Wayne Knolls Farm

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During the early part of the 1800’s American’s were rushing west.  Moving from Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia and all along the east coast. Whole families participated in a land grab unlike any other in history. This shift west was spurred by the creation of the General Land Office which began offering Public Lands northwest of the Ohio River for $2.00 an acre. For a relatively small sum (equivalent to roughly $7,050.00 in 2021) 160 acres could be bought. 

Federal Land Patents worked as the first-title document mechanism to pass 270 million public acres east of the Mississippi in the newly formed United States from the Government to private ownership. This untamed wilderness was surveyed and broken down into 36-square mile townships. Townships quickly became communities of pioneer frontier families who were creating homesteads and brand-new beginnings. 

In Wayne County Ohio one such founding families (Township XVIII, Range VI) were the Etling’s from Fayette County, Pennsylvania. John Etling was the first son of German immigrants who brought his family to the pioneer territory of Chippewa Township in 1818. John and his wife Catherine began purchasing property along what is now Coal Bank Road just outside of Marshallville in 1815. 

Unfortunately, John passed away at an early age in 1831, but not before providing a bright future in Ohio for nine children and amassing a considerable amount of acreage. Catherine, being the strong frontier women she was, continued to acquire land through 1855. One such purchase was made in 1838. This transaction included 160 acres for a sum of $1375.00 from Henry Swan; this is the land the subject property now sits. Henry was the original purchaser of the property from the United States General Land Office on the Second of November 1821; the original document having been signed by President Andrew Jackson as well and the Commissioner of the General Land Office at the time George Graham.

William Etling, son of John and Catherine, purchased 80 acres in March of 1841 for $600 from Catherine. These 80 acres would become the family homestead. In June of 1841, William and his new bride Abigail built a log cabin on this property near a natural spring. This log cabin was situated between what is now the office and main house. 

According to the Wayne County Historical Society the main house was built by William and Abigail in 1852. The home continued to be passed down for two more generations. John Ervin Etling purchased the property from his father William Etling and Charles Webster Etling purchased it from John Ervin. In 1976, the home was deemed a “Century House” which in Wayne County, requires the same family to occupy a home for 100 or more years.

 
In 1943 Harold Etling, and his new bride Betty, purchased the property from Charles W. Etling. This purchase would come at an exciting and transformative time for both Harold and the property. It would also mark the last time an Etling would occupy the property. 

From the time William Etling built the original homestead in 1852 little is documented regarding changes or improvements to the property. We know according to a brief article in the March 23rd, 1920 print of the Courier Crescent Newspaper (Orrville) that Charles W Etling upgraded the home and barns to be wired for electricity, using the “Alamo” light plant, which is equivalent to today’s backup gas generators. 

We can only guess that between the 1850’s through the 1930’s there were likely a number of improvements to the home and outbuildings put in place to protect the livestock and the harvest of the growing farm.

Beyond the home itself, we know John Etling was born and raised on the homestead.  Educated in the local School House #7 during the winter months, allowing the warmer months to be filled with learning his lifelong skills in agriculture.  At 21 years old John began renting the home from his parents William and Abigail, 12 years later purchasing one half of the north end of property and the remaining in 1907, during this period John was also acquiring additional property beyond the borders of the original 160 acres. Over the many years on the farm, John became a well-known agriculturist, harvesting numerous crops and an excellent grade of livestock. In addition to acquiring 200 plus acres, raising a large family with his wife Elizabeth Shafer, John was also very engaged in community affairs, serving multiple terms on the School Board and as Chippewa Township Trustee.

Like his father, Charles Webster Etling was also born and raised on the Homestead. After he wed his lifelong wife Ida Young (also of Marshallville) in July of 1907 they joined his parents on the Homestead for several months, until relocating to Barberton in November of the same year. Mr. Etling would be employed in the lumber and sewage piping business for approximately 6 years. After those years in Barberton, Charles and Ida took the opportunity to purchase the farm adjoining the Homestead. Eventually, Charles would also acquire the Homestead from his father several years later, operating both farms for a number of years until his sons moved away and founding it difficult to maintain both properties. It was at this point Charles and his wife sold the property to his cousin, Harold Etling. 

Even after the sale, Charles would continue to take care of the grounds at both properties. Known for his green thumb, Charles took care of the landscaping and specifically planting a bounty of annuals and perennials. Proudly, Charles planted over 1,500 dahlias. After the Homestead was sold to Harold Etling and transformed into a well-known Angus farm, Charles often traveled to the Angus sales throughout the country as well as aiding in the day to day operations of the farm. As Etling’s had for many years before, the family continued the tradition of living near one another and assisting each other in all ventures. Case in point, Jefferson Etling, Charles son was also a  contributor to the successful Wayne Knolls Farm, working as a plant manager at Etling Products and as the farm manager later on. 

