Medina County OhArchives Biographies.....Fretter, Albert Henry September 27, 1879 - May 2, 1962 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ohfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: David Holcomb david@holcombs.net November 9, 2006, 12:54 pm Author: "The History of North Central Ohio", William A. Duff, Historical Publishing Co., 1931 Albert H. Fretter One of the leading citizens of Medina is Albert H. Fretter, who is superintendent of the city water works. He is a native of Medina County, born in York Township, Sept. 27, 1879, the son of Joseph H. and Hannah (Glace) Fretter. Joseph H. Fretter, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil War. He was born in Medina County in 1843. Throughout most of his life Mr. Fretter engaged in the painting and contracting business and was well known as an interior decorator. He served throughout the Civil War as a member of Company K, 103rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was severely wounded in action. He was married in 1866 to Miss Hannah Glace, of Medina County. To them were born six children, as follows: Charles S., lives in Medina; Mary, married Frank Brant, who is state grain inspector for the State of Minnesota, lives at Minneapolis; Lillie, married George Burkett, lives in Medina County; Nellie, died at the age of 11 years; Luther, who died in 1916 at the age of 24 years; and Albert H., the subject of this sketch. Albert H. Fretter attended the public schools of Medina, and was graduated from Medina High School in 1899. He spent one year in the employ of the Bartlett Electrical Company, of Cleveland, and six months with the North Electrical Company, manufacturers of telephone instruments and apparatus. Upon his return to Medina in 1901 Mr. Fretter spent 16 years with the A. I. Root Company. He became a licensed engineer, and was also identified with the company's printing plant. Mr. Root was an official of the Anti-Saloon League and was instrumental in sending Mr. Fretter to Westerville, where he spent one year in charge of the pressroom of the publishing department of the Anti- Saloon League. He has been connected with the city administration of Medina as superintendent of the water works since 1919 and has proven a most capable official. During the Spanish-American War Mr. Fretter served as a member of Company G, Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was present at the battle of San Juan Hill. In 1902 Mr. Fretter was united in marriage with Miss Emma Bowman, the daughter of John and Wilhelmina Bowman, of Abbeyville, Ohio, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Fretter have a daughter, Mabel, who is the wife of Harold M. White, of New Kensington, Pa. He is a pathologist and is connected with a New Kensington hospital. Politically, Mr. Fretter is independent. His wife holds membership in the German Lutheran Church, and he belongs to Medina Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 58; Medina Chapter, B. A. M., No. 80; Wooster Council No. 13; Kiwanis Club; Medina Gun & Rifle Club; and Medina County Fish & Game Club. He is numbered among the county's leading fishermen and spends his vacations following his favorite sport in Canada. He is also extensively interested in photography. Mr. Fretter has been identified with the Medina County Community Fire Department, which was organized by him and W. F. Wise in 1926. This outfit serves not only Medina but surrounding territory in the county. Mr. Fretter also was chief engineer of the Municipal Fire Department for a period of 12 years. He has been identified with the Medina Municipal Band for 31 years as drum major. Additional Comments: Left the Water Works in 1946 Chronicle Telegram, The (Elyria, Ohio) , May 25, 1938 Albert Fretter read the Gettysburg address for Memorial Day celebrations Key to the Band Picture Medina's new Knights of Pythias Band in 1901. Members were 1) Roy E Kimmel; 2) Charles H. Manville; 3) Desemus M. Sanford; 4) Walter Thorndike; 5) Ernest Edwards; 6) William J. Wall; 7) Bion Hawkins; 8) an unnamed cornet player; 9) John F. Iper; 10) Charles H. Iper; 11) George A. West; 12) Albert H. Fretter; 13) Nelson R. Waltz; 14) Paul Dillman; 15) Charles E. Sacket; 16) Sherwood A. Bean; 17) Owen E. Crofoot; 18) Ned Hawkins; 19) Claude A. Kindig; 20) Edward Welling. Courtesy of the Medina County Historical Society. Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/medina/photos/bios/fretter371bs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/oh/medina/bios/fretter371bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/ohfiles/ File size: 4.7 Kb