Courtesy of the Forest-Area Historical Society. Additional information? email the Society .
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| First School |
orest School.
We think this was the first brick school building in Forest. The location is unknown as the school no longer exists. The names of the individuals in the photograph were written on the back. There may have been some order at the time, but that order has long been forgotten. In an interview in 1990 with Ray Hempy and the member of the Forest-Area Historical Society, Ray indicated that he was in this photograph though he was unable to pick himself out. The others in the class are identified when you click on the photograph.
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| Forest School - 5th grade (no date) |
The shoes and dress of the students in the photograph below dates it circa 1890-1910. And the students in this photograph are very much like the ones in the 1913 class. If so, this class would be, in no particular order: John Buess, Lawrence Stone, Lawrence O'Brien, Majorie Hune, Elnora Bolden, Dorothy Peterman, William Hart, Avonelle (Higgins) O'Brien, Martha (Dickelman) Keiper, Hazel (Wright) Wilson, Doris (Cessna) Leahy, and Ruth (Kachely~Kackely) Walter, Inez Clinger (Akron, OH teacher), Omah Green, Francis Winaus, Eva Bowen, Richard Burdett, Charles Spoon, Lawrence Wright, and Carnita Briggs.
Below right is a photograph showing the Forest school on Dixon street around 1910. The two individuals in the photograph are unknown. Ida Moore taught school in this building for many years.
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| Forest School |
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| Ida Moore |
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| Program |
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| Characters |
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| Ads |
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| Ads |
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| Cast |
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| Synopsis |
At the time of the Senior Class Play & Concert of 1923 Cleon Burk, Bradley Price, William Devore, Robert Spencer, Glenn Bunnell, Carrol Switzer, John McDaniel, Joe Switzer, Irene Bash, Lola Secord, Violet Farney, Ruth Stauffer, Mary Ash, Harriet Liles, Helen Stauffer, Anna Pfeiffer, Leland Kear, Beulah McQuown, Bertha Baker, Clarence Parsell, Ruthanna Cary, Irene Burk, Bernice Edgington, Ellura Ropp, Loraine Elsasser, and Mabel Beagle participated.
The directress was Mary Eleanor Freeman with Ruth Stauffer being the acccompanist. The sopranos were Vivian Briggs, Irene Burk, Ruthanna Cary, Bernice Edgington, Golda Fewel, Harriet Liles, Ellura Ropp, and Helen Stauffer. Altos were Mable Beagle, Loraine Elsasser, Marjorie Latham, Esther Switzer, and Erma Young. The tenors were Cleon Burk, William Devore, Bradley Price, and Joe Switzer. Louis Crum, Dan McClain, Clarence Parsell, Paul Simpson, Carroll Switzer, and Robert Thrush were the bases.
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| Commencement |
There is no photographs of the class of 1926, but we do have a list of graduates. They were Cloyce E. Angier, Helen C. Albert, Dale A. Baker, Ivan Berlien, Forrest E. Bowen, Guanetia I. Briggs, Roscoe H. Campbell, Donald J.H. Corey, Louis J. Crum, S. Kathryn Fout, Norman L. Foltz, Mildred E. Geahlen, Anna E. Horn, Margaret Hune, Margaret Mable Ickes, Kenneth B. Jaquith, Lucille S. Jolliff, Margaret Kachely, Wilbur J.L. Kallies, Albert E. Liles, J. Bruce Long, Violet I. Lockard, Cecil J. McCumber, Gertrude E. Miller, Esther D. Parsell, Eloise Price, Wilma E. Rickenbach, Paul E. Rish, Geneva B. Sanford, Marcia May Shields, Beth Silverthorn, Robert M. Swain, Paul G. Simpson, Helen E. Wilch, and Ruby Webb.
The old school was torn down in the late 1930s to make way for a new school. In 1936 the new school was built. It was located next to the site of the old school as can be seen in the two photographs on the right. Both the old school and the new school faced Dixon street to their north.
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| 1 May 1936 |
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Old Forest School
(Being Razed) |
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Old Forest School
(Being Razed) |
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Old Forest School
(Late 1930s) |
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| 1 May 1936 |
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| 1 May 1936 |
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| 15 May 1936 |
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| 15 May 1936 |
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Old Forest School
(Being Razed) |
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| Forest High School (1936?) |
On the left is a photograph of the Forest School in 1936. The three individuals in the photogrpah are listed on the back as Jean Henderson, Mary Jane Albert, and Dolly Mick. The photograph was taken in 1936.
