Henry Schriver
Encyclopedia
Thousands knew him as the “Farmer Philosopher” who spoke in rhyme about the values of farming and cooperation. His large family knew him as a devoted husband, energetic dad, and delightful grandpa to several generations. Mr. Schriver was admired worldwide for his tireless volunteering, community leadership, sense of hu mor, Christian faith and quiet generosity.
But first and foremost, he was a farmer. Even this past winter, wearing his familiar bib overalls and helped by family, he continued to visit and feed his beloved cows.
When he was 47, he combined three of his favorite subjects into a poetic presentation called “Cows, Kids and Co-ops”. He gave variations of that speech in rhyme thousands of times to groups all over the country about being leaders in their communities. Mr. Schriver’s creative use of poetry and flipcharts launched a second career in public speaking that was filmed in 1965 by the American Institute of Cooperation and the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The hugely successful film was later used by the U.S. State Department to help advance agricultural education programs throughout the world.
Mr. Schriver’s passion for educating other farmers about cooperatives led to international trips to Taiwan as a guest of their government, and to Russia as part of a volunteer group. At the state level, he served in the Ohio House of Representatives
in 1967-1968, working on committees for agriculture, conservation, pollution, safety and education. Locally, he was very active in many organizations, including Easter Seals
, 4-H
, Future Farmers of America and Farm Bureau. As President of Belden School Board, he was instrumental in the creation of the Midview Local School District. He was also a driving force in the formation of Lorain County Soil and Water Conservation District, the founding of Lorain County Community College
, and the establishment of the Grafton Township Fire Department.
Aside from his many local and national honors, awards and memberships, Mr. Schriver was a practical man who brought out the best in people and constantly and deliberately sought ways to help others improve their own lives. His farm was a demonstration site for soil conservation practices, and lots of kids found their first jobs picking apples or strawberries on the family farm. In 1965, he organized 4-H and FFA members to clean up Grafton Township crop fields in time for planting after the devastating Palm Sunday tornado.
Mr. Schriver was a very active and life-long member of Belden United Methodist Church, serving as a Sunday School teacher and Superintendent, Lay Leader and Trustee for many years.
Born in Belden in 1914, he lived his whole life in that area. Mr. Schriver graduated from Belden High School, and then earned his B.Sc. in Agriculture from The Ohio State University in 1937. A year later, he married his college sweetheart, Dorothy Ellen Langshaw. Together, they raised eleven children on their dairy and fruit farm. They had been married 63 years when she died in 2001. At the time of his death on March 27, 2011 he had 40 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Henry Schriver is a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives
.
But first and foremost, he was a farmer. Even this past winter, wearing his familiar bib overalls and helped by family, he continued to visit and feed his beloved cows.
When he was 47, he combined three of his favorite subjects into a poetic presentation called “Cows, Kids and Co-ops”. He gave variations of that speech in rhyme thousands of times to groups all over the country about being leaders in their communities. Mr. Schriver’s creative use of poetry and flipcharts launched a second career in public speaking that was filmed in 1965 by the American Institute of Cooperation and the U. S. Department of Agriculture. The hugely successful film was later used by the U.S. State Department to help advance agricultural education programs throughout the world.
Mr. Schriver’s passion for educating other farmers about cooperatives led to international trips to Taiwan as a guest of their government, and to Russia as part of a volunteer group. At the state level, he served in the Ohio House of Representatives
Ohio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio; the other house of the bicameral legislature being the Ohio Senate....
in 1967-1968, working on committees for agriculture, conservation, pollution, safety and education. Locally, he was very active in many organizations, including Easter Seals
Easter Seals
Easter Seals is an international charitable organization devoted to providing opportunities for children with physical disabilities. See*Easter Seals *Easter Seals *Easter Seals...
, 4-H
4-H
4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture , with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development." The name represents...
, Future Farmers of America and Farm Bureau. As President of Belden School Board, he was instrumental in the creation of the Midview Local School District. He was also a driving force in the formation of Lorain County Soil and Water Conservation District, the founding of Lorain County Community College
Lorain County Community College
Lorain County Community College is a community college located in the city of Elyria in Lorain County, Ohio, which is part of the Northeast Ohio region. It was visited by Barack Obama, the President of the United States, in January 2010....
, and the establishment of the Grafton Township Fire Department.
Aside from his many local and national honors, awards and memberships, Mr. Schriver was a practical man who brought out the best in people and constantly and deliberately sought ways to help others improve their own lives. His farm was a demonstration site for soil conservation practices, and lots of kids found their first jobs picking apples or strawberries on the family farm. In 1965, he organized 4-H and FFA members to clean up Grafton Township crop fields in time for planting after the devastating Palm Sunday tornado.
Mr. Schriver was a very active and life-long member of Belden United Methodist Church, serving as a Sunday School teacher and Superintendent, Lay Leader and Trustee for many years.
Born in Belden in 1914, he lived his whole life in that area. Mr. Schriver graduated from Belden High School, and then earned his B.Sc. in Agriculture from The Ohio State University in 1937. A year later, he married his college sweetheart, Dorothy Ellen Langshaw. Together, they raised eleven children on their dairy and fruit farm. They had been married 63 years when she died in 2001. At the time of his death on March 27, 2011 he had 40 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Henry Schriver is a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives
Ohio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio; the other house of the bicameral legislature being the Ohio Senate....
.