Henry Gramlich Is Claimed On Sunday
Banker Would Have Been 104 Years Today Henry W. Gramlich, centenarian Kenton banker, passed away on the eve of his 104th birthday Sunday at 1:40 p.m. He would have been 104 years of age today.
"Kenton's Grand Old Man," as he was familiarly known, died quietly after a serious illness of four weeks. He had been at San Antonio hospital since last November though his residence was in 334˝ N. Main-st.
A veteral banker and businessman, he was born to Mr. and Mrs. John Frederick Gramlich, who came to Hardin county in 1838 from Swabia Wuertenberg, province in Germany. He was born in a log cabin in Cessna-tp, west of Kenton.
At six he attended school in a log barn and the following winter went to a log school house first known as Reid's school, and later as Brush college. He was one of 137 young men and women to enter Ohio Northern university on Aug. 15, 1871, founded by Prof. Henry S. Lehr, who was a great friend of the Gramlich family. Today, a charter student, he was the oldest living member of the first class. At the age of 20 he began teaching in country schools, and for five consecutive winters taught at Bateson Salem, Eagle and Whitmore schools and at Brush college.
STARTED BANKING WORK Mr. Gramlich, with his father and several other Hardin-co citizens chartered the Hardin Savings bank (now the First National bank) in 1875 and he was later elected secretary - treasurer and a member of the board of directors until eight years ago, at the age of 96 when he retired, Mr. Gramlich carried on in the same room for 72 years. He served as vice president of the bank. His business interests were not confined to the banking enterprise for he helped found The Ohio Machine Tool Co. in 1890. His only public office was that being a member of the sinking fund trustee for the city of Kenton. He held this post for 36 years as a sideline.
He was a member of all local Masonic bodies and only recently he was presented his 50-year jewel award on his 50th anniversary of his being raised a Master Mason in Latham Lodge No. 154 Free and Accepted Masons. He is believed to be the oldest member of the Masonic lodge in the world. He was a Past High Priest of Scioto Chapter 119 Royal Arch Masons and Past Eminent Commander of Kenton Commandery, No. 58, Knights Templar. He also took an important part in the Super Excellent Master degree in Kenton Council No. 65 Royal and select Masters. On his 91st birthday he joined the Order of Eastern Star.
He recalled many historical incidents of early life in Hardin-co. He had many interesting tales about Indians who lived in the county when he was a youngster. He related changes in banking practices in as much as he has seen electricity replace kerosenelighting; longhand and tedious bank reports and statements to typewriters, adding machines, posting machines and mechanical aides of all types. He still had on hand longhand statements he first wrote on Jan. 11, 1881.
On Oct 31, 1883 Mr. Gramlich was married to Sarah E. Ford of Urbana. She died March 13, 1923. Surviving are one son, Ford, and several nieces and nephews.
During his long life, Mr. Gramlich voted for president 21 times. He cast his last presidential ballot for President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The aged man told how he lost his first vote for president. He cast his ballot for Free Soil Democrat Horace Greeley. He also lost in 1876 with Samuel Tilden. He won in 1880 with his vote for James A. Garfield when he changed his politics. He has voted Republican since.
Speaking of the "Horse and Buggy Days" Mr. Gramlich liked to tell his listeners, "I was here BEFORE the Horse and Buggy Days. I can remember when I went to church in an ox cart."
FUNERAL WEDNESDAY Funeral services will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Price funeral home with Rev. H.E. Pfister of Troy in charge. Burial will be in Grove cemetery. The Knights Templar will be in charge of rites Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
The body will remain at the funeral home where friends may call.
Mr. Gramlich left a request that flowers be omitted and that money which would have been spent for them be used for some worthy cause.