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| Forest High School (1938) |
The two photographs (lower right) show the new school in 1938. Of the two, the right photograph is probably the rear of the building. A close obversation shows one unknown student in the open window of the right photograph.
The school finally outgrew the community and a second combined elementary through high school was built in 2002 to support the combined communities of southeast Hancock & northwest Wyandot counties and Forest. It is located approximately 41/2 miles north of Forest on OH-37. The old school was auctioned in June, 2005. Shortly thereafter, according to State law, it was razed. Its now grassed, open ground which the Village has considered making park.
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| Unknown Class/Year |
Below are miscellaneous photographs of Forest school classes through out the years. No individual in any of the photographs has been identified.
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| Forest School - Unknown Class |
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| Forest School - William Hart |
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| Forest School - Unknown Grade (no date) |
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| Forest School - Unknown Grade (no date) |
In the extreme left photograph just above (in no particular order) are Francis Winaus, William Hart, Majorie Hune, Mildred (Balsiger) Parks, Ruth (Kachely~Kackely) Walter, Hazel (Wright) Wilson, Eva Bowen. Richard Burdett, Carnita Briggs, Martha (Dickelman) Keiper, Doris (Cessna) Leahy, Omah Green, Elnora Bolden, John Buess, Charles Spoon, Lawrence O'Brien, Lawrence Stone, Lawrence Wright, and their teacher. The students graduated in 1927. No other individual in the photographs has been identified.
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| No. 1 |
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| No. 2 |
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| No. 3 |
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| No. 4 |
Nina Myers & Mr. _ Baldwin are in these photographic postal cards (No. 1 to No. 4 at the left) have Nina Myers, City written on their reverse. Nos. 3 & 4 also have Mr. Baldwin written on their reverse. No other individuals have been identified and it is unknown which classes they are.
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| Allyn (1893) |
Professor Frank Allyn, in 1893, was the teacher of Hallie Dale Shields. There were many students present when Hallie Shields and classmates had their photograph taken with Professor Frank Allyn. Because the photograph depicts a large number of student, it may be all classes grouped. On October 1, 1943 Franklin P. Allyn after retiring as the Superintendent of Schools, died at the Scott Rest Home in Kenton, Ohio. He was born in Union county, Ohio on October 13, 1857 and was married to Julia Hansel Allyn. His father was Wm H. Allyn and he had been in the area for all but five of his eighty-five years. The 1962 Forest Yearbook has a number of graduating classes listed, but fails to list this one. The class of 1888 had two graduates. The class of 1899 had nine graduates. There are no listing for classes between 1888 and 1899. It is likely this is more than just the 1893 seniors. It was Hallie Shields’ last year of high school.
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| Class of Prof. Allyn |
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| School Teachers |
This photograph (Forest School Teachers, 1903) of the school teachers of Forest, Hardin Co., Ohio was taken in 1903. Present were: Charles Price, Ella Joy McClung, Belle Reed, and Mava Spellman.
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| 7th Grade, April 13, 1913 |
Present when this Seventh Grade, April 16, 1913 photograph was taken were: BACK: Carol Liles, Harry Mick, Jean Simpson, Rufus Payne, Paul Jenkins, William Wentz, Carol Darringer, Claud Cramer, and Gay Staby. MIDDLE: Arthur Cooper, Frances White, Helen Rabberman Ewing, Beatrice Albert, Ella McClurg (teacher), Inez Clinger, Kenneth Aaglow, and Harold Lehman. FRONT: Esther Dysinger, Virginia Silverthorn, Kathering Van Fleet, Reefa Hissong, Crystal McCleary, and Gladis Hune.
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O.B. Durfee
advertisement 1 |
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| 1st Grade (c1914) |
On May 15, 1914 Forest school students gathered outside the school to have their picture taken. The father of one of those students, O.B. Durfee, was the local photographer. Also present at the time were: Supt. __ Estrick,2 George Fox, Vernon Lockhard, Harold Benjamin, Justin Farmer, Robert Carrick, Charley Naus, Arthur Lodge, Aaron Pickett, Charles Spoon, Ruby Dale Balliet, Helen Nye, Margaret Holmes, Margery Hune, Argyl Liles, Eugenia Spitzer, Kathryn Fout, Carrie Knapp, Catherine Cook, LaVern Talbert, Violet Durfee, Emma Lodge, Nina Buess (absent, class of 1925), Julia Reed (absent); and those withdrawn; Morris O'Brien, Lola L. Roose, Ruth Miller, and Russel McMullen.
