- John C. Larwill: This man was one of Wooster’s earliest settlers, along with his brothers William and Joseph. In 1820 he became Wooster’s first Justice of the Peace. (“Biography of John Larwill” by Ben Douglas for the Wooster Republican) - William Larwill: This man is one of the Larwill brothers debated to be Wooster’s first permanent resident. In any case, he was one of the main surveyors for the area and helped organize the town. (“Vast Estate of Larwill Family Fast Being Settled by Executors,” Wayne County Democrat, 2/3/1904)
Jacob Frick: The Frick family did much to help Wooster in the late 19th century. Jacob Frick, a longtime resident of Wooster, built the War monument currently in the Wooster Town Square. His nephew, the famous industrialist and art collector, Henry Clay Frick, donated $100,000 to the University of Wooster to build a library in 1900.
Charles Frost: This man served as the first Mayor of Wooster, starting when it was incorporated as a City in 1808.
Col. John B. Sloane: This man held many important roles in the local, state, and federal government levels. Throughout his life, he served as an Ohio State Representative, a Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Wayne County, the Secretary of State of Ohio, a member of the US Congress. The pinnacle of his political career, however, came in 1850 when he was appointed Treasurer of the United States by President Millard Fillmore. His house has been well preserved and still stands North Market Street; a testament to a politician who always had Wooster’s best interests at heart. (Appleton 550, Douglas 320)
Ephraim Quinby, Jr: This man contributed greatly to the Wooster Community in the late 19th century. Not only was he an important businessman who collected profitable pieces of real estate, he also donated large sums to many different charitable organizations, including the Wooster Cemetery Association and the University of Wooster.
Section 4, Lot 953: Leander Firestone, MD
Leander Firestone, MD: This local Wooster doctor also served as one of the University of Wooster’s first professors and the first local professor. He began as a lecturer in anatomy and physiology, but was later promoted to a full time staff member in 1873. (The University of Wooster by Rev. A.A.E. Taylor, D.D., President)
Section 4, Lot 985: Richard L. Morrison, Sr
Richard L. Morrison, Sr: One of Wooster’s first african american residents, Morrison made a name for himself in the community as a respected barber at the Morrison Barber Shop and as a leader at second Baptist Church. (“Dick Morrison, Color Man Who Has Made Good, Arrived in Wooster Just Forty Years Ago Today,” The Daily Record, 4/9/1920; William Parker, “Woosterian Barbers Five Generations in Fifty Years,” The Daily Record, 5/2/1962)
- Reasin Beall: This prominent Wooster businessman served for many years as a member of the US Congress, and later as the Register of the Land Office for the Wooster Land District. Today, he is probably most well known for the street that bears his name and his large yellow house, which used to be part of his large farm and is currently preserved at the Wayne County Historical Society. (Obituary Notice of Gen. Reasin Beall Wooster Democrat 3/9/1834, “Beall Settlers in Wooster” by Paul Locher, the Daily Record, 6/11/2006)
This portrait of Annie B. Irish was probably done soon after she accepted the position of Professor of German Literature and Language at the University of Wooster.
Courtesy of College of Wooster Special Collections
"Folder_Irish Anne" Irish_Anne_Portrait2.tiff
Seal Commemorating the 100th Year of Dix Journalism in Wooster
Circular seal placed at the top of the folio of the June 28, 1998 issue of the Daily Record that commemorates the 100th year after Albert and Emmett Dix bought the Wooster Republican and entered the Wooster newspaper scene.
Wayne County Public Library Genealogy and History Department
Rights held by the Daily Record. Fair use.
Listing of Local Wooster Doctors and Lawyers from The Wayne County Democrat 1850
Wooster’s lawyers and doctors would take out advertisements in the local papers such as the Wayne County Democrat to announce their services and location to hopefully attract more business.
Wayne County Public Library Genealogy and Local History Department
Courtesy of Wayne County Public Library Genealogy and Local History Department
Notice of Sale of Law Books in The Wayne County Democrat 1850
Many members of the public, including businesses, used the newspaper as a way of selling their goods from law books and dictionaries to livestock and farm equipment.
