Three inducted into Highland County Historical Society Hall of Fame
Lead Summary
By
Pamela Nickell-
At an event held Sunday afternoon, Sept. 11 at the Highland House Museum, three honorees were inducted into the Highland County Historical Society Hall of Fame.
Charles Sanford “Sandy” Harsha, Caspar Wever Collins and Eliza Jane Thompson join 49 previously named members.
The special occasion was well attended and was presided over by Highland House Director Vicki Knauff and emceed by charter Society Member and long-time supporter, Bob Hodson.
The proclamation of inductee Charles Sanford “Sandy” Harsha (1946-2014) reads:
• Sandy spent his life working with his spouse, Deborah, for the good of his community. They were driving forces on the Scott House Restoration Committee. He served for years as a Hillsboro City Councilman-at-Large, President of Council and Mayor of Hillsboro.
Highlights from this time include development of the Liberty Park site and realization of the YMCA. Following in the footsteps of his father, Charles Harsha, he not only was the next owner of the Harsha Monument Company (one of the oldest family businesses in the state of Ohio established in 1845) but also active in the HCHS. His son, Justin, is now carrying that tradition forward.
Sandy spent much of his time volunteering for the HCHS, serving on the Board of Trustees and as the Society's treasurer.
Caspar Wever Collins (1844-1865) was described as:
• Caspar Wever Collins, the son of Catharine and William Oliver Collins, was born in 1844. As a young child, Caspar developed a talent for art. At 17, he went with his father to the Dakota Territory to protect citizens and telegraph lines. Along the way, he recorded sites in drawings and letters. He also made maps of most of the forts his father commanded.
These were used officially by the War Department. On 30 June 1863, he was commissioned in the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant and became part of Co. G of the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. Lt. Caspar Collins was killed 26 July 1865 while escorting a wagon train to the Platte Bridge Station. asper, Wyoming is named in his honor.
The plaque of Eliza Jane Trimble Thompson (1816-1905) reads:
• Eliza Jane was the only daughter of Governor Allen and Rachel Trimble. She married James Henry Thompson and they had eight children. On the evening of Dec. 23, 1873, Eliza's life changed forever when Dio Lewis gave a free lecture at Music Hall. She was not in attendance, but a son and daughter were, volunteering for a committee.
The next morning, she hurried to the Presbyterian Church where she was elected leader of the Women's Crusade. She became known throughout the civilized world as “Mother” Thompson, one of the organizers of the great Temperance Movement whose foundation was laid in Hillsborough on Christmas Eve of 1873.
Bob Hodson read these statements written by Society member John Glaze and presented them for display in the Highland County Historical Society Hall of Fame to Deborah Harsha, Historian Jean Wallis and Director Vicki Knauff.
Mr. Hodson's presentation included acknowledgement of the importance of recognizing and preserving our past and remarks about leadership – seeing a need and stepping into it to get the need fulfilled.
He illustrated leadership with the recitation of a poem he learned as a young child, "It Couldn't Be Done" by Edgar A Guest.
Mr. Hodson further reminded that there are many folks worthy of inclusion in this Hall of Fame. Please check the HCHS website for an application to nominate the person(s) you have in mind.
Charles Sanford “Sandy” Harsha, Caspar Wever Collins and Eliza Jane Thompson join 49 previously named members.
The special occasion was well attended and was presided over by Highland House Director Vicki Knauff and emceed by charter Society Member and long-time supporter, Bob Hodson.
The proclamation of inductee Charles Sanford “Sandy” Harsha (1946-2014) reads:
• Sandy spent his life working with his spouse, Deborah, for the good of his community. They were driving forces on the Scott House Restoration Committee. He served for years as a Hillsboro City Councilman-at-Large, President of Council and Mayor of Hillsboro.
Highlights from this time include development of the Liberty Park site and realization of the YMCA. Following in the footsteps of his father, Charles Harsha, he not only was the next owner of the Harsha Monument Company (one of the oldest family businesses in the state of Ohio established in 1845) but also active in the HCHS. His son, Justin, is now carrying that tradition forward.
Sandy spent much of his time volunteering for the HCHS, serving on the Board of Trustees and as the Society's treasurer.
Caspar Wever Collins (1844-1865) was described as:
• Caspar Wever Collins, the son of Catharine and William Oliver Collins, was born in 1844. As a young child, Caspar developed a talent for art. At 17, he went with his father to the Dakota Territory to protect citizens and telegraph lines. Along the way, he recorded sites in drawings and letters. He also made maps of most of the forts his father commanded.
These were used officially by the War Department. On 30 June 1863, he was commissioned in the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant and became part of Co. G of the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. Lt. Caspar Collins was killed 26 July 1865 while escorting a wagon train to the Platte Bridge Station. asper, Wyoming is named in his honor.
The plaque of Eliza Jane Trimble Thompson (1816-1905) reads:
• Eliza Jane was the only daughter of Governor Allen and Rachel Trimble. She married James Henry Thompson and they had eight children. On the evening of Dec. 23, 1873, Eliza's life changed forever when Dio Lewis gave a free lecture at Music Hall. She was not in attendance, but a son and daughter were, volunteering for a committee.
The next morning, she hurried to the Presbyterian Church where she was elected leader of the Women's Crusade. She became known throughout the civilized world as “Mother” Thompson, one of the organizers of the great Temperance Movement whose foundation was laid in Hillsborough on Christmas Eve of 1873.
Bob Hodson read these statements written by Society member John Glaze and presented them for display in the Highland County Historical Society Hall of Fame to Deborah Harsha, Historian Jean Wallis and Director Vicki Knauff.
Mr. Hodson's presentation included acknowledgement of the importance of recognizing and preserving our past and remarks about leadership – seeing a need and stepping into it to get the need fulfilled.
He illustrated leadership with the recitation of a poem he learned as a young child, "It Couldn't Be Done" by Edgar A Guest.
Mr. Hodson further reminded that there are many folks worthy of inclusion in this Hall of Fame. Please check the HCHS website for an application to nominate the person(s) you have in mind.