Harold Abraham Etling was born on September 28, 1900 in Marshallville, Ohio to Abraham Etling and Adda Cecelia Etling McIntire). The youngest of 9 children he had his fair share of chores on his parent’s farm. At the time of his birth Harold’s parents were in their mid-forties, his oldest sibling being 33 years his senior, and his sibling closest to his age was still 6 years older. By the time Harold was born many of Abraham and Adda’s children had grown into adulthood and moved away. During these early years Harold attended the same one room schoolhouse #7 that many Etling’s before him had attended at the corner of Coal Bank Road and Warwick Road in Marshallville, about one mile north of the Homestead. When not attending school, he learned what he could on his parent’s farm and the family farms that surrounded him.  

Later he would work as an auctioneer, pipefitter, and a salesman for home farm electrical plants much like the one his cousin had installed on the homestead several years earlier.  September 5th, 1928 Harold married Hannah Mildred Roberts [born October 3, 1904] in Barberton, Ohio.  The pair and had one daughter, Patricia Etling.  Harold and Mildred separated after several years.

Starting in 1926 Harold took a salesman position for his brother B.O.’s “Etling Lumber Company” in Barberton, Ohio. By this time Birtus had become very successful in several lines of business in Barberton, and was responsible for the construction of thousands of homes in the fast growing Barberton metro-area. It was during this time as a salesman at his brothers lumber company Harold would go on to invent and patent the interchangeable storm window and founded Weather-Seal in the 1933. 

Weather Seal was born at the height of the depression, however, despite the downtrodden economy, customers adopted this innovation. Harold had devised the first storm window, an interchangeable window system in which an individual could change a window from a pane of glass in the winter and severe weather to a screen in warmer weather.  With a capital investment of only $2,000.00, Harold started production in a small one room assembly plant.  The business grew steadily in the local area near its headquarters in Barberton, eventually expanding to Akron and its growing suburbs. From Northeast Ohio the business continued to grow in sales, in the number of employees and in the number of manufacturing plants. While Weather Seal was born out of the depression it was perfectly positioned to take on the post war housing boom that followed World War II and the subsequent economic expansion. 

As that perfectly positioned business began to blossom, Harold also found love. On September 5th, 1942 Harold married Betty Jean Newton in Kentucky; the pair remained united for 43 years and raised four children.  

The business continued to experience rapid growth through the 40’s and 50’s alongside the nation’s construction boom.  The business, originally named Etling Window Company became Weather-Seal, Inc.  The company stayed an industry leader and innovator and rapidly moved beyond the one room assembly plant.  At its peak there were five manufacturing plants in Ohio and Michigan. 

Harold found himself as the head of profitable endeavor and newly married. For a number of years Harold had lived in Barberton near his company’s headquarters, however, with a growing family on the horizon it was obvious a new home was in order. There was only one location this man born in the country found suitable. Harold purchased the Homestead from his cousin Charles (who was actually 7 years his junior). Extensive work was done to the property and the home which was originally a bungalow exploded into a large two story home. Over the year’s barns, garages, a guest house, office and even a small lake and pond were constructed on the main property.

During the 1960’s Weather-Seal continued to grow.  By this time Harold had over 15 patents, and Weather-Seal Inc. was credited with an additional 20 plus patents.  Thirty four years after starting Weather-Seal Harold made the decision to retire as President/ CEO.  A deal was struck with Georgia-Pacific Corp. in 1968 and Harold stepped down.

Harold had retired from Weather-Seal in 1968 but the innovations and growth continued.  Over time Harold had continued to purchase property in the Marshallville area, some of the property was previously owned by other Etling family members who had settled in the same area as Harold’s grandfather, William Etling.  At the height of his property ownership Harold owned over 1,000 acres, much of which had been leased to local farmers, many of which grew and harvested grain corn for their livestock. 

By the 1970’s Harold was well-respected throughout the Midwest as an Angus rancher.  It was during this time he had a cut of meat that did not met his expectations.  He believed there had to be a way to insure people could experience a great steak.  After meeting with several prominent members of the Angus Association it was agreed there should be a way to certify a good cut of beef.  Harold had become one of the founding fathers of Certified Angus Beef.  Certified Angus Beef has seen rapid growth in recent years and is internationally recognized.   Certified Angus Beef is located in Wooster; the brand was established in 1978. 

On February 7, 1985 Harold passed away after a short illness.  Harold was laid to rest in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Southeast of Marshallville, Ohio.
 

