Director

William E. Dorsey was born in July 25, 1891 to Albert E. and Elizabeth Weirough Dorsey. On December 28, 1915, William married Leila Margaret Davis. They had two children, Carolin D. Bliss and William E. Dorsey. William Dorsey Jr. passed away in an automobile accident when he was 30 years old. William Sr. was a contractor, and owned the Dorsey Construction Company. Leila Dorsey passed away in Phoenix, Arizona. William was remarried in 1921 to Elizabeth R. "Betty" Ray.Betty was a Findlay native, and won the Findlay Country Club golf championship for women several times over. She passed away in Columbus, Ohio in 1951. William married Esther McCracken who was a spinster seamstress in 1957. It is thought that other South Main Street ladies raised their eyebrows at Esther for "working inside the home", but they did go to her for her skill of needlework. William Sr. passed away on July 20, 1964 and Esther continued to live in this home until she passed on March 5, 1983.Lee and Fluellen Burcher purchased the home on July 27, 1984 from Esther's estate. Neil G. and Diana C. Naiman became the new owners on July 2, 1990. The Naimans replaced the original front door and side lights, but did keep the original shape. They also enlarged the small kitchen. Current owners, Jocko and Alanna Langlois, purchased the home in 2013.

The William E. Dorsey house was built by his father, who also bought the lot beside it. On these lots, he built two Foursquare style homes for his two sons that are mirror images of each other. This home was William's. while 1128 South Main was Ivan's. Ivan was only 17 when his home was built, so it was a rental property until he came of age. Ivan's home also had an identical porch to William's until it was removed . William's home stayed in the family for quite a few years, and has not seen too many major renovations in its time. The home is a great example of the strong American Foursquare style. 

William E. Dorsey House

Homes featured on the 2020 Findlay Historic Homes Tour.

Born in Jackson Township on April 19, 1858, John Nelson Doty was a scholarly man with a love of books. He became licensed as a teacher by the age of fifteen, and taught while also taking college courses. He taught at Findlay High School until he passed the bar in 1887. John practiced law for 15 years, making him one of the leading lawyers in Hancock County. Not only was John a lawyer, he managed a 300 acre farm in Jackson Township. On December 29, 1881, John married Bertha E. Huston. Later, they had two children Euclid Delos and Maud Ethel. John passed away on March 5, 1935 and Bertha passed on April 23, 1943. C. W. Shireman purchased the property at a sheriff's sale on July 13, 1937 for $5000. He immediately sold the home to Elswroth and Clohy Deeds. The Deeds then sold the house to Alfred and Helen Biggs on May 6, 1943. Alfred H. Biggs was born on January 22, 1903 in Everett, Michigan. He married Helen F. Heistand on October 24, 1925. Helen was born in Rawson, Ohio on January 21, 1907. Alfred was an electroplater at his Findlay Plating Works Firm. Electroplating is the process of using an electrical current to coat one metal with another metal. After World War II, the Biggs removed the porch in an attempt to modernize the home. They also added a stone-like material to the facade on the first floor. The home was sold on September 11, 1959 to Richard N. Bishop, who sold the home to Glenn M. and Annette Mahler one year later on November 11, 1960. The Mahlers sold to Robert and Eunice Davenport on July 12, 1963. Robert Jacob Davenport own Davenport Insurance Agency and was married to Eunice Zepko. Known as Findlay's favorite parade marshal, Robert took part in many parades like Veterans Day and the Findlay Sesquicentennial in 1962. Robert passed in 1971, and Eunice continued to live in the home with their three daughters: Susan (Polescki), Julie Ann, and Many Ell (Marzy). Dr. Stan and Lela Doty purchased the home on June 6, 1991. While there is no direct connection with the previous Doty owners, they are descended from the original Doty family who were early settlers of Hancock County. Stan Doty owns his own dental practice. In 1994, the Dotys were able to restore the original porch thanks to a photo of Mrs. Mildred Moran. She was posing with her car from the house across the street from the John. N. Doty house. There were just enough details in the image to be able to recreate the original porch.

