Famous Folks at Ferncliff: Philanthropists
Ferncliff Cemetery & Arboretum was established in 1863 and holds a wealth of stories. Learn more about some of our local philanthropists among the “Famous Folks at Ferncliff.”
Charles and Addie McGilvray
- 1849 – 1922
- 1856 – 1935
- Section R, Lot 33 (McGilvray Mausoleum)
Married in 1873, Charles and Addie McGilvray came to Springfield, Ohio in 1884 where Charles took charge of the shops of Robbins and Meyers Company Foundry. Charles was later elected city commissioner, later becoming mayor of Springfield.
The couple were known for their philanthropic activities and contributed greatly for the benefit of all in the Springfield community including Wittenberg.
The family notably made plans to dedicate their home to the Y.M.C.A. for a new building site, prior to Charles’ death in 1922. In 1929 Addie bequeathed the McGilvray home on N. Limestone St. to the “Y.” Christ Episcopal Church and several other institutions and individuals received contributions following Charles’ death.
After Charles died, Addie built The McGilvray Mausoleum at Ferncliff Cemetery, a landmark building on the cemetery grounds. Addie died December 3, 1935.
Richard Kuss
- 1923 – 2010
- Section O
Richard Kuss was born January 4, 1923, in Springfield, Ohio. He graduated from Wittenberg University and attended the Harvard Graduate School of Business. He married Barbara Deer in 1944, and they had four children together.
Kuss served in the U.S. Navy and was a local oil executive, but was most well known for his generosity. Kuss was actively involved in a number of philanthropic organizations and endeavors around Springfield. He served as vice chairman for the Wittenberg University Board of Directors, was President of the Alumni association and received Wittenberg’s Medal of Honor. Kuss was also a former member of the Board of Trustees of the Springfield Foundation, a past president of The Van Dyke Club, University Club of Springfield, and the Springfield Country Club.
He chaired two capital campaigns that raised $90 million for Wittenberg University. After a successful fundraising campaign that he chaired for Clark State, the Kuss Auditorium was named in honor of Richard and his wife, Barbara.
Kuss was the first recipient of Springfield’s “Lifetime Achievement Award” as well as the first honoree of the “Spirit of Clark County Award” and the Clark State Community College “Founders Award.”
Kuss died Aug 9, 2010 in his home in Springfield, Ohio. Richard Kuss is interred in the family plot at Ferncliff Cemetery, beside his wife, Barbara, in Sec O.
Harry Morris Turner
- 1903 – 2000
- Section X
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Harry Morris Turner came to Springfield, Ohio with his family in the early 1920s.
Turner worked in insurance and opened his own companies: Turner Insurance Agency and Cincinnati Financial Corporation.
As his businesses grew, Turner committed to doing good things in the Springfield community. In 1987, he established The Turner Charitable Foundation, Inc., to provide support to local charitable organizations.
Co-founder of the Cincinnati Insurance Co. Philanthropist and founder of the Turner Charitable Foundation, major supporter of area non-profits, including the Springfield Arts Council.
Turner supported a number of local organizations through his foundation. After his death in January 2000, the former foundation was dissolved as his estate plan laid the path for the Turner Foundation, which continues to offer financial support to nonprofits throughout Springfield and Clark County.
Harry Turner died Jan. 10, 2000 and is buried in Section X of Ferncliff Cemetery.
Jeremiah & Ann Aston Warder
- 1780 – 1849
- 1781 – 1871
- Section C, Lot 14
Jeremiah and Ann Warder relocated to Springfield from Pennsylvania in the early 1800s with their children. The family amassed a great fortune with investments in local businesses and land, including interests in the Warder, Mitchell & Co. which manufactured the Champion Reaper. The Warders contributed greatly to philanthropic activities in the city, and Ann became an early leader supporting the Clark County Underground Railroad. In 1872 their son, Benjamin, donated land and money for the creation of a free library in honor of Jeremiah and Anne. That resource is now the home of the Warder Literacy Center.
