Local historians deserve praise for 'Greenfield'
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Harold Schmidt of the Greenfield Historical Society has been a consistent contributor to The Highland County Press, and we certainly thank him for that. If there's something going on with the Society and you read about it on our website or in our newspaper, chances are, Mr. Schmidt had something to do with it.
Connie Ford, a good friend of my mother, also has shared several photos for publication.
Our friend George Foltz has been another contributing reporter on Greenfield news and history. His efforts to share information with the present generation of young adults are similarly and equally appreciated – and if anyone reading this column knows George, please print a copy for him. He doesn't really like the Internet!
All of these and other local historians are mentioned in a new book, a pictorial history of the city/village of Greenfield entitled "Greenfield," which is in the Images of America series published by Arcadia Publishing.
Leigh Scott, a sales and marketing specialist with Arcadia, was kind enough to send us an advance copy of the 128-page collection of famous people and events from Greenfield.
For background information, Arcadia credits "The Historical Society of Greenfield, established in 1949, (which) has shared some of the best images from its extensive photographic collection."
The Historical Society members also shared photographs from their personal collections.
Established in 1993, Arcadia "blends a visionary management approach with the innovative application of state-of-the-art technology to create high-quality historical publications in small local niches."
The publisher appears to have succeeded with "Greenfield."
The book, naturally, includes references to surveyor Gen. Duncan McArthur, who platted the town more than 200 years ago; and to Edward Lee McClain (of the American Pad and Textile Company) and his gift of education to the community, perfectly situated "along the Paint Creek Valley and the Old College Road between Athens and Oxford."
The C.R. Patterson and Son Carriage Company is mentioned. This was back when Greenfield had its own automobile manufacturer, Frederick Douglass Patterson, C.R.'s son.
Rear Admiral Noble Irwin and Gen. John Hull are in there, too. So is Donald Eugene Lytle, known to millions as country music "outlaw" and Grand Ole Opry star Johnny Paycheck.
There's a photo of the depot for the old Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad, which traveled through Greenfield.
According to local stories, Henry Ford (yes, the Henry Ford of Michigan) cut off the shipment of steel for automobiles by way of the DT&I to the Patterson Company, fearing the Greenfield competition.
The Greenfield Grain and Hay Company is in there with the Iseman family photos.
On Page 26, you'll find actress June Knight wearing a pair of Wilknit Hosiery pantyhose (nylons?).
Close to my own heart is a picture of the Greenfield Printing and Publishing Company employees at North Washington Street where the Southern Hills Community Bank now resides. Why is that photo close to my heart? Easy. I have as much ink in my veins as they did. After all, how many people in Highland County history have been members of the Master Printers of America as journeyman press operators, as well as editors, publishers and owners of their own newspapers?
Then there's the U.S. Shoe Corporation, the Beall Company, the Elliott Hotel and many photos of early settlers, their families, businesses and community contributions.
On Page 122, is a wonderful photo of the Fruitdale Band submitted by Lew Speakman. (I wonder if Lew Speakman is related to Arnold Speakman, with whom I worked for more than a decade at Rotary Forms Press, Inc.)
E.L. McClain and the Greenfield Glee Club are on the facing page.
What a fabulous collection of local history! Thank you, Greenfield Historical Society and Arcadia Publishing for this keepsake edition.
The Greenfield Historical Society will hold a publishing reception on Monday, Jan. 23 to celebrate the release of the book. The reception will be held at the Grain and Hay building at the corner of Jefferson Street and North McArthur Way from 5-8 pm. Board members and book committee members will be present to greet visitors and discuss the new book. Books will be available for purchase at $23.50, which includes sales tax.
For more information, call Harold Schmidt at 937 981-2905 or go to: www.arcadiapublishing.com/9780738588735/Greenfield.
Rory Ryan is publisher of The Highland County Press.
Connie Ford, a good friend of my mother, also has shared several photos for publication.
Our friend George Foltz has been another contributing reporter on Greenfield news and history. His efforts to share information with the present generation of young adults are similarly and equally appreciated – and if anyone reading this column knows George, please print a copy for him. He doesn't really like the Internet!
All of these and other local historians are mentioned in a new book, a pictorial history of the city/village of Greenfield entitled "Greenfield," which is in the Images of America series published by Arcadia Publishing.
Leigh Scott, a sales and marketing specialist with Arcadia, was kind enough to send us an advance copy of the 128-page collection of famous people and events from Greenfield.
For background information, Arcadia credits "The Historical Society of Greenfield, established in 1949, (which) has shared some of the best images from its extensive photographic collection."
The Historical Society members also shared photographs from their personal collections.
Established in 1993, Arcadia "blends a visionary management approach with the innovative application of state-of-the-art technology to create high-quality historical publications in small local niches."
The publisher appears to have succeeded with "Greenfield."
The book, naturally, includes references to surveyor Gen. Duncan McArthur, who platted the town more than 200 years ago; and to Edward Lee McClain (of the American Pad and Textile Company) and his gift of education to the community, perfectly situated "along the Paint Creek Valley and the Old College Road between Athens and Oxford."
The C.R. Patterson and Son Carriage Company is mentioned. This was back when Greenfield had its own automobile manufacturer, Frederick Douglass Patterson, C.R.'s son.
Rear Admiral Noble Irwin and Gen. John Hull are in there, too. So is Donald Eugene Lytle, known to millions as country music "outlaw" and Grand Ole Opry star Johnny Paycheck.
There's a photo of the depot for the old Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad, which traveled through Greenfield.
According to local stories, Henry Ford (yes, the Henry Ford of Michigan) cut off the shipment of steel for automobiles by way of the DT&I to the Patterson Company, fearing the Greenfield competition.
The Greenfield Grain and Hay Company is in there with the Iseman family photos.
On Page 26, you'll find actress June Knight wearing a pair of Wilknit Hosiery pantyhose (nylons?).
Close to my own heart is a picture of the Greenfield Printing and Publishing Company employees at North Washington Street where the Southern Hills Community Bank now resides. Why is that photo close to my heart? Easy. I have as much ink in my veins as they did. After all, how many people in Highland County history have been members of the Master Printers of America as journeyman press operators, as well as editors, publishers and owners of their own newspapers?
Then there's the U.S. Shoe Corporation, the Beall Company, the Elliott Hotel and many photos of early settlers, their families, businesses and community contributions.
On Page 122, is a wonderful photo of the Fruitdale Band submitted by Lew Speakman. (I wonder if Lew Speakman is related to Arnold Speakman, with whom I worked for more than a decade at Rotary Forms Press, Inc.)
E.L. McClain and the Greenfield Glee Club are on the facing page.
What a fabulous collection of local history! Thank you, Greenfield Historical Society and Arcadia Publishing for this keepsake edition.
The Greenfield Historical Society will hold a publishing reception on Monday, Jan. 23 to celebrate the release of the book. The reception will be held at the Grain and Hay building at the corner of Jefferson Street and North McArthur Way from 5-8 pm. Board members and book committee members will be present to greet visitors and discuss the new book. Books will be available for purchase at $23.50, which includes sales tax.
For more information, call Harold Schmidt at 937 981-2905 or go to: www.arcadiapublishing.com/9780738588735/Greenfield.
Rory Ryan is publisher of The Highland County Press.