The children of Jacob Gentholtz, German immigrant, and Marietta "Mary" Munson were a fairly interesting bunch. High achievers to criminals, they did anything from following their family's farming roots to being captains of industry.
Today, I'll be talking about the only child of John R. Gentholtz (later Gentholts) and his wife, Jennie Day.
Arthur J. Gentholts was born 08 Mar 1894 in Alliance, Mahoning County, Ohio. He achieved a high level of success and status in his life. He attended East High School in Alliance, Ohio and then
He married Ora Murdoch, daughter of Mr & Mrs D. C. Murdoch on 08 Jun 1918 in Alliance. After his service, he joined Bourne-Fuller Co. as counsel in 1919. The firm merged with Republic Steel in 1930 and Arthur became its assistant counsel. A good part of the work he did there was handling legislative matters important to Republic Steel across the country. Republic Steel had a subsidiary company, Truscon Steel, at which Gentholts became vice president. He also was the former president of Republic's River Terminal Railway Co.
During World War II, Arthur served as a member of the Ohio Defense Council, which coordinated defense activities in Ohio with federal agencies. He later left Republic and became the president for three years of the Ohio Manufacturers Association and as director for 10 years.
The trappings of success allowed them to live in an exclusive neighborhood in Shaker Heights, outside of Cleveland at 17403 Fernway Rd. As their children, Norris and Jane grew up, they were afforded the opportunity to move in the upper circles of society, belonging to the country club and participating in activities there.
Arthur died in Cleveland on 02 Aug 1965 and his wife Ora lived on until 18 Dec 1984, dying in Aurora, Portage, Ohio.
Norris J. Gentholts was born 09 Aug 1919 in Cuyahoga County. He married Elizabeth "Becky" Bechtol in Jun 1942 in Cuyahoga County. They had three children. Norris attended Amherst College in New York and his wife Becky attended at nearby Wells College. He served in the Navy beginning in 1942 and attained the rank of Lieutenant (JG). After service, he worked as an industrial rep for Glidden Co. He later began a new career as business manager for Western Reserve Academy. The couple retired to Florida and later moved to Montana prior to their deaths. Becky preceded Norris in death on 02 Nov 2009 in Bozeman, Montana. Norris died 18 Aug 2010 at the age of 91.
Daughter Jane married first William E Davis III who served in World War II and then attended law school. They divorced after having three children. Jane then married James Dolph McCarter., a divorced father of three. Jane lived a long life and died in Silverdale, Kitsap County, Washington on 03 Jul 2010. Her second husband died on 31 Dec 1984 in Cleveland. William Davis died 22 Aug 1984 after a long career as an attorney specializing in estate and trust planning.