The John N. Doty house was built in 1892 by attorney John Doty. While Doty bought quite a bit of property during the gas and oil boom, the lot itself was bought by his wife Bertha on October 11, 1886 for $550. The home was built in the style of Colonial Revival. The property has changed hands a few times, and has had some modifications to the facade, including a porch addition and subsequently restoration. 

John N. Doty House

William E. Dorsey was born in July 25, 1891 to Albert E. and Elizabeth Weirough Dorsey. On December 28, 1915, William married Leila Margaret Davis. They had two children, Carolin D. Bliss and William E. Dorsey. William Dorsey Jr. passed away in an automobile accident when he was 30 years old. William Sr. was a contractor, and owned the Dorsey Construction Company. Leila Dorsey passed away in Phoenix, Arizona. William was remarried in 1921 to Elizabeth R. "Betty" Ray. Betty was a Findlay native, and won the Findlay Country Club golf championship for women several times over. She passed away in Columbus, Ohio in 1951. William married Esther McCracken who was a spinster seamstress in 1957. It is thought that other South Main Street ladies raised their eyebrows at Esther for "working inside the home", but they did go to her for her skill of needlework. William Sr. passed away on July 20, 1964 and Esther continued to live in this home until she passed on March 5, 1983. Lee and Fluellen Burcher purchased the home on July 27, 1984 from Esther's estate. Neil G. and Diana C. Naiman became the new owners on July 2, 1990. The Naimans replaced the original front door and side lights, but did keep the original shape. They also enlarged the small kitchen. Current owners, Jocko and Alanna Langlois, purchased the home in 2013.

Amy Gline's husband, Ancil E. Marvin, was born on May 12, 1836 to William and Mabel Roberts Marvin. They moved to Hancock County when it was still wilderness. Ancil served in the Civil War after working for the family's sawmill business. He gave up the family business in 1868, and started selling wholesale liquor in Findlay. He was a prolific businessman and has been identified in historical records in association with the commercial growth of Findlay. Because of his success, he was able to amass significant amounts of property. Ancil bought the Humphrey House in 1888 for $35,000. His plan was to turn it into a first-class hotel for only $25,000. However, a gas explosion in 1891 set him back a little bit, but he was able to rebuild the building and it became the Marvin Hotel. Ancil married Margaret Hallowell on March 5, 1867. They had six children together. Margaret passed away on April 1, 1895. Ancil was remarried in November of 1896 to Mrs. Amy Glines. Amy was a divorcee with two adults daughters. Ancil passed away on September 1, 1899. Amy inherited this lot and built her house in 1902. Carrie, Amy's daughter, sold the house to Richard and Marie Berry on January 21, 1905 for $4,000. Richard J. Berry was born in 1873 in Oil City, Pennsylvania. In 1902, he married Marie Dodge from Columbus, Ohio. Richard then joined The Ohio Oil Company, which later became Marathon Oil. He was also both vice president and president of the First National Bank. Richard and Marie had one child named Richard J. Berry Jr. Richard was killed at the age of seven in a tragic accident a few houses down from his own when his bike slid underneath a streetcar. Richard Sr. belonged to the Put-Han-Sen area Boy Scout Council and had great interest in the program. Richard and Marie donated 80 acres of land located five miles south of Findlay to be used as a Boy Scout camp. It is known now as Camp Berry. In memory of their son, they donated a pipe organ to Trinity Episcopal Church. Richard passed away on November 16, 1933 in Fort Worth, Texas. Marie passed away on on February 27, 1940 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Before her death, Marie created a scholarship for graduates form Hancock County schools to help further their education. This scholarship is still in existence. The Berry's left the home to Richard's secretary at The Ohio Oil Company, Edward Redpath. Edward was born on August 4, 1884 in Evanston, Illinois. He married Rebea Martin on June 14, 1917. Rebea was born on July 4, 1891 to Dr. John C. and Martha Routson Martin. Edward entered The Ohio Oil Company in 1905 as secretary of the company. He later became assistant corporate secretary and in 1951 was elected executive vice president. Edward and Rebea had two children Suzanne (Libbe) and John B. Redpath. Rebea sold the home to William and Martha Nolan on October 10, 1967. The Nolans found a safe under the stairway that contained wine and liquor. They also removed the roof over the front porch. In 1976, the home was featured on the Findlay Historic Homes Tour. William and Barbara Schwind bought the home on August 27, 1976. they then sold the home to Don and Elizabeth Sailors on December 12, 1978. Dr. David and Betsy Goodman bought the home on August 1, 1983 and sold to current owners, Christopher and Mary Beth Hammond on January 5, 1994.

