Martins Ferry
Hall of Honor
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| 2008 Inductees |
ROBERT E. FORSYTHE: Born in Martins Ferry in 1924; 1969 alumnus of the year, Ohio University, 1970, merit award; architect (Pro Football Hall of Fame, MF Public Library, Naples Center for the Arts and much more)
LOUIS GROZA: Born in Martins Ferry in 1924; member 1941 state basketball champs and 1941 state football co-champs, signed with Browns, 8 championship teams, 9 years all pro; “The Toe;” 1974 elected to Football Hall of Fame
WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS: Born in Martins Ferry in 1837; Dean of American Letters; author, editor (Atlantic Monthly), social critic, ambassador; on Bicentennial Plaque in Martins Ferry
JOHN LASLO: Born in 1912; city council for 12 years; mayor from 1959-1983; instituted Model Cities program; 1952, founded Colt league baseball; Ohio Baseball Hall of Fame
EBENEZER MARTIN: Born in Jefferson, Belmont County in 1791; father Absalom was first legal resident of Ohio Territory; operated ferry boat; established Martinsville, Martins Ferry in 1835; incorporated in 1865
HARRY NORTHWOOD: Born in England in 1860; glassworker, etcher; worked for various companies in Wheeling, Bridgeport, and Pennsylvania; opened own plant in Martins Ferry in 1887; started local glass industry known world wide; “Carnival Glass”
ROY RIETHMILLER: Born in Martins Ferry in 1920; artist, painter, educator; taught art for twenty-five years
CHARLES R. SHREVE: Born in Deerfield, Ohio in 1829; educator; first superintendent of Martins Ferry schools from 1859-1888; first graduation class (1869); education for African-Americans
ANNIE TANKS: Born in Punxsutawney in 1912; historian, authority on Martins Ferry history; wrote “A Town of Grandeur,” and “Annie Tanks;” educator, school librarian, sports fan
RICHARD H. WILSON: Born in West Virginia in 1874; bought a practice in Martins Ferry in 1898; horse and buggy doctor; industrial physician; started hospital in 1903, became public in 1908; 60 years of medical service
JAMES A. WRIGHT: Born in Martins Ferry in 1927; taught at the University of Minnesota and Hunter College (NY); books and volumes of poetry; 1972 Pulitzer Prize in Literature; on Bicentennial Plaque in Martins Ferry
ELIZABETH (BETTY) ZANE - Born in Virginia in 1765; family founded Wheeling; daughter Hannah married Ebenezer Martin; second husband Jacob Clarke; moved to Martins Ferry; 1782, heroine of siege of Fort Henry; statue in Walnut Grove Cemetery.
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| 2009 Inductees |
FREDRICK KARL BRUNEY - Graduated from Martins Ferry High School in 1949. Participated in football, basketball, baseball and track. Received All-Ohio Honors in 1948. Was a three-year regular for coach Woody Hayes at Ohio State University where he was OSU's most valuable player on all-big team in 1952. Ranks second in career interceptions for OSU. Played professional football for the Browns, Steelers, Forty-Niners, Rams and Patriots. Coached professionally for the Eagles, Falcons, Giants, Buccaneers and Colts. Participated in the 1981 Super Bowl. Has longest continued tenure in the NFL. Family includes wife Louise and children: Chuck, Susan, Lori, Becky and Richie.
RUTH BRANDT MAGUIRE - Born in 1900 in West Moreland, Pennsylvania. Graduated from Johnston High School and Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital. Came to Martins Ferry in 1923. Served as a nurse, floor supervisor, Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of Nursing at the Martins Ferry Hospital, holding the latter position for 45 years. Reorganized the School of Nursing in 1925, which was named for her in 1952. Served in many professional, civic and women's organizations. Retired in 1970 and died in 1986.
ABSALOM MARTIN - Born in New Jersey in 1758. Attended Princeton University. Served as a Captain in the American Revolution. In 1785 & 1786 surveyed the Northwest Territory. Purchased land that is now Martins Ferry, moved there November of 1787, making him the first legal settler in the Ohio Territory. Married Catherine Zane of Wheeling. In 1789, was licensed to operate a ferryboat on the Ohio River. Served as a Justice of the Peace and lead the local militia. Died in 1802. Buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery.
