John Omwake

"Mr. John Omwake was originally from Pennsylvania and moved to Ohio in the late 1800's as a child. He wrote a book "Conastogas of the West" about his family's travel experience. He started out as a shop boy in one of Norwood's industrial plants which printed posters. Eventually, he worked his way up the ladder in business to become company president of United States Playing Card Co. Mr. Omwake was a noted Midwestern business man traveling between Cincinnati, Chicago and New York.

He was one of the original "Y team" members to raise funds for our soldiers going to war in WWI, then helped to established the "Norwood Welfare Dept." Norwood Welfare Dept. became Norwood Service League, and was very involved in civic matters. Mr. Omwake served for many years as the Board President or board member of NSL to help needy people. He died in 1938 (?). His daughter Evelyn Omwake Bosworth gave an oil painting of her father to Norwood Service League in 1939. Today, his presence is still felt in the NSL Board Room as a testimony of the great things that can occur when good people work together."

John Otis Omwake was born January 13, 1894, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, to Henry and Eveline (Beaver) Omwake. He died April 23, 1939 at his residence, 2409 Grandin Road, Cincinnati, Ohio. His second wife at the time was Teressa Tredell Omwake. He was buried at Spring Grove Cemetery, Section 86, Lot 142.