OUR OLD BOOK CASE

July 31, 2014 – Our Old Book Case =============================================================== Photo caption: Seated: Dr. J.T. Gibbons, M.D.; Dr. L. M. Otis, M.D., and Dr. R.J. Beare, M.D. Standing: Dr. M.A. Wiest, Veterinarian; LaDonna Hessian, Gibbons Hospital Laboratory
Director, and Walter O. Loy, Kettlersville Grain Co. October 4, 1939. OUR OLD BOOK CASE By Joyce L. Alig, President, Mercer County Historical Society
Three Medical Doctors in Celina saw a need for an Organization, and they planned and implemented a
solution to that need. This foresight is the very foundation of the work ethic of Mercer Countians. When
Mercer Countians are faced with a problem, they create a solution to that problem and then plan and
implement that solution. That is the foundation which is the heritage of Mercer County’s families. That
heritage is what has made Mercer County one of the most successful Counties in Ohio for job
opportunities.
Less than a century ago, Medical Doctors were concerned about referring their patients to milk companies
which bottled and sold milk to the public. Milk is known as a good source of nature’s food. As everyone
knows, milk needs to be fresh in order to qualify for use as good food for our families.
The Mercer County Medical Milk Commission originally was conceived by Dr. L. M. Otis, Dr. John T.
Gibbons, and Dr. Ralph J. Beare, all of Celina, Ohio, when they were concerned about the quality of
bottled milk being sold to the public. Mr. E.R. Kuck, owner of Brookside Farms, New Knoxville, Ohio,
wanted to document that the milk their Farms sold, was of the quality which was best for their customers.
Kuck applied for a contract, with the American Association of Medical Milk Commissioners, Inc., for a
Charter, to produce milk, as recognized by the “Methods and Standards for the Production of Certified
Milk.” Kuck’s Charter was approved on April 1, 1939.
The Celina Medical Doctors, Dr. Ralph J. Beare, Dr. John T. Gibbons and Dr. L.M. Otis, in quest of
quality milk being sold to the public, planned “The Mercer County Medical Milk Commission.” The
Mercer County Medical Association of Celina, Ohio, appointed six citizens to this Medical Milk
Commission: Dr. L.M. Otis, Otis Hospital, as President and Physician; Dr. John T. Gibbons, Gibbons
Hospital, as Vice President and Treasurer and Sanitary Inspector; Dr. Ralph J. Beare as Secretary; Dr.
M.A. Wiest, Botkins, Ohio as Veterinarian; LaDonna Hessian, Gibbons Hospital, as Laboratory Director,
and Mr. W. O. Loy, Kettlersville Grain Co., Kettlersville, Ohio as the expert for Preparation of Feeds.
The story “Facts concerning Certified Milk,” was contributed by Mary Jane Londt, daughter of LaDonna
Hessian, later the wife of James Sacher. They were parents of John, Bill, Mike, Ann Vorhees, (Celina)
Sue Weadock (St. Marys), Betsy Dahlinghaus (Minster), and Jane Londt (Ft. Wayne).
“Necessity is the Mother of Invention,” is the old adage which comes to mind. The three Medical
Doctors at Celina saw a need for an Organization to oversee the quality of the bottled milk which was
being sold to the local citizens who were their patients. Therefore, these three Mercer County Medical
Doctors saw a problem, and created a solution, i.e. “The Mercer County Medical Milk Commission.”
The Mercer County Historical Society has a Mission To Preserve Mercer County’s History and To
Educate the Public about that History. Recognizing Mercer Countians who have identified problems and
sought solutions to those problems, and then planned and implemented those solutions is one facet of the
many contributions which the Mercer County Historical Society makes to Mercer Countians. The Mercer
County Historical Society contributes to the economic and cultural development of Mercer County by
educating the public about the history of Mercer Countians and how they have influenced and still
influence the future Leadership of Mercer County and its citizens. When I first spoke to the Leadership
Class of Mercer County, I used this example of one facet of the Educational Program for Leadership.
[The Mercer County Historical Society President Joyce Alig, may be contacted at 3054 Burk-St. Henry
Road, Saint Henry, OH 45883, or [email protected] or 419-678-2614.]

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