RALPH HATHAWAY. Among the educators of Seneca County who by instruction,
precept and example have contributed to the advancement of this community,
Ralph Hathaway, superintendent of schools at Bloomville is worthy of
mention. Since entering upon his independent career he has devoted himself
to educational work, and there are few more efficient or popular
instructors in this part of the state.
Mr. Hathaway, was born on a farm in Reed Township, Seneca County, and is a
son of Henry and Arvilla (Dwire) Hathaway. Henry Hathaway was born in 1828,
the first white male child to be born in Scipio Township, Seneca County,
while Mrs. Hathaway was born in Reed Township, in 1845. Mrs. Hathaway was a
woman of excellent intellectual attainments and advanced education, having
attended the district schools and Republic Academy, form the latter of
which she received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. her husband had attended
the same academy. Following their marriage they settled on a farm in Reed
Township, and there they continued to make their home. Mr. Hathaway at the
time of his death was the oldest living Mason in Attica Lodge in point of
years and membership. A republican in politics, he held several township
offices, and always proved him self honorable and conscientious in the
discharge of his duties. He and Mrs. Hathaway had three children: Ralph, of
this notice; a sister who died at the age of ten years; and a brother who
died when forty-four years of age. The last named was a graduate of Green
Spring Academy and a teacher, and afterward a farmer. A prominent
republican in politics, he served for some years as a member of the County
Board of Education, and was president therof at the time of his death.
Ralph Hathaway was reared on the home farm and was given good educational
advantages, attending first the local schools, them Miami University and
LIma College. He received his degree of Bachelor of Philosophy from
Heidelberg University and the degree of Master of Arts from Ohio State
University. Upon the completion of his education Mr. Hathaway took up
teaching, and for a time was an instructor at Heidelberg Academy and did
normal work for two years. After school work at various points, in 1914 he
was made superintendent of schools at Bloomville, which position he now
occupies, and in which he has done much to aid the cause of education and
to better the standards and system in this locality. Mr. Hathaway is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and teacher of the Men's Methodist
Episcopal Church and teacher of the Men's Bible Class. He belongs to the
Knights of Pythias; to Eden Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; and to the
Order of the Eastern Star, of which he is a past worthy patron and Mrs.
Hathaway, past worthy matron. In politics he is a republican.
Mr. Hathaway married Miss Winifred Kentfield, of Carey, Wyandotte County,
Ohio, and to this union there have been born three children: Bernice,
Dwight and Marjorie.
File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by
Gina Reasoner
GReasoner@prodigy.net
December 21, 1999
History of Ohio
The American Historical Society, Inc., 1925
Volume V, page 85