First Elected Mayor of GC

Four men wanted the honor of being the first elected mayor after Grove City received city status June 5, 1959. The city became Ohio’s 150th city. The charter went into effect July 1, 1959 while Ernest Hysell was mayor so, in fact, he was the first mayor to serve the city. The four who wanted to be the first elected included, Hysell, the incumbent; George Haughn, president of council; Paul E. White, five-term former mayor; and Anton C. Patzer, president of First National Bank and president of the Lockbourne Farmers Exchange. Just weeks after the announcement, Hysell withdrew citing health issues. It was a close election. Patzer, pictured, a newcomer to the local political scene, was elected by one vote. The unofficial tally was Patzer 819; Haughn 818; White 577.