The lot that the Amy Glines Marvin House stands on was originally deeded to Amy Marvin from the Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church for $500. Amy built a smaller house on this lot than what is there now. Under new ownership, the home had major renovations done, including expansion. 

Amy Glines Marvin House

Russell Lowell Heminger was born on September 13, 1891 to Isaac Newton and Elizabeth (Burrell) Heminger. His family moved to Bluffton when he was only a few months old, where his father purchased a weekly newspaper called Bluffton News. The family eventually moved back to Findlay, where R. Lowell's father resumed working for the Morning Republican. In 1914, R. Lowell became a member of the Morning Republican staff. After serving in World War I, he returned to Findlay and became the associate editor at the Morning Republican. On June 10, 1918, Heminger married Golda McClelland. They had two sons, Harold H. and Edwin Lloyd Heminger. With the merger of the Morning Republican and the evening Findlay Daily Courier, the newspaper became The Republican-Courier in 1933. R. Lowell became the president and general manager of the newspaper's owners the Findlay Publishing Company in 1914. Upon the passing of his father, he also served as the newspaper's editor. Under his leadership, the company expanded into radio broadcasting in 1949 when the radio station WFIN was purchased. In 1957, the the Columbus, Indiana station WCSI was also bought by the company. In 1962, R. Lowell decided to step back from some of his duties after a heart attack, instead focusing on writing for the paper. He started the weekly column "Historical Highlights". He had such a love for his community that he wrote two books, "Profiles of Community Development and Progress" and "Across the Years in Findlay and Hancock County". Golda also had a strong affinity for the community. She was very involved with the Camp Fire Girls. She, along with her sister Glenn Donnell, were chosen by the women' division of the Findlay Area Chamber of Commerce for Findlay's Women of the Year in 1952. On March 15, 1974, R. Lowell passed away. Golda succeeded him as chairman of the board of The Findlay Publishing Company. Golda passed on March 10, 1980. Harold and Ed Heminger sold the house to Dr. William J. and Becky Kibbey on February 12, 1981. The Kibbeys then sold the home to Fred and Deborah Adams on July 24, 1992 for $225,000. The Adams sold to Karl L. and Anne M. Heminger on September 19, 2002. Karl is the grandson of R. Lowell and served as publisher of The Courier. Current owners, Kerry and Abby Trombley, purchased the home from Karl Heminger in 2016. ********Ed Heminger, R. Lowell's son, created his own small newspaper at ten years old. He sold to 125 subscribers for two cents per copy. He ran all aspects, from reporting to printing. He had a metal printing press in the basement of his home. He produced this paper for four years, and he eventually became the publisher of the Republican Courier in 1965. Ed said that he made $400 from this endeavor. In 1952, Ed joined the Courier as assistant business manager and secretary of the Board fo Directors fo Findlay Publishing Company. He was elected vice-president in 1959 and named vice chairman of the board in 1977. IN 1983, he was elected president of the Findlay Publishing Company and chairman of the board in 1989.

This home was built by R. Lowell Heminger in 1928 in the style of Colonial Revival. Heminger was a major figure in Findlay, having been a part of local newspapers for most of his life. He, along with his wife Golda, were very active in the community and have certainly left their mark on Findlay.

