the US Army in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. Eventually he arrived in Chicago and began writing. His famous novel, Winesburg, Ohio, was an interrelated collection of short stories and novel that served as a stylistic touchpoint for his and later generations of American writers. He wrote a total of nine novels, four short story collections, and two books of poetry during his short career.

Mary Gould Brooke & Edith Gould

      1858 - 1946           1855 - 1946

Granddaughters of Cornelius Van Ausdal, these sisters left their own legacy in the form of the "Brooke-Gould Memorial Fund" and its many substantial contributions to Eaton. Mary provided leadership to the Preble County District Library, and was instrumental in establishing the first Preble County Historical Society, the Current Events Club and the Fort St. Clair Park. Edith's life focused on music, teaching piano lessons, and serving as close co-worker and compatriot with Mary.

Phyllis Ashman Campbell "Mama Jazz"

1922 - 2011

Born and raised in Eaton, Campbell made her home in Oxford, OH, and her career in administrative positions at Miami University. In 1979 she began the "Mama Jazz Show" on WMUB (aka "With Mama Until Bedtime) and introduced her beloved jazz to thousands of listeners over 30 + years on the radio. Hundreds of student radio board operators learned their craft under her tutelage. She received many awards including a commendation by the George H. Buck Jazz Foundation in New Orleans.

Alfa Lloyd Hayes

1880 - 1962

Founder of Delta Zeta International Women's Fraternity, businesswoman, and homemaker, Hayes was born in Camden, moved to Oxford, OH, with her family, and became one of the first women students at Miami University. Her character and intellect enabled her to join with five friends to create an organization to support women's friendships and opportunities to lead and contribute to society in their own right. Today, over 244,000 women in 160 collegiate chapters benefit from her legacy.

George & Glendine Huggins Wadlington

1928 - 1996        1928 - 1992

George's career as Agricultural Agent was embellished by his service to Eaton as Councilmember and to the First Presbyterian Church, Eaton Little League, Lions Club International, and The Ohio State University.

Glendine's career in early childhood education and special needs education supported children and families with developmental disabilities. Together they served the Preble County Pork Festival, the Preble County Historical Society, and the Preble County Farm Bureau.

Susan Haines Kendall

1952 - 2005

Preble County District Library director for 24 years, Kendall demonstrated her passion for gathering and sharing information by establishing the Internet era at PCDL and creating the library's genealogy center that remains a resource for genealogical documents accessed by individuals all over the world. She modernized and expanded the library's seven branches, including establishing the Eldorado branch, and provided leadership to state and local library and community organizations.

Paul E. & Ruth Phelps Fitzwater

1914- 2007   1916-2004

Musicians and teachers, Paul and Ruth excelled at performance - both vocal and instrumental (clarinet and tenor saxophone/cornet and piano respectively), at teaching thousands of students over thirty-five years, and at leading bands and choirs in schools, churches, and community groups - especially Rotary. Together they founded The Keynotes Dance Band, and together they left a lifelong musical legacy in the hearts and lives of their students, friends, and family.

Kenneth J. Garber

1923 - 2016

Born in Preble County and raised by his two aunts, Garber was grateful to those who supported him as an orphan. He graduated from Lewisburg Union High School and served in the Army in World War II.

His accountant's life was enriched by his love of music - a 50 year organist at his Cincinnati church - and by his love for nature and his childhood home, now the Allen and Adaline Garber Nature Center, which he donated in 2004 to become the first Preble County District Park.

William R. Goodheart, Jr.

1902 - 1960

From 1943 to 1958, Goodheart owned and operated farms in Preble County and produced prize-winning Aberdeen-Angus cattle and Hampshire hogs.

He led the Rotary, the Country Club, the Masonic Lodge, and the Presbyterian Church.

He helped found Music Corporation of America (MCA), played a major role in radio's golden age by identifying and producing musical talent, and led NBC's early television programming. He played piano and electric organ for pleasure.

Diana L. Akers

1947 - 2017

Growing up in Twin Township, Akers developed extraordinary music skills that became her life's profession. An organist who studied in France and was fascinated by how the brain processes and interprets organ sounds, she created ORGANISTE as a talent agency and website for organists around the world to share their love and expertise for organ performance. Her legacy lives in the hundreds of students she taught organ and harpsichord at Florida Atlantic University.

