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

William Morton Hildebolt

1943 - 2020

— Hall of Honor —

William Morton Hildebolt Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 28, 2025

1. William Morton Hildebolt Marker

Inscription. One of The Ohio State University's "100 Buckeyes You Should Know," Hildebolt had a distinguished career in food and environmental services. He held over 20 patents and recorded his role as principal inventor of Prego Spaghetti Sauce in his book "It's in There!"

In Preble County he expanded the family farm to over 800 acres and secured its heritage as a PCHS 200-year-old single family ownership recognized by the State Ohio.

Inducted into the Hall of Honor September 26, 2021

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

Erected 2021 by Preble County Historical Society - The Register-Herald. (Marker Number 45.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is September 26, 2021.

Location. 39° 39.496′ N, 84° 32.847′ 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, 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: George (1928-1996) & Glendine Huggins Wadlington (1928-1992) (here,

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next to this marker); Gregory Alan Arnett (here, next to this marker); Horace "Junior" Kramer (here, next to this marker); Audrey Gilbert (here, next to this marker); William "Bill" Ross (here, next to this marker); Rosetta "Rosie" McNees (here, next to this marker); Silas Dooley, Sr. (here, next to this marker); Sarah Elizabeth Daugherty Reynolds (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 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 69 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 3, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.