R.Lowell Heminger House

Arthur D. Patterson was born on November 16, 1888 to Charles W. and Jessie (Dunn) Patterson. Arthur's grandfather, Joseph S. Patterson joined forces with Frederick Henderson to open a store on South Main Street. After the passing of Joseph and the return of Arthur from World War I, the store became known as C.W. Patterson &amp; Son. Eventually the store was known as Pattersons' Store. Charles passed away in 1946 and was one of Findlay's oldest business leaders. Arthur assumed control of the business at this point. Arthur married Frances Sherlock in 1927. They had one son named William Taylor Patterson. After Frances and Arthur passing, William sold the house to Bobby J. and Mildred Roberts on December 23, 1962. Bobby was a local podiatrist. When the house was purchased, they noticed that every time it rained, the whitewash paint over the brick would run down the windows. The Roberts attempted to repaint the brick twice, but each time the paint simply soaked into the brick. in 1976, they sandblasted off the paint and found the brick underneath was beautiful. The Roberts sold the home to Jay R. and Michelle A. Sweede on October 7, 1998. The Sweedes then sold the home to dermatologist Dr. Michael L. and Jenne M Cairns on May 27, 2005. The home changed hands several more times, before it was purchased by current owners, Andrea Clinger and Jeffrey Roth in 2019.

Built by Arthur D. Patterson in 1929, this French Eclectic style was used to resemble French farmhouses he saw while serving in the European Theater during World War I. The facade has undergone some updates, but for the most part remains unchanged. The Patterson family was a major part of Findlay for decades.

Arthur D. Patterson House

John H. Decker was born on August 9, 1848 to John and Sarah Decker. He married Anna McManness on January 27, 1876 in Findlay. Anna was born in 1855 to John and Hane (Stubbs) McManness. Together John Decker and Anna has three children: Lemuel, Todd, and Ina (Apger). John was a prolific businessman, who dealt in many trades including pharmaceuticals with Samuel and Jacob M. Huber. He also was involved with the Indiana, Bloomington, and Western Railway. In the Argyle Block, John was involved with the Becker and Critten Hardware store. He served as deputy sheriff under Lemuel McMannes, who was his brother-in-law. Amongst his many other enterprises, John was interested in exploring the gas and oil industry that Findlay is famous for. John, along with Ulysses Stringfellow and eight other people from the community entered into an agreement to prospect for petroleum, natural gas, and other minerals. The company incorporated with a capital of $5,000. Once his health start failing, John and Anna moved to Carson, Virginia and purchased a farm. John passed away on December 19, 1915 and Anna passed in July 1924. On September 9, 1911, the home was sold to Charles and Cora Edwards. Charles was born to William and Katherine (Hoch) Edwards. He married Cora Grafton, who was the daughter of William B. and Eliza Jane (Phigree) Grafton. The Graftons moved to Findlay during the gas and oil boom. Charles and Cora had two children named William K. and Josephine Edwards. Charles was part of the retail shoe business until he was employed by The National Lime and Stone Company in the sales department. Charles passed in July 29, 1943 and Cora passed in January 18,1955. Thomas J. and Jean Trout purchased the home in 1954 for $19,000. Thomas was born to George W. and Ruth (Schwartz) Trout. He took over the family business Trout Furniture Company at 508 South Main Street when his father retired. Tom married Jean Schlosser and they had three children: Thomas, Duncan, and Peter. There was a barn on the property, and it burned down while the Trouts owned the property. They moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 1973. Tom passed away on May 28, 1992 and Jean passed on January 13, 2003. Allen Urban bought the home on August 1, 1973. He then sold it to Lewis and Sally Reynolds on August 18, 1974. They sold the home to James and Barbara Pelowski on August 18, 1980. Under their ownership, the home was featured on the 1984 Findlay Historic Homes Tour. Samuel and Sue Elle Magruder purchased the home on July 29, 1986, who then sold to Lewis and Linda Jones. On November 18, 1992 Jeffrey and Laurie Collins bought the home. They remodeled the kitchen and removed a large cistern from the third floor. Current owners, Jeff Gertz and his wife Melissa, purchased the home on October 22, 2002. They hosted the 2003 Victorian Christmas Dinner and were featured on the 2006 Findlay Historic Homes Tour.

In 1888, John Decker built this home on two lots. It is in the Second Empire style, marked by a mansard roof with fish scale shaped slates. The original roof had an iron cresting. Brick corbeling was used as decoration around the roof and used as trim on either side of the lintels at the top of each window. The home also had intricate tinwork, which served as both a unique touch and advertisement for Decker's business, The Ohio Tin and Copper Company. Shown on an early map, there was also a summer kitchen present on the property. This was moved to 1309 Douglass Parkway by 1902. 

2020 Historic Homes Tour

William E. Dorsey House

Introduction

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Backstory and Context

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