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

Cornelius Van Ausdal

1783 - 1870

— Hall of Honor —

Cornelius Van Ausdal Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 28, 2025

1. Cornelius Van Ausdal Marker

Inscription. The pioneer merchant of Eaton and Lewisburg, Van Ausdal created wholesale and retail commerce of all kinds. He served on the local railroad board, insured completion of the Christian Church building in Eaton, was a Deputy U.S. Marshall (taking the first census in the county), served as a state legislator, and owned the Western Telegraph weekly newspaper.

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 21.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is July 5, 2015.

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

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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: Dorothy Kiracofe (here, next to this marker); Phyllis Ashman Campbell "Mamma Jazz" (here, next to this marker); Paul Edwin Ray (here, next to this marker); William Bruce (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); Irene Hardy (here, next to this marker); Billy J. "Bill" Sewert (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 108 times since then and 19 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.