The Green Bag

from the Courier (Sheri's note - article written about 1950)

MEN AT WORK

Editor's Note: When it comes to work for the good of the community, today's "Man at Work," the 16th in our series, is certainly doing his share of it. This ex-teacher has been instrumental in the selection on the new high school site, witnessed the growth of Orr Park and helped in its early expansion program, and aided in the organization of the village's recreation board. He is one of those individuals who'd be the last to talk about himself - and he has so much to say.

Harrold took out a few minutes from his busy life. He actually sat down in his office at the Will-Burt Company, where he is in charge of production and personnel, and reflected a bit on the things he has done during his first 40 years. And as he took stock, he probably said to himself, "Gee, did I do all this?"

For Harrold Johnson, that hardworking conscientious Orrville citizen, is just too busy for self-praise. Currently there is the Recreation League to worry about. With 13 teams entered in city-wide competition, the organization of play-offs, the keeping of records and the general supervision - all have to be taken care of.

But those are only some of his extra-curricular activities. During the day he can be found in almost any department of the busy Will-Burt shop, supervising the production of that handy cultivator, "The Little Farmer, " or checking on the many other things that fall under his care.

Or if you seek him on the first Monday of any month - from 8 o'clock to possibly way after midnight - try the offices of the Board of Education at the high school. Five will get you ten Harrold will be there with his shirt-sleeves rolled up , tackling some tough problem that will influence the scholastic future of the children of this community.

Some Background

Mr. Johnson was born in Wooster but moved to Dalton in 1919, where he lived most of his early life. He graduated from Dalton High School and, in 1931, entered Bluffton College to graduate in 1935 with a degree in biological science.

Just prior to entering college, from 1928 to 1931, Mr. Johnson worked in a steel mill.

After graduation, in 1935 - 36, he taught biology and coached sports at the Dalton High School. He came to Orrville in the Fall of 1936, where he taught general science and art until the Fall of 1941, when he resigned his teaching position.

For the next three years, then, until May 6, 1944, Harrold was storekeeper for the Orrville Municipal Utilities. Shortly after that date he started working at his present capacity.

Managed Orr Park

It did not take long for Harrold to get into the swing of things after coming to Orrville.

In the Summer of 1938 he was appointed manager of the Orr Park and worked part-time on this job for eight years. During that time he saw the park getting a face-lifting job until it finally accumulated some of the facilities which Orrvillites now enjoy.

The new softball field was born out of a hay-field during the first year of his managership. Then there was the construction of the tennis court, the skating pond and house, two new shelter houses, the acquiring of property east and north. The thorn patch, where the baseball field is now, was also cleared out.

In 1945 he reluctantly heeded the wishes of his friends and ran for the office of mayor of Orrville in an off-year election.

"It was a lot of fun," Harrold said, "I had told them at the start I could not win."

He mentioned one incident in his campaign, during which he just sat back and let everybody else do the worrying, in which his opponent, William Ferguson, running for his second term, actually aided his efforts.

During some doings at Orr Park, Harrold slipped a hand full of campaign matches into Mr. Ferguson's pocket. During the entire evening, Bill gave out matches to his friends, not knowing they were Harrold's publicity.

It was a big laugh for our jovial friend.

During his years in Orrville he once headed the local Community Chest and last year he was elected to the Board of Education.

His Hobby - Sports

Mr. Johnson has gained much prominence also in local sports circles as well as throughout the state. At the time he taught at the high school he was assistant to Coach Harry Strobel and their combined efforts resulted in two undefeated football teams.

In 1946 he became a charter member of the recreation board and subsequently its first president. He recently resigned from his five-year term, but still works for the board, handling all their slow-pitching softball activities.

This past year completed the 14th year of basketball and football refereeing. A member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association and a member of the Eastern Ohio District Board of Nationally Approved Basketball Officials as well as president of the Wayne County chapter, Harrold last year passed his 1,000th game mark in basketball. By the end of the season he had reached an impressive total of 1,015 games. His football is "only" a little over 100 games.

He is a past president of the Exchange Club, a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Methodist Church.

Harrold and his father, O. H. Johnson, also operate the Orrville Lumber Company.

Conference Leader

With the recent innovation of the Orrville-Wayne Industrial Council, a series of Foremanship Management Conferences were started. These are held in the high school and meet twice every week until the end of May. Of these, Mr. Johnson is the leader.

Harrold has also taken a deep interest in profit sharing as a policy for American business. In this endeavor he was allied and a good friend of the late H. C. Nicholas, who was president of the Council of Profit Sharing Industries for several years. Harrold spoke at last year's New York meeting of the group.

His Family

In 1936 he married the former Ethel Lehman of Kidron. Residing at 1217 West Market Street, the couple has four children, Luanne, 12; Vicki, 8; Molly, 6; and Jennifer,3.

Thus, in brief, is the story of a citizen of this community whose efforts and service have helped to make Orrville the "Promised Land."