MidPointe Welcomes the New Doris L. Page Collection
The storied history of the Trenton, Ohio, area -- composed by the 98-year-old resident and author who experienced it firsthand -- is now available on MidPointe Library’s Digital Archives.
Today, with pride and gratitude, MidPointe premieres two titles from The Doris L. Page Collection, a digital assemblage of the works of the noted Trenton historian and lifelong resident.
With the blessing of Mrs. Page, more of her works will be added at a later date, said Adam Wanter, the MidPointe’s Digital and Special Collections Archivist. In the coming weeks MidPointe plans to highlight Mrs. Page and her illustrious career on this blog.
Many Trentonites know Mrs. Page as the lady who lived for decades in Trenton’s “Log Cabin/House” at 310 Hamilton Avenue.
The structure “can be traced back to 1830,” recalls Mrs. Page, who has also written or co-written other local history books. “I researched and found the names of everyone who lived there. My grandfather purchased it in the 1930s to work on as a renovation project. I moved there in 1948 and lived there 72 years.”
Learn more about Mrs. Page’s long, fascinating life in the following biography written by fellow local Historian Roger Miller:
Mrs. Doris L. Page has spent her lifetime as a resident and recorder of Trenton and its surrounding area’s history. Being 98 years old, she has seen much of it.
For 72 years she lived in a log house on Hamilton Avenue that she traced back to the original founder of Trenton – Michael Pearce and his 3000 acres of land. Mrs. Page feels that the house is special. People driving by would never know that it was a log cabin and that it sits on four acres with a barn that was built around 1809.
Her parents, Abe and Emma Young, met while riding the traction car to work in Middletown; her father worked at the American Rolling Mill Company (Armco) and her mother at the Sorg Paper Company.
Mrs. Page grew up in Trenton, first worked in a shoe store in Middletown, also riding the traction car. She then attended business school in Hamilton before obtaining a job there. Once she told me that she rode the “trolley” car each day to Hamilton to work and that the motorman knew her well enough to stop and wait for her if she was running late.
The Second World War was very hard on Mrs. Page. Her first husband was killed during that war. She later married Wesley L. Page. They had two children.
Her historical endeavors have been many and include spending 30 years as co-chairman of the Trenton Historical Society with JoAnn Howell. She has been a driving force for the saving of Chrisholm, now a MetroPark of Butler County, and the Mennonite heritage of the area. She has done extensive research that has led to the writing of or sharing the writing offive books, and many articles. The books, available at MidPointe Library, are:
With Marie Johns, “The Amish Mennonite Settlement in Butler County, Ohio”
“Miltonville’s Story”
“Where was Busenbark?”
“Woodsdale’s Story”
With Marie Johns, JoAnn Howell, Robert D. McIntyre and Myra Garrett, “Trenton People, Trenton Places: 175 Years”
Mrs. Page has always been willing to share her knowledge and information with others including this author. Tammy Woodrey, the compiler of the recent book on Trenton, “From Bloomfield to Trenton 1816-2016,” thanked Mrs. Page and Mrs. Howell for letting her “pick their brain” when she had questions about Trenton’s history.
As age catches up with Mrs. Page, she should be remembered for all that she has done for the Trenton area in making the past very important.
Roger L. Miller October 19, 2018
Now sit back, relax and get ready to learn the fascinating history of Trenton and beyond thanks to the remarkable Doris Page!
Then mark your calendars:
The Trenton Historical Society will honor Doris Page, Ed Keefe and JoAnn Howell Monday, March 11, during a dedication ceremony at the Trenton Historical Society Museum, 17 E. State Street. Plaques will be placed in the museum highlighting their years of service.
The ceremony will follow the group’s 7 p.m. meeting at the Trenton Mennonite Church Fellowship Hall, where Dr. Cameron Shriver will discuss “A Brief History of the Miami Nation.”
Memo to local history buffs:
Start your historical searches at MidPointe Library! Check out the Ohio Room and Local History and Genealogy Gallery at its Middletown location, where you can also peruse old copies of the Middletown Journal on microfilm. Or, take an online
