Piqua Civic Hall of Fame

The Piqua Civic Hall of Fame was initiated in 1994 to recognize citizens of Piqua who have made a significant contribution to society.

2009 Piqua Civic Hall of Fame Inductees are...

Viola Ruth Bowdry Clemens (1908-2004) Clemens moved to Piqua in 1925 with her husband Emerson.  She served as a Red Cross nurse during World War II volunteering at the Piqua Memorial Hospital.  As an active member of the N.A.A.C.P., she participated in several local sit-ins that helped end segregation in restaurants and theaters.  She ran a catering business in Piqua from 1951 until 1983.  Clemens was the first African-American member of Piqua's Altrusa Club, a YWCA board member and treasurer of the County Republican Women's Club. 

Mary E. Hall (1850-1905) Hall was born in Piqua prior to the Civil War.  She first served as a teacher in the Piqua schools from 1869 to 1877.  In 1872, she briefly resigned her position as a teacher in protest over the issue of low and unequal wages paid to women teachers.  In June of 1877, she became the first women administrator in the school system, serving as principal of the high school until 1905.  In 1896, she was one of the charter members of the Piqua Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. 

David Urbansky (1839-1897) Urbansky was born in Prussia and immigrated to Ohio as a young man.  He was a merchant tailor and when the Civil War broke out he joined the 58th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment to fight for his adopted country.  At the Siege of Vicksburg he braved Confederate fire to save his wounded company commander.  As a result of this action and for meritorious service at the Battle of Shiloh, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

 Click here for the 2010 Ballot