Highland County Historical Society celebrates 50th anniversary, Part 39
By Pamela Nickell
H.C. Historical Society
Purported to be the oldest item in the Highland House, this dictionary stand is found in the West Parlor under the window, appropriately near the large bookcase belonging to United States Senator and Ohio Governor (1886-1890), J. B. Foraker.
The bookcase is completely filled with Governor Foraker’s books.
On the nearby bookstand, is an enormous vintage dictionary.
To whom the dictionary stand belonged, though, we do not know as it is listed as FIC (Found in Collection) on its accession paper dated 10-30-67.
This would indicate that the item was in the Highland House when the property was purchased in 1966 by the newly formed Historical Society.
Just as previous research completed and entered on the web helps me with this effort, the new computer program at the museum is making it possible to add, with a click and some keystrokes, newly discovered information, as we find it, to our official record of each object.
It may be clarified that the bookstand is thought to be the oldest manufactured item in the museum as there are certainly hand hewn tools, native, and farming items even older. Manufactured by L.W. Noyes of Chicago in the 19th century, the stand is very heavy metal with adjustable height.
You can see the label on one of the ‘arms’ describing how to put it together and how to adjust its height.
LaVerne W. Noyes (Jan. 7, 1849-July 24, 1919) was born in Cayuga County, N.Y. and graduated from the Iowa State Agricultural College.
He began business by inventing and manufacturing tools and farm implements in Batavia Ill.
He sold his tool business in 1879 and started the Noyes Dictionary Holder business in Chicago. This quite successful enterprise yielded to his interest in windmills.
He invented his windmill in 1888 and in 1890 established the Aeromotor Company.
Also a philanthropist, Noyes established a scholarship for World War I veterans and funded a building in honor of his wife, Ida, and landscaping that resulted in LaVerne Lake at his beloved alma mater, Iowa State.
He died without heirs and his fortune benefits still 46 colleges and universities.
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