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County farmers posthumously honored

By KATIE WHITE 3 min read

LISBON -- Whether it was being the first to raise white tail deer, the first to establish the county's 4-H hog and lamb committee, or serving three terms on the county's fair board and calling square dances for area youth, three county farmers made their mark on the community.

Ernest Aegerter Jr., Frank Murray and Isaac Skeels were all honored for their service to agriculture in the county on Tuesday at the county fairgrounds.

The men were posthumously enshrined in the fair's Agricultural Hall of Fame.

"This is a worthy group to add to this great wall of fame," Don Humphrey Jr., ex-officio fair board member, said. "Their contributions to agriculture and to this county we love make them worthy to add to this great pantheon."

Humphrey presented each of the families with a plaque honoring the men's contributions to the county, and the plaques are then permanently displayed on the wall inside the arts and crafts building.

The plaques feature a brief biography of each person that outlines their service to agriculture and the community.

"This is a great honor for us our and our family," Ernest Aegerter's son Jake Aegerter said.

According to his biography, Ernest Aegerter was the first in the county to raise white tail deer.

He was born in his family's farmhouse in Hanover Township in 1951 and later raised his own family in that same house.

Before his death in 2005, his service in the county included 12 years on the fair board, with one of those years as presidents and two as vice president. He was also a member of the county's farm bureau.

Frank Murray was born in 1916 and was the first to establish the county's 4-H hog and lamb committee and also constructed the sheep and hog barns at the fairgrounds.

He bought his first farm in Hanover Township when he was 21 years old and later bought a farm in Center Township and maintained both during his life. He passed away in 1997.

His daughter, Leanna Murray Stryffeler, said she appreciates the county's Agricultural Hall of Fame.

"I think it's a wonderful opportunity for farmers and agriculture in the area," she said.

In addition to farming, her father bought and sold pigs in areas throughout the county over the years, and often hauled livestock for other buyers as well.

Isaac "Ike" Skeels, born in 1909, served three terms on the county's fair board and called square dances for area youth.

His contribution included working as a dairy farmer in Salem until his death in 1971, as well as showing Guernsey cattle and draft ponies at the fairs in both Columbiana and Mahoning counties.

According to his biography, he was also an avid supporter of the county 4-H and FFA programs and advised the Just-Rite 4-H Club for 20 years.

"This is a great honor," his son Bill Skeels said.

Humphrey said the fair is always interested in finding new inductees each year, and encouraged participation.

To be eligible, inductees must have made a contribution to the field of agriculture, shown innovation in the industry, and been active in the community. They must also have been deceased for at least two years, as the award is only awarded posthumously.

The Agricultural Hall of Fame was started in 2000.

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