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| Forest School - Second Grade (1921) |
BACK: Wayne Morehouse (Forest School, 1921, Second Grade), Howard Cooper, Burton _Snider?_, Harry Price, Willis Bash, Franklin Cline, Wayne Cook, and Frances Eloise Hume. MIDDLE: (teacher), Alvin Spoon, Lucile O'Brien, Nelson Anderson, Paul Liles, Margery Malferd, Ester Bash, Ralph Knapp, Georgia Coons, and Mary Elizabeth Barteldt(?). FRONT: Bernice Hickle, Louise Poling, Helen Burnell, Geo. Tromnler(?), Harold Oats, Dow Harman, Violet Burk, Margaret Bunnell, Dorothy Southland, and Alma Stone.
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| Forest School - 4th Grade (Oct 1922) |
In Mrs. Ida Burdett’s 4th grade class of Forest school (October, 1922) were BACK: Inez Stewart, Violet Biden, Violet McDaniel, Dortha Spoon, Mrs. __ Burdett (teacher), Mary Binegar, Milbern Wilcox, Cloyd Gault, and Kenneth Carpenter. MIDDLE: Alberta Foltz, Evaline Biden, Josephine Wolford, Helen Zimmerman, Thelma Rudolph, Grace Musgrave, Edith Fromiler, Jessie Green, Rachel Becktel, Agnes Buess, and Ruth Southward. FRONT: Ralph Spencer, Ralph Cline, Franklin Wright, Thurman Wright, Ramond C., George L., Budd L., Joseph S., Vernon D., Philip R., Albert B., and Earl Almy.
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| Forest School - 6th Grade (1924) |
In front of the old high school building the 6th grade (Forest school, 1924) met to have their photograph taken. This would be the class of 1931. Present were: BACK: Helen Stauffer (teacher), Violet McDaniel, Mary Binegar, Alberta Foltz, Dorthy Spoon, and Edith Trombler. MIDDLE: Leota (Burk) Swan, Avonelle (Latham) Main, Thelma Rudolph, Helen Zimmerman, Sarah Wilkins, Rachel Bechtel, Agness Buess, Eveyln Biden, Grace Musgrave, and Grace Bechtel. FRONT: Geo. Gault, Milborn Wilcox, Joe Shields, Nelson Conley, Perry Turner, Orville Karsh, Bud Lodge, Kenneth Carpenter, Thurman Wright, Ralph Cline, Phillip Rutan, and Albert Balsiger.
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| 4th Grade (1926) |
The only individual identified in the Forest school 4th grade class of 1926 is Elnora Bolden (back row, third from the right end). The students are separated as follows (all rows are counted from the left): First row sitting, 6 students; second row sitting, 9 students; third row standing, 11 students; and back row standing, 10 students for a total of 36 students.
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| Locomotive |
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| Fight, Fight, Fight! |
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| Commencement (1937) |
Baccalaureate services for Forest High school for the class of 1937 were held in the Methodist Protestant church on June 6, 1937 at 8:00 o'clock p.m.
Miss Justina Evans gave the Processional. The scripture and prayer were led by Rev. John K. Chaney, pastor M.P. church. The Forest Schools 8th grade choir sang with Miss Justina Evans directing. The Baccalaureate Sermon was given by Rev. C.L. Buehler, pastor M.E. church. Rev. Robert H. Yolton, pastor First Presbyterian church gave the Benediction. Listed on the class roll for graduation were Bernece E. Hemmerly, Madeline A. Oates, Robert William Haner, E. Dale Brown, Merritt M. Corbin, Ardyn N. Humphrey, Rosella Young, Everett F. Jump, Walter B. Wilkinson, Edwin H. Simpson, Ruthella J. Lehman, Mildred Angier, Norma Eileen Thrush, Lawrence R. Musgrave, Eugenia Lucille Hamilton, William T. Deringer, Ronald G. Liles, Betty Alice Poling, Julia Ruth Dunham, Elsie Mae Miller, Martha E. Bash, James E. Grafmiller, Ray E. Van Scoit, Mary Louise Weber, and Ronald D. Simpson.
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| Forest School |
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| Boys Group |
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| Boys Basketball |
Leo West and Helen (Hensel) West are in several photographs.3 All classes, dates, and the individuals in the classes are unknown, but several photographs have a year printed on them.
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| F.H.S. Basketball, 1920 |
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| F.H.S. Boys Basketball, 1920 |
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| Tiffin vs. Forest, 1920 |
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| F.D.F. Girls Basketball, 1921 |
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| F.D.F. Girls Basketball, 1921 |
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| Forest Boys Basketball, 1921 |
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ournaments.
