HISTORICAL DAY … The Willams County Commissioners held their celebratory meeting on Friday, June 7th exactly 200 years to the day from the very first Willams County Commissioners meeting. Pictured above are: (Back) Denver Henderson, Anne Retcher, Bart Westfall, Tom Strup, Alan Word, Brian Davis, and Lew Hilkert. (Front) Don Steinke, Barb Fisher, Gloria Osburn, Marvin Stuckey, and Nancy Kraemer. (PHOTO BY JENNA FRISBY / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
By: Anna Wozniak
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
anna@thevillagereporter.com
Honoring history is something that Northwest Ohioans know well, and Friday, June 7th was no exception.
That morning saw the gathering of officials on the third floor of the Williams County Courthouse for a very special celebration -the 200th anniversary of the Williams County Commissioners.
Denver Henderson, moderator for the Williams County 200 Committee, then introduced historian Bill Priest, who shared how on June 7, 1824, the Williams County Commissioners met for the very first time in a log cabin in Defiance.
Not only was this cabin often the same temperature as the outdoors, but residents occupying the northern end of the county expressed discontent with the travel required to reach their county seat.
As such, the State of Ohio sent a board of commissioners to Bryan, which included John Bryan and William Trevitt, and continued to share how all commissioners have at least one thing in common -the need to build or maintain a courthouse.
He added that at first, a temporary two-story courthouse was erected about a block North of what is now the post office, on the South corner of Mulberry and Main streets.
This building, destroyed by an earthquake in September of 1884, saw the streets lined with carriages and the courtyard filled with firewood and livestock.
Priest cited multiple examples of past commissioners having to remedy issues relating to courthouses -including the courthouse tower fireworks mishap of 1890’s Independence Day celebration.
It was shared that on July 4th, the third firework malfunctioned, resulting in minor injuries and damage to the courthouse tower.
That was the last time fireworks were launched from the tower, with those who were present reported as remembering the explosion-like incident for the remainder of their lives.
Also touched on was Charles “Minor” Leichty, who put Bryan on the map when he descended from the top of the Williams County Courthouse and set the world record for flagpole sitting. Leichty spent 21 days, 1 hour and 4 minutes resting on a platform attached to the courthouse flagpole.
Priest continued to thank the commissioners for their opening of Hillside Country Living, ensuring that the elderly in our community are treated with dignity during the twilight years of their lives.
Also present was Ohio State Representative Jim Hoops, who shared that as we look to the history behind us, “we realize that life is short, and that it happens really quick.”
COMMEMORATIVE PICTURE … Cheryl Subler, the Executive Director of the County Commissioner Association of Ohio, and Assistant Director John Leutz presented Commissioner Westfall and Commissioner Hilkert with a commemorative drawing of the Williams County Courthouse, marked with the 200th anniversary date. (PHOTO BY ANNA WOZNIAK / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
“While we’re here, we can make an impact -whether you’re a businessman, elected official, teacher, farmer, even an employee at one of the businesses, a coach, a grandparent, a dad or mom- we can have a big impact on the youth and what it’s going to be like 50 years from now, 100 years from now.” “Hopefully it gets people to think about what kind of legacy we want to leave,” he added.
Cheryl Subler, the Executive Director of the County Commissioner Association of Ohio, and Assistant Director John Leutz then presented Commissioners Bartley Westfall and Lewis Hilkert with a drawing of the courthouse, dated for the 200th anniversary.
Subler added that they were “happy to help celebrate all of the fabulous work that has happened so far” in Williams County.
Deputy Clerk Robin Kemp and Clerk Anne Retcher were then thanked for all they do to keep the Commissioner’s Office running efficiently, with Commissioner Westfall sharing that “if you think the commissioners have had success, it’s not because of the commissioners -it’s because of these people,” while gesturing to the hardworking ladies.
Henderson then read aloud a proclamation, honoring June 7th at the 200th anniversary of the Williams County Commissioners Office, before all past commissioners were thanked and given a commemorative gift, the last of which were awarded to the current commissioners.
It was then noted that Commissioner Lewis Hilkert, as of June 7th, 2024, has officially broken the record for the highest number of years spent in service to Williams County as commissioner, with everyone then recognizing him with applause for that honorable feat.
The ceremony then concluded, with it being shared, that the courthouse, beautifully built beginning in 1888, was available to tour for anyone interested.