DONALD R. MYERS - Born in 1942. Attended St. Mary's Grade School, graduated from St. John's Central High School. Attended Finley College. Was Director of Development for the Martins Ferry Model Cities Program and Director of Development for Belmont County. Instrumental in acquiring over $500 million in development and improvements, including The Ohio Valley Plaza, Fox Run Hospital, Belmont Correctional Institute, Ohio Coatings, Mayflower Systems and Fox Commercial Park. Member of many civic groups, including the Martins Ferry Rotary Club, boards and councils. Died in 2008. Survived by wife Linda and children Eric and Kelly.
MARGARET S. RIESBECK - Native of Monroe County. Widowed with five children. Opened the first corner grocery store in Woodsfield in 1926. Moved to Martins Ferry in 1928 and opened the first "Riesbeck's" on South Zane Highway in 1932, which was followed by others. In 1936, Riesbeck Food Markets was chartered as an Ohio Corporation. By the 1940's stores opened in Yorkville, Steubenville, Dillonvale, Shadyside, St. Clairsville, Barnesville, Flushing, Smithfield, Bellaire and Mt. Pleasant. Opened first supermarket in 1962. "Grandma" died in 1970, although the corporation continues to grow.
LEROY SEDGWICK - Born in 1844 to George and Hannah Sedgwick. His father was a physician and Baptist Minister in Martins Ferry. Enlisted in the Civil War. Married Sarah Maycox in 1866 and had nine children. Was a storekeeper in Martins Ferry and Sheriff of Belmont County. In March 1891, established the "Evening Times," which would become the "Times Leader." Died in 1942. The Sedgwick homestead was given to the City of Martins Ferry in 1967 for a museum.
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| 2010 Inductees |
REV. FR. CHARLES A. MULHERN - Born in New Jersey in 1861. Came to Martins Ferry in 1898 to serve the St. Mary's Parish. Purchased property for the Parish cemetery. Headed construction of St. Mary's School in 1924. Served as chaplain of the Knights of Columbus from 1901 - 1940. Charter member of the Martins Ferry Hospital Board of Trustees and President of that group for 35 years. Active in the Martins Ferry Fire Department and other civic groups and organizations. Died in 1941 after 43 years of service to the people of Martins Ferry.
WILLIAM AND ANGELA TOLBERT - Natives of Yorkville and graduates of Yorkville High School. Angela was a graduate of The Ohio State University and William served in the Marine Corp during World War II. William operated his first grocery store in Martins Ferry in 1946. The couple was married in 1947. Expanded the business by adding another grocery store and other stores selling toys, children's clothing and women's clothing. Involved in community organizations and activities. The family business continues after 62 years. Angela died in 1994. The family includes children Pamela, Susan, Victoria, Constance and William, Jr.
JOHN VROTSOS - Native of West Virginia. Graduated from Martins Ferry High School in 1946. Was a three-year letterman in football and basketball. Served in the U.S. Army before attending West Liberty State College. Served as Martins Ferry Recreation Department Director and Director of the Martins Ferry Community School Program. Teacher, counselor, administrator and coach for the Martins Ferry School District. Started the MFHS Wrestling program and won 7 OVAC championships. Member of the MFHS Hall of Fame, OVAC Hall of Fame, recipient of OVAC Mr. Mat Award. Died in 2008 and is survived by wife Jackie and children Susan, John and Keith.
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The Hall of Honor Committee recognizes and thanks Scott Everson and The Citizen Bank for being the sole sponsor of the Hall of Honor.
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The City of Martins Ferry is establishing a Hall of Honor to acknowledge those citizens whose actions or accomplishments have affected, aided, or brought fame to Martins Ferry. Those eligible for this honor must have been born, lived, or worked in the City of Martins Ferry.
HALL OF HONOR COMMITTEE
John Applegarth; Joseph Bencur; Les Douglas; Frank Fregiato; Warren Hood; Richard Hord; Rev. William Lawrence; Denny Lucas; Don Myers; Yvonne O. Myers; Betty Pokas; Barbara Shrodes; Keith Sommer; Lois Suriano; Tom Thomas; Phil Wallace
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