Laura A. Hawes

1854 - 1923

Renaissance woman and owner of Bunker Hill House and General Store in Fairhaven, Hawes was an artist and art instructor, musician, antique collector, historian and photographic preservationist, and banker for families and businesses in Fairhaven. She supported charities and Fairhaven Presbyterian Church, travelled widely throughout the USA and Mexico via train and stagecoach, and maintained Bunker Hill House for future generations.

Paul Edwin Ray

1938 - 2012

Preble County Champion, Ray served the county in multiple roles: 16-year county commisioner, overseeing construction of the former children's home, fine arts center, jail, and jobs and family services building; Pork Festival leader; New Paris Chamber of Commerce leader and co-founder of the Medical Development Corporation of NP; Rotarian, veteran, Mason, and St. Clair Foundation board member. He was a skilled woodworker, gardener, photographer, artist, and trumpeter.

Gregory Alan Arnett

1956 - 2020

Arnett loved people and demonstrated that love through coaching and mentoring people professionally and in community organizations.

He provided leadership to the Preble County Historical Society, the Preble County Park District, the New Paris Kiwanis, and the National Trail School District. He was inducted into the Preble County and National Trail Athletic Halls of Fame.

He rose from line chemist to national trainer over his 38-year career with Cargill.

William Morton Hildebolt

1943 - 2020

One of The Ohio State University's "100 Buckeyes You Should Know," Hildebolt had a distinguished career in food and environmental services.

He held over 20 patents and recorded his role as principal inventor of Prego Spaghetti Sauce in his book "It's in There!"

In Preble County he expanded the family farm to over 800 acres and secured its heritage as a 200-year-old single family ownership recognized by the State Ohio.

Horace "Junior" Kramer

1923 - 2018

Known as an "Auctioneer's Auctioneer," Kramer conducted over 10,000 auctions during his 70-year career and was inducted into the Ohio Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame.

He started the Preble County 4H Sale of Champions and provided leadership and charitable auctions for American Legion, Eaton Little League, Eaton Country Club, and many other community organizations.

He facilitated Sara Swartsel's donation of her farm to the Preble County Historical Society.

Audrey Gilbert

1927 - 2020

Audrey was a past member and president of the Preble County Historical Society, a member of the Roberts Bridge Restoration Committee, accomplished genealogist, and the longtime curator of the West Alexandria Archives. Audrey's dedication to history was clear to those around her. Her passion lives on through her many publications - including her co-editing of the 1992 Preble County History Book - as well as the many donations she made to PCHS.

William "Bill" Ross

1930 - 2020

Bill was nothing short of a Renaissance man - he worked as a research chemist for the EPA, U.S. Air Force, and even NASA; served as a medic in the U.S. Army; has over 40 publications and 3 patents to his name; and he- outside of his busy career - was a devoted farmer and dairyman who worked the farm which had been in his family for over 200 years. He was an avid churchgoer and school board member for Eaton Community Schools. Everyone who knew him has only fond memories of Bill.

Myron Edgar "Scottie" Scott

1907 - 1998

Scottie lived nothing short of a fascinating life. He began working for the Dayton Daily News as a cartoonist while in high school and then became an accomplished photographer for the paper as well. Some of Scottie's photos even made it into Life magazine where they were viewed by thousands. Later, upon seeing boys racing "soap box" like contraptions with baby buggy wheels, he thought up the names for the

"All-American Soap Box Derby" and even the famous "Corvette" automobile!

Henry Horn

1755 - 1839

Henry Horn, founder of Lewisburg, Ohio, recorded his establishment on September 7, 1818. Along with founding an entire village and being a Revolutionary War veteran, Horn established several sawmills, a stillhouse, and a tannery in the area. In 1975, Henry's 1813 log house was purchased for $1, entirely disassembled, and then moved to and reassembled at the Preble County Historical Society. It has since been available for tours and serves as a reference for pioneer living.

James I. Nisbet

1777-1830

James I. Nisbet was an early settler of Preble County and founder of New Lexington in 1805. He created the first flour mill, township schoolhouse, tannery, and store in the township as well. Additionally, he was appointed associate judge for the Preble County Court of Common Pleas and county recorder, both in 1808. Nisbet served as the first postmaster of the township, and even built the first brick home in the county in 1811. Later he served in the War of 1812 as a captain. Nisbet is often considered the heart and soul of New Lexington, as he truly built the town from the ground up.