As Weather Seal continued its growth and expanded it product line from storm windows and doors into numerous building materials it allowed Harold the financial freedom to acquire the old homestead from his uncle Charles. A complete overhaul of the property occurred over a number of decades.  The updates included the addition of a guest house, a home office separate from the main house, an expansion and upgrade to the main house, stocked ponds and a large cattle complex. Additionally, during this time, 122 different species of trees were planted on the property, many of which have survived and still stand today. 

Named after it's gently rolling hills in Wayne County, Wayne Knolls Farm grew from 160 acres to nearly 360 and at the height of the operation there were nearly 1,000 acres producing Grand Champion Bulls.  Harold was a respected member of the Ohio Angus Breeders Association, and over time his reputation for raising pure-bred cattle provided the opportunity to host several large National Aberdeen-Angus auctions at the property.  In 1951 the farm held one such auction, which set the record in the state of Ohio for highest average per per animal, Aberdeen-Angus cattle.

Of all the pure-bred bulls raised at Wayne Knolls Farm, there was one that put Wayne Knolls Farm on the map.  "Duke of Wayne Knolls" was named grand champion and supreme champion at the 1949 American Aberdeen-Agnus Breeders' Futurity. The Duke of Wayne Knolls was featured in Life magazine,  According to the Akron Beacon Journal in 1950, "The Duke, bred and reared on the Etling Wayne Knolls Farm, is recognized as the best among the country's Aberdeen-Angus animals."

Duke of Mil-Burn

Throughout the years Harold became a believer in Black Angus and their premium beef quality. Partnering with other local ranchers, Harold laid the foundation for Certified Angus Beef (R) now located in Wooster, Ohio.  Harold was posthumously awarded an induction to the Angus heritage Foundation in 1995 whom descripted his efforts as "Etling's love of Angus cattle at his Wayne Knolls Farm, Marshallville, Ohio, combined with his belief in the importance of high quality beef led him to play a key roll in development of the Certified Angus Beef Program.  After helping organize the program, he was appointed in 1977 to the CAB Program board of directors." In addition to the Angus Heritage Foundation, Harold was also awarded the Industry Excellency award by Ohio Cattleman's Association in 1975.

During the initial years, produce was grown and sold. However, over the years the Etling farm become known for it's champion Angus.  The most well know Champion bull was “Shorty”, a 1950 pound Angus which was a Supreme Champion [national recognition].  There would often be Angus auctions and BBQ’s at the homestead which included not only locals, but individuals from around the Midwest.

It was a difficult decision, however, in 1994 the family finally decided to part ways with the homestead.  Unbeknownst to the family, auctioneers and community, the winning bid came from a charming, free spending individual who would within a few years would flee the county as a fugitive and be on the run for more than a decade. 

It was obvious by the turnout on auction day that this landmark was well known and beloved by many.  It's not everyday a century home is sold to the highest bidder.  Not only did this estate offer the chance to purchase one of the oldest homes in Wayne County, but it came with two stocked ponds, a guest house, two garages, a large midcentury office and multiple barns. Even though the property had been well maintained, it had become difficult for the last occupant to maintain the unique property on her own. Many spectators were hopeful some amount of deferred maintenance would allow an opportunity to pick up the property on the cheap.

The crowd consisted of many locals who knew each other or were north east Ohio natives. As bidding kicked off it became obvious there would only be one winner, the mystery however came after the auction ended. Who was this new owner? 

Eric Bartoli had not attended the auction in person, but soon enough, his name would be on the lips of all Wayne County residents and eventually the nation. Bartoli seemed to be a man of mystery from the start.  Little was known about where he came from or how he had built such a successful Mutual Fund business, however, despite those unknowns Bartoli was accepted as a local farmer. 

Between 1995 and 1998, Bartoli acquired several local farms in the Wayne County area. Rumors regarding his rampant spending on drastic renovations and lavish lifestyle spread like wildfire in the tight knit communities he lived in. Bartoli added a party barn, complete with cut crystal chandeliers, swimming pool, a par 3 golf hole and a two story stone pub which featured a winery in the basement. Vexatious contractors would install a fixture, or exotic paneling only to be torn out and redone with even higher end fixture or paneling.

 
The absurdity branched out beyond farmstead renovations, none more senseless than the furniture store that Bartoli and his wife, Silvana opened in nearby Doylestown. Il Ferro Martellato was a chic furniture store that catered to the wealthy, however, Doylestown had very few residents that were willing to spend thousands on furniture. Within a few months, Il Ferro Martellato was closed, even though the commercial buildings Bartoli owned on Portage Street had taken several hundred thousand dollars to renovate. 

Bartoli’s activities were detailed in the Aug. 8, 2012, airing of “American Greed: The Fugitives,” in an episode titled “Main Street Double Cross.”