Jean Wallis named historian emeritus
Lead Summary
By
-
By Pamela Nickell
HCP columnist
Jean Gall Wallis has been named historian emeritus of the Highland County Historical Society by Board Chair Jim Rooney. The announcement was made following her final meeting as a member of the board Dec. 15 – due to the term limits established by revised by-laws in 2013.
Jean has been associated with the Historical Society for more than 40 years. She has served in the capacities of secretary (14 years), president, vice president and assistant director to Margaret VanFrank. But, always, she has been steeped in the study and sharing of the history of Highland County.
She considers the Highland House Museum her second home.
“It is widely known in the county that Jean Wallis is an historian,” said Highland House Director Vicki Knauff. "Jean thinks that reputation really got started with the many historical articles she has written.
“That, and the fact that she is old enough to remember most of the history,” joked Society member John Glaze.
Peals of laughter ensued from Jean, who replied: “Now, I did not go to school with Mother Thompson!”
However, the reputation started when Society co-founder Bob Hodson was asked to do an interview about the society for public TV he declined in favor of Jean Wallis because, he said, “She is the historian.”
Born at home, 433 East Main Street in Hillsboro, Jean has never lived anywhere other than Highland County. Her family moved from Hillsboro out into the county where she eventually graduated from Sinking Spring High School.
Even during her career with Ohio Bell, which included stints in Washington Court House, Dayton and Cincinnati, Wallis commuted from her Highland County residence.
Her interest in history was intensified as a very young person as she started working on family genealogy with her mother, confirming that her ancestors are German, English and Scotch and tracing them back to the late 1700s.
After the Highland County Historical Society was formed in 1965, she quickly took the opportunity to be involved – and never left. She also has long association with SOGS (Southern Ohio Genealogy Society).
“History and genealogy are closely related," Jean said. "You cannot have one without the other.”
She has assisted countless people trace their personal Highland County history in order to be eligible for inclusion in the ranks of First Families of Highland County. She also worked many years with Mae Jane Pence as a historian for the Hillsboro First United Methodist Church.
One cannot talk with Jean Wallis long without the name of her long-time partner and husband, Lester, coming up. During a recent interview conducted by this author, IT specialist John Glaze and Highland House Director Vicki Knauff, Jean was asked how she and Lester met. The story goes, “Well, I bought a bed at an auction and couldn't get a mattress to fit on it. So, I took the bed to Lester's shop to be adjusted. And, that's how we met. Funny thing, though, I sold that bed, but Lester bought another one from an auction for $4. It is a fine walnut bed made in Germany. I sleep in it still!”
Lester worked alongside Jean in the Highland House and is definitely missed and highly regarded. Their daughter, Beth, lives near Cincinnati and is a frequent visitor. Beth quickly confirms the "second home" status of the Highland House Museum.
Jean Gall Wallis will continue volunteering with the society in whatever capacity requested, but with her personal goal to further organize the massive amount of information in the museum library. Her goals for the society, as they have always been, are for it to continue to grow and for the museum to be a rich source of information available to all.
HCP columnist
Jean Gall Wallis has been named historian emeritus of the Highland County Historical Society by Board Chair Jim Rooney. The announcement was made following her final meeting as a member of the board Dec. 15 – due to the term limits established by revised by-laws in 2013.
Jean has been associated with the Historical Society for more than 40 years. She has served in the capacities of secretary (14 years), president, vice president and assistant director to Margaret VanFrank. But, always, she has been steeped in the study and sharing of the history of Highland County.
She considers the Highland House Museum her second home.
“It is widely known in the county that Jean Wallis is an historian,” said Highland House Director Vicki Knauff. "Jean thinks that reputation really got started with the many historical articles she has written.
“That, and the fact that she is old enough to remember most of the history,” joked Society member John Glaze.
Peals of laughter ensued from Jean, who replied: “Now, I did not go to school with Mother Thompson!”
However, the reputation started when Society co-founder Bob Hodson was asked to do an interview about the society for public TV he declined in favor of Jean Wallis because, he said, “She is the historian.”
Born at home, 433 East Main Street in Hillsboro, Jean has never lived anywhere other than Highland County. Her family moved from Hillsboro out into the county where she eventually graduated from Sinking Spring High School.
Even during her career with Ohio Bell, which included stints in Washington Court House, Dayton and Cincinnati, Wallis commuted from her Highland County residence.
Her interest in history was intensified as a very young person as she started working on family genealogy with her mother, confirming that her ancestors are German, English and Scotch and tracing them back to the late 1700s.
After the Highland County Historical Society was formed in 1965, she quickly took the opportunity to be involved – and never left. She also has long association with SOGS (Southern Ohio Genealogy Society).
“History and genealogy are closely related," Jean said. "You cannot have one without the other.”
She has assisted countless people trace their personal Highland County history in order to be eligible for inclusion in the ranks of First Families of Highland County. She also worked many years with Mae Jane Pence as a historian for the Hillsboro First United Methodist Church.
One cannot talk with Jean Wallis long without the name of her long-time partner and husband, Lester, coming up. During a recent interview conducted by this author, IT specialist John Glaze and Highland House Director Vicki Knauff, Jean was asked how she and Lester met. The story goes, “Well, I bought a bed at an auction and couldn't get a mattress to fit on it. So, I took the bed to Lester's shop to be adjusted. And, that's how we met. Funny thing, though, I sold that bed, but Lester bought another one from an auction for $4. It is a fine walnut bed made in Germany. I sleep in it still!”
Lester worked alongside Jean in the Highland House and is definitely missed and highly regarded. Their daughter, Beth, lives near Cincinnati and is a frequent visitor. Beth quickly confirms the "second home" status of the Highland House Museum.
Jean Gall Wallis will continue volunteering with the society in whatever capacity requested, but with her personal goal to further organize the massive amount of information in the museum library. Her goals for the society, as they have always been, are for it to continue to grow and for the museum to be a rich source of information available to all.