Courtesy of Wayne County Democrat
Poem in The Wayne County Democrat 1850
Although newspapers allowed Wooster’s citizens to remain informed about legal, local, national, and agricultural news, they also provided much needed entertainment through the inclusion of poems or excerpts from literature.
Rights held by Wayne County Public Library Genealogy and Local History Department
Editorial Introducing the Daily Record in First Issue
The first section of an editorial about the merge of the Wooster Republican and the Wooster Daily News. Appeared on the front page of the first issue of the Wooster Daily Record.
Photograph of Albert Dix, owner of the Wooster Republican and later the Wooster Daily Record. Appeared in the Wooster Daily Record September 8, 1953 in a spread featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the newspaper.
Photograph of Albert Dix, owner of the Wooster Republican and later the Wooster Daily Record, looking up from a copy of the paper. Appeared in the Wooster Daily Record September 8, 1953 in a spread featuring a behind-the-scenes look at the newspaper.
A Wooster Republican article (top) and a Wayne County Democrat article (bottom) reporting about Frederick Douglass' speech at Wooster's Arcadome in 1872.
The Wooster Republican and the Wayne County Democrat
Stanley Gault and other Rubbermaid executives pose with a poster depicting sales growth and emblazoned with the words, "The Billion Dollar Team 1987," appeared in the Daily Record on February 4, 1988
"Wooster Rubber Incorporated" Announcement in the Daily Record
1920 Daily Record announcement of Wooster Rubber Company's incorporation
DR_1920.05.01_ Wooster Rubber Incorporated
Herman and Harold Freedlander, managers of Freedlander's 1961
Herman Freedlander and his son, Harold, both ran the store before it was sold to investors in the late 80s.
Tearing Down the Freedlander's Storefront in The Daily Record 2010
Wooster’s local newspaper, The Daily Record, documented the tearing down of the Freedlander storefront that had been a part of the town for more than 125 years.
The Larwill brothers, John Bever, and William Henry laid out the town center and main streets of Wooster in 1808.
William Henry Obituary from the Wooster Republican 1862
William Henry’s obituary in the Wooster Republican listed his numerous positions including judge, businessman, and member of the Christian community.
"The Daily Record: 120th Annual Wayne County Fair Days"
A week or so before the Wayne County Fair, The Daily Record releases a special issue that gives a schedule of the events to occur at the fair and other related stories. It serves as a crucial guide to fair activities to local attendees.
Courtesy of the Wayne County Historical Society
The Daily Record Article "Freedlander is Honored By College" 1960
The article describes President Lowry’s remarks during a university chapel service for Herman. Lowry reflected on his personal relationship with Herman and gave him a plaque to celebrate his 80th birthday.
Captain Redick's Distinguished Service Cross Citation
Certificate acknowledging that Captain Fred Redick was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroic actions at Montfaucon, dated March 5, 1919.
Distinguished Service Cross Citation_WCHS
The Man Behind the Plow Is the Man Behind the Gun
U.S. Department of Agriculture propaganda, declaring "The man behind the plow is the man behind the gun!" appeared in the Wooster Daily Republican on October 31, 1918.
The United States Department of Agriculture
WDR_1918.10.31_The Man Behind the Plow_Dept of Ag Ad
Article in The University Voice, "Together Asleep: Death of Miss Mary Irish- Memorial Services in Chapel" 1886
The article discusses President Scovel’s address at the university chapel for Mary Irish, who was a student at the University before she became ill. The tight bond between the sisters was remarked upon and Annie B. Irish took care of Mary until her death.
Springville Mill Advertisement in The Wayne County Democrat 1888
This advertisement for a local mill showcases the common services that mills such as the Stibbs Mill in Wooster would have offered, such as providing families with flour to make bread.
Promotional advertisement for the Red Cross with the headline "Can You Sleep Tonight?" appeared in the Wooster Daily Republican in June 1917.
WDR_1917.06.23_Red Cross Can You Sleep Tonight Ad