Highland County Historical Society celebrates 50th anniversary, Part L
By Pamela Nickell
H.C. Historical Society
In my house there are mugs or some such containers sitting in nearly every room, holding an astonishing array of pens, pencils and markers and most often, a magnifying glass and/or reading glasses.
These receptacles also make convenient containers for random buttons, paper clips, ornament hangers or pennies.
That is my idea of organization and convenience; however, just the right pen when I am sitting down reaching for it is seldom in that particular receptacle, so the search and frustration are on!
This problem was nonexistent for Dr. Charles Leighton who used this clean lined, neat and aesthetic holder specifically for pens only.
Can’t you imagine the busy gentleman, needing to sign prescriptions or orders, simply reaching over, probably without even looking, and choosing the pen of his choice?
No mess, no clutter or loss of time, having exactly what he needed close at hand.
Also, no family right there in the office who decided they needed just the pen you want somewhere else in the house and then simply not returning it. (Too busy, probably.)
Of course, an inkwell had to be nearby, too, and a blotter. No ball points or markers yet then. If the word computer even came to mind, it would have meant ‘one who computes’ (adds, subtracts, etc.)!
This penholder was the 81st item accessioned to the Highland House on Aug. 23, 1966. The accompanying card reads, “This pen holder belonged to Dr. Charles Leighton, physician and surgeon in Sinking Spring. He was born June 9, 1823 in the small New England Town of Eliot, Mass. and died Dec. 14, 1902 in Sinking Spring.
“A graduate of the Pennsylvania Medical College in Philadelphia, Dr. Leighton began his practice in Sinking Spring in 1849 and continued until his death. (The) Pen holder (was) given by Dr. Marion Myers (1894-1984), a Hillsboro resident who is recognized as the Father of the Hybrid Corn industry.”
The Highland County, Ohio Pictorial History, p. 235, further describes Dr. Leighton as “loved by all” and further relates that Leighton Chapter #521 of the Eastern Star was named for him. He was a member of the F&AM #365 Sinking Spring Masonic Lodge.
The most common items can give an insight to times and persons far preceding our own times.
The lesson is to save and preserve both the present and the past to share for the gifting to all.