Lanier Township near Gratis in Preble County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Clarence Oldfather (1913-2000), Harold Sell (1911-2003)

— Hall of Honor —

Clarence Oldfather - Harold Sell Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 28, 2025

1. Clarence Oldfather - Harold Sell Marker

Inscription. "Sparky" Oldfather and Harold Sell bought the local paper in 1947 and built The Register-Herald into Ohio's second largest weekly. They were honored as "Publishers Emeritus" upon their sale of the paper in 1973.

Both had careers dedicated to publishing, including Oldfather's early work at Eaton's "Bulletin" and Sell's work at the "New Paris Mirror" and his founding of the "Eldorado Weekly."

Inducted into the Hall of Honor July 1, 2012

As recorders of Preble County history, PCHS and The Register-Herald are natural partners in co-sponsoring the Hall of Honor

Erected 2012 by Preble County Historical Society - The Register-Herald. (Marker Number 9.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 2012.

Location. 39° 39.488′ N, 84° 32.844′ W. Marker is near Gratis, Ohio, in Preble County. It is in Lanier Township. It is at the intersection of Swartsel Road and Ohio Route 122, on the right when traveling south on Swartsel Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7693 Swartsel Rd, Eaton OH 45320, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Richard Tuggle (here, next to this marker); Cyrena Van Gordon (here, next to this marker);

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Andrew L. Harris (here, next to this marker); Harvey Hiestand (here, next to this marker); Nathaniel Benjamin (here, next to this marker); Marian M. (1920-2010) & James W. Mitchell (1916-2012) (here, next to this marker); Thomas McQuiston (here, next to this marker); Ione Sell Hiestand (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gratis.

Preble County Historical Society & Nature Reserve - Hall of Honor image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 28, 2025

2. Preble County Historical Society & Nature Reserve - Hall of Honor

Credits. This page was last revised on July 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 90 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 2, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.