HAROLD Z. HAKES, a popular and efficient member of the official corps of Seneca County in the City of Tiffin, in giving a most effective administration as county surveyor. He was born in London Township, this county, on the 7th of November, 1890, and is a son of Nathan and Susan (Hurbert) Hakes, the former a native of Delaware County, this state, and the latter of Seneca County. The parents were reared on the respective home farms, and both received the advantages of the public schools. After their marriage they established their residence on a farm in Loudon Township, Seneca County, where the father still continues a progressive representative of agricultural and livestock industry, the mother being now deceased. Nathan Hakes is a republican in political allegiance, and is a communicant of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Fostoria, as was also his wife. Eight children survive the devoted mother.

While he early began to receive practical experience in connection with the activities of the home farm, Harold Z. Hakes gained his basic education through the medium of the district schools. In 1917 he was graduated from the Ohio Northern University, at Ada, with the degree of Civil Engineer, and there also he became a member of the Alpha Eta chapter of the Delta Sigma Phi college fraternity. Within a short time after his graduation Mr. Hakes was appointed deputy surveyor of his native county, and after he had given about one year of effective service in this capacity he subordinated all other interests to respond to the call of patriotism when the nation became formally involved in the World war. In his first attempt to enlist he was rejected, but on the 25th of May, 1918, he was accepted for military service and was sent to Camp Taylor, whence he was later transferred to Camp Sherman. He continued in service until the armistice brought the war to a close, and he received his honorable discharge on the 24th of December, 1918. Thereafter he was in active service as deputy surveyor of Hancock County about two years, and in the autumn of 1920 he was elected county surveyor of Seneca County, his reelection in 1922 testifying to the high estimate placed upon his administration.

Mr. Hakes is unfaltering in his allegiance to the republican party, and he and his wife are active communicants of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Tiffin. At Fostoria he is a member of Emil Fous Post of the American Legion and of the following named Masonic bodies: Fostoria Lodge No. 288, Free and Accepted Masons; Garfield Chapter No. 50, Royal Arch Masons; Fostoria Council No. 90, Royal and Select Masters; and Fostoria Commandery No. 62, Knights Templar. He is a member also of Fostoria Lodge No. 935, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he is affiliated also with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Junior Order United American Mechanics.

On the 3rd of February, 1923, was solemnized the marriage of Mr.Hakes and Miss Ethel M. Herrick, who is a graduate of the high school at Findlay and also of Findlay College. She was official stenographer of the Common Pleas Court of Hancock County for twelve years prior to her marriage.


File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Gina Reasoner
GReasoner@prodigy.net
December 23, 1999

History of Ohio
The American Historical Society, Inc., 1925
Volume IV, page 373