Willard W. Schaller papers

Collection

Identifier: MS-0813

Staff Only

Collection Overview

Abstract

The Willard W. Schaller Papers consist of correspondence, meeting minutes, publications, clippings, drawings, and photos collected by William W. Schaller, primarily dealing with his farm drainage business, Advanced Drainage Systems Company.

Dates

Creation: 1901-1918
Creation: 1947-2003

Extent

1.84 Cubic Feet (4 legal size manuscript boxes)

Creator

Schaller, Willard W (Person)

Scope and Contents

This collection contains documents related to the development and activity of farm drainage systems. It includes papers regarding the Advanced Drainage Systems Company, including its charter and board meeting minutes. The bulk of this collection is correspondence concerning various types of draining tiles, tubing - such as clay, plastic, aluminum, or fiberglass – and various drainage techniques.

Papers for the Land Improvement Contractor’s Association are also in this collection. There are board meeting minutes, directories, convention programs, various correspondences, and other miscellaneous documents. Other State affiliations (in addition to Ohio) for the LICA are included in this collection, specifically for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, and Tennessee.

Additional elements of this collection are photographs, newspaper clippings, and magazines about drainage. Also included, and of note, is Harry Schaller’s ditch journal and account ledger, dated from 1901-1911.

Information about Mr. Schaller and his family’s involvement with the Anthony Wayne Schools is included in the collection along with documentation about his wife, Helen Thomas Schaller. Researchers interested in the social activities of Mrs. Schaller may also wish to consult MMS-2026, a scrapbook presented to her from the Columbus Grove, Ohio Eastern Star Chapter in the late 1930’s.

Biographical / Historical

Willard W. Schaller was born on December 25th, 1912 in Monclova Township, where he lived for most of his life. He graduated from Monclova High school in 1930, then attended Bowling Green State University and graduated in 1934 with a major in physical education. He was active in sports on campus, lettering in track and football. During his senior year as captain of the football team, Schaller helped organize the Varsity BG Club, which is an association for former BGSU athletes. After graduation he taught and coached in Columbus Grove and Lyons, Ohio. In 1937 he married Helen Thomas.

During WWII he served in the Navy, in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. In 1946 he was discharged as a lieutenant and returned home to Ohio. He then went into the farm drainage business, following in the footsteps of his father.

He made his fortune working in the farm drainage business for 25 years. He made several innovations in the business, most significantly using an auger to close drainage ditches. He also served as President of the Ohio and National Land Improvement Contractors of America. Still active after retirement, he sold aluminum pipes for several years and fixed machinery as a hobby.

Schaller was also involved in the consolidation of the school boards of Watervillle, Whitehouse, and Monclova Township. The schools came together as one district in 1950. The consolidation was no easy task, as the board members faced some public opposition. Things eventually came together and in 1953 the district was renamed Anthony Wayne Local School District. Schaller was on the first board and later would serve as its president. He also donated to the school. He and his siblings donated $10,000 in 1957 to help the school district repay a debt for its high school stadium, and it is thus named Schaller Memorial Stadium, in honor of his parents. In 1999, the Anthony Wayne Alumni Association named him an honorary member due to his contributions and dedication to the district.

He was active in clubs throughout his life, serving as past commander of the former Monclova American Legion Post and a member of the Masonic Lodge in Columbus Grove, the BGSU Falcon Club, and the First Presbyterian Church of Maumee. He died of lung cancer on February 22nd, 2002.

Conditions Governing Access

No known access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers using this collection assume full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright, and are responsible for securing permissions necessary for publication or reproduction.

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The first donation was made by Willard W. Schaller himself in 2001, a year before he died. The second and subsequent gifts were made by his daughter, Kay Sergent, beginning in 2012.