Bluffton College, Bluffton, Ohio, March 11-12, 1921. Referenced in this booklet are: Graham & Cartlich Co., Clair Stettler, John Geiger, Lyle Strubhar, Waldo Schumacher, and H.W. Berky.
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TEAMS AND PLAYERS
ADA: Nolan Smith, Orville Lones, Russel Anspach, Clifford Dickson, Laird McElroy, Herbert Greer, Chas. Brecheisen
ARLINGTON: Robert Solt, Chester Dexter, Guy Kimmel, Harold Castor, Max Long, Lester Beach, Elsworth Snyder
BEAVERDAM: Paul Stoodt, Joe Conrad, Ernest Hall, Ralph Williams, Darst Yant, Paul Bassitt, Harold Eckenwiler
BLUFFTON: Harold Althaus, Howard Augsburger, Rolland Kibele, Paul Crosser, Art Hochstettler, Dwight Musselman, Eugene Alspach
FOREST: Dwight Burk, Merald Lue, William Devore, Arden Craglow, R. Price, Wilson, Curtiss
FREMONT: Harold Wendler, William Ross, Julius Letterman, Amos J. Boyer, Edburn Eesley, Louis Gabel, Dale Miller
GOMER: Oren Ford, Wm. Tudor, Chester Kesler, Rudy Shenk, Carol Shenk, Kenneth Hunt, Harold Pugh
HARROD: Ralph Lawrence, Brooks Godfrey, Fred Guy, Russel Wooley, John Johnson, Edwin Spoul, Lloyd Young
KENTON: Philip Held, Donald Patterson, Francis Eaton, Oliver Bowers, William Young, Raymond Ferner, Harold Bixler
LAFAYETTE: H. Hall, H. Reagan, A. Esmonde, D. Plaugher, C. Eversole, C. Urich, R. Stauffer.
MCCOMB: Kenneth Brandyberry, Maurice Cooper, Gerald Oram, Ralph Shuler, Wallace Barger, Clarence Rosenberger, Webster Ewing
PANDORA: Harry Niswander, Clarence Schneck, Carl Light, Barton Sutter, Jesse Lehman, Fred Hilty, Raymond Hilty
RAWSON: Paul brenner, Paul Trask, Garnie Powell, Hollis McDowell, Burnett Hughes, Wallace Keller, Frank Coffin
ROCKFORD: Oscar Abbot, Floyd Cook, Dolan Purdy, Donald Martz, Donald Frysinger, Ronald Strayer, Edgar Dysert
SYCAMORE: Karl Hackman, Claude Stover, Beryl Ludwig, Derwyn Stalter, Guy Mackling, George Mackling, Henry Sneeringer
VAN BUREN: Merle Stough, Merle Steen, Warren Snodgrass, Dale Sands, Walter Bowman, Melvin Cline, Delos Burrell
VAUGHNSVILLE: Richard Lemley, Dwight Griffity, Allen Litten, Homer Tudor, Vernon Thomas, Frank Clevenger, George Williams
WAYNESFIELD: C.J. Coffin, Robert Neff, Myron Moyer, Doan Horn, Harold Waitman, Glenn Heileman, Floyd Jett
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Graduation took place in the Methodist Episcopal church, Thursday, Evening, May 17, 1921.
The commencement address was given by Charles S. Meek on the 17th. The Junior-Senior Banquet had occurred Friday, May 11th and the Baccalaureate Sermon on Sunday evening, May 13th. The class play, "The Ghost Bird", had been conducted on May 3rd and 4th. The class consisted of the following individuals: Grace Angier, Loren Baker, Ralph Baker, Ira Bear, Pauline Buess, Fred Buess, Paul Fernbaugh, Velma Geahlen, Elsworth Hafer, Paul Harper, Mary Holmes, Russel Inman, Juanetia Jolliff, George Knapp, Martha Lafferty, Valeria Liles, Vernon Lockard, Helen March, Edna Miller, Charles Moore, Jessie McKinley, Mary Pemberton, Mildred Pemberton, Helen Quail, Harold Rudolph, Louis Rutan, Florence Rutan, Ivan Schmidt, Alice Silverthorn, Lawrence Spoon, Pauline Warner, Paul West, Doris Young, and Pauline Zimmerman. The class flower was the American Beauty Rose, the class motto; work and win, and the colors; purple and gold. Below are scans of one of Vernon Lockard’s graduation programs.
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The S.S. Davis Lodge No. 230, Knights of Phythius, 50th Anniversary, Forest, Ohio letter on the right references the Good-Will Trio from Patterson.
