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

Chester "Chet" (1908-1970) & Mary Palmer Wagner (1913-1985)

— Hall of Honor —

Chester "Chet" & Mary Palmer Wagner Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 28, 2025

1. Chester "Chet" & Mary Palmer Wagner Marker

Inscription. The Wagners opened the Whispering Oaks Restaurant in 1947 and that led to the founding of Henny Penny to manufacture high quality cooking equipment. Active in Rotary, church, Shrine and politics, Chet also established a forestry scholarship and and award. When widowed, Mary guided the business and insured a successful transition upon its sale in 1976.

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 23.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. 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 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: Paul Edwin Ray (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); Phyllis Ashman Campbell "Mamma Jazz" (here, next to this marker); Cornelius Van Ausdal (here, next to this marker); Billy J. "Bill" Sewert (here, next to this marker); Dorothy Kiracofe (here, next to this marker); William Bruce (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 86 times since then and 18 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.