M. Ben Gaeth
Encyclopedia
Ben Gaeth was a member of the Ohio Senate
from 1975 to 1998, representing the 1st District. Born in Oak Harbor, Ohio
, and raised on a farm there, was the youngest of 13 children. After graduating from Bowling Green State University
in 1943 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Gaeth enlisted in the Navy serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific during World War II and received the Purple Heart.
Gaeth entered public service in 1962 as Defiance’s part-time safety director, at the request of then-Mayor Robert Galliers. Three years later, when Mr. Galliers decided not to seek re-election, local Republicans asked Mr. Gaeth to run for mayor. Gaeth’s first state Senate campaign began at the request of Mr. Cook, his predecessor who in 1974 declared his candidacy for lieutenant governor. But when Mr. Cook decided to abandon that pursuit, Mr. Brennan said, Mr. Gaeth refused to withdraw and defeated Mr. Cook in a primary battle. Holding office in the era before term limits, he was re-elected five times before retiring in 1998. He rose to the chairmanship of the agriculture, commerce, and labor committee and vice-chairmanship of the highways, transportation, and local government committee.
After retiring from the Senate, Gaeth returned to Lima, Ohio
for retirement. He died in 2002.
Ohio Senate
The Ohio State Senate is the upper house of the Ohio General Assembly, the legislative body for the U.S. state of Ohio. There are 33 State Senators. The state legislature meets in the state capital, Columbus. The President of the Senate presides over the body when in session, and is currently Tom...
from 1975 to 1998, representing the 1st District. Born in Oak Harbor, Ohio
Oak Harbor, Ohio
Oak Harbor is a village in Ottawa County, Ohio, United States. Oak Harbor is 30 miles east of Toledo. The population was 2,841 at the 2000 census...
, and raised on a farm there, was the youngest of 13 children. After graduating from Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
in 1943 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Gaeth enlisted in the Navy serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific during World War II and received the Purple Heart.
Gaeth entered public service in 1962 as Defiance’s part-time safety director, at the request of then-Mayor Robert Galliers. Three years later, when Mr. Galliers decided not to seek re-election, local Republicans asked Mr. Gaeth to run for mayor. Gaeth’s first state Senate campaign began at the request of Mr. Cook, his predecessor who in 1974 declared his candidacy for lieutenant governor. But when Mr. Cook decided to abandon that pursuit, Mr. Brennan said, Mr. Gaeth refused to withdraw and defeated Mr. Cook in a primary battle. Holding office in the era before term limits, he was re-elected five times before retiring in 1998. He rose to the chairmanship of the agriculture, commerce, and labor committee and vice-chairmanship of the highways, transportation, and local government committee.
After retiring from the Senate, Gaeth returned to Lima, Ohio
Lima, Ohio
Lima is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northwestern Ohio along Interstate 75 approximately north of Dayton and south-southwest of Toledo....
for retirement. He died in 2002.