Hancock-Columbiana County OhArchives Biographies.....Glessner, Lewis 1845 - 1879
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Ann Anderson ann.g.anderson@gmail.com August 19, 2005, 12:55 am

Author: Warner & Beers (1886)

   LEWIS GLESSNER (deceased) was born in Somerset County, Penn., September 1,
1811, and when six years of age removed to Columbiana County, Ohio, with his
parents, who settled in the woods, where he remained at farm work (meantime
learning a trade at New Lisbon) until 1833, when he located at Delaware, Ohio.
In 1861 he came to Findlay, Ohio, and purchased the Hancock Courier, which, in
company with his son, W. L. Glessner, he published till 1865. He then began
publishing the Newark, Ohio, Advocate, which was continued by him for a year and
a half, after which he returned to Findlay and again assumed control of the
Hancock Courier, to which, from that time, he devoted his undivided energies.
Thus for nearly eighteen years he was identified with the business interests of
this section, as well as being the molder and expounder of the principles of the
political party of his convictions and choice. He did not make the Hancock
Courier "a stepping-stone to something else." He never sought nor claimed any
other reward for his labor in behalf of his party, or in advocating the general
good, than the approval of his own conscience and the knowledge that his efforts
were appreciated. While at any time the people would gladly have called him to
the councils of the State and Nation, they knew his ambition was to serve in the
sphere he had chosen. Barely do we find such singleness of purpose as displayed
by him. Acting from the highest motives the editor of the Hancock Courier was
thus able to take a fearless, independent position, that gave his utterances
weight in the councils of his party, and won for him the respect of those whose
principles he opposed. Not a great while before his death, which occurred March
13, 1879, he constructed a handsome brick building, the "Courier Block," and at
the dedication of the building a large gathering of friends of the paper and
personal friends of Mr. Glessner took place, and congratulatory addresses were
made, which gave evidence of the high esteem in which the publisher was held. In
Mr. Glessner's reply to these addresses, he said, among other things: "In
purchasing the Courier and locating here, I did so with the purpose of becoming
identified with the interests, improvements, growth and prosperity of Findlay
and Hancock County, and if the course pursued by the Courier has been such as to
foster and encourage a spirit of substantial public improvement of streets,
sewerage, public and private buildings, or otherwise improving and beautifying
our thriving town, to the greater health and comfort of its people; if, by
precept or example it has induced the planting of one more shade tree, or
ornamental shrub, or bed of flowers, to cheer some weary mortal on life's
journey, than would otherwise have been planted, its aim, as a local paper, has
been partially accomplished and the labors of its editors have not been
altogether in vain." Lewis Glessner was married, April 8, 1838, in Delaware,
Ohio, to Georgiana Cowles, by whom he was blessed with a large family. A writer
says, relative to Mr. Glessner's death, "he was well thought of and respected
abroad, as well as in Hancock County, where he had hosts of friends. A life of
integrity and purity, such as he lived, is an unspeakable blessing. It is
something to live such a life, it is much for a community to lose it." Mr.
Glessner was a kind husband, and was blessed in having a wife ready to
sympathize with him in all his trials, and rejoice with him in all his successes.



Additional Comments:
Book Title: History Of Hancock County
Findlay Township and Village




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