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

William Bruce

1762 - 1830

— Hall of Honor —

William Bruce Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 28, 2025

1. William Bruce Marker

Inscription. On February 20, 1806, William Bruce filed the plat plan for Eaton, OH. He provided land for the courthouse and other public buildings, churches, and schools.

He established a sawmill, gristmill, and other businesses, served as the first treasurer of the county, and received the universal and unqualified respect of county residents.

Inducted into the Hall of Honor July 5, 2015

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

Erected 2015 by Preble County Historical Society - The Register-Herald. (Marker Number 20.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is February 20, 1806.

Location. 39° 39.495′ N, 84° 32.848′ 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 Road, Eaton OH 45320, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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: Cornelius Van Ausdal (here, next to this marker); Dorothy Kiracofe (here, next to this marker); Phyllis Ashman Campbell "Mamma Jazz" (here, next to this marker); Mary Gould Brooke (1858-1946) & Edith Gould (1855-1946) (here, next to this marker); Larry A. Hart (here, next to this marker); Paul Edwin Ray (here, next to this marker); Chester "Chet" (1908-1970) & Mary Palmer Wagner (1913-1985) (here, next to this marker); Jo Ann (1927-2010) & William E. Lange (1925-2012) (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gratis.

Also see . . . Hall of Honor nominees sought. (Submitted on July 11, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

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 December 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 81 times since then and 10 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.