I really have no developments to report since my last update. That, however, doesn’t prevent me from having something to say.
Paul Edward Werner
I recently had cause to reflect on my family history and discovered that my great, great grandfather was prominent enough that 80 years after his death there is still plenty of mention of him out there in cyberspace.
Paul Edward Werner immigrated to the United States in 1867 at the age of 16. His father, Ernst Edward Werner, was mayor of a small farming community (Gruibingen) near Stuttgart, Germany. That status did not come with great wealth and “P.E.” left for the states to find his way in life. He settled in Akron, Ohio and through hard work and dedication eventually became one of the city’s great industrialists.
Here are a couple of websites that provide interesting facts about his career:
http://mredwerner.blogspot.com/
http://www.sagelewis.com/2006/09/07/paul-e-werner-werner-printing-and-lithographing-plant/
He amassed great personal wealth over the course of his career, the pinnacle of which included the nation’s largest book publishing company, Werner Printing and Lithograph Co. Founded in 1886, the company opened branches in 20 countries. However, he also lost everything due to massive legal fees that mounted thanks to lawsuits filed in every country in which he conducted business. The lawsuits, brought forth by Encyclopedia Britannica, alleged trademark violation. Although my great, great grandfather won virtually every suit, the legal fees proved too great and he was forced to file for bankruptcy. After the publishing empire crumbled, P.E. ventured into the rubber manufacturing industry in Kansas City but lost financial backing and the company folded. In 1927 he returned to his former home in Akron, nearly broke but not disgraced–he was given a hero’s welcome.
You’re probably asking, ‘What does this have to do with Olive’s quest for Hollywood?’
Well, my great, great grandfather was friends with the likes of President William McKinley, Buffalo Bill Cody, French painter James Tissot, German Count Ferdinand Zeppelin and Queen Victoria. He was connected. He would have known or been able to establish contact with people who would see the value in an animated film featuring Olive the Woolly Bugger—people like Robert Redford or Ted Turner. While there is no knowledge of him having been a fly fisherman, he could have opened doors.
I may share my middle and last names with Paul Edward Werner, but I’m not having such luck.
Yet.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
You are hereby notified of cease a desist order #2011-56 granted on 1 Smarch 2011 by the 83rd district court of Los Angeles.
To which firm should we direct correspondence regarding your infringement of my client’s copyright, as it pertains to the Grizzly the Dry Fly series of children’s literature and direct marketed DVD’s?
Dear sir,
Bite me.
Respectfully,
Olive the Woolly Bugger
Hehe. “Bite me.” I’m pretty sure your great, great grandfather would have said something similar
This is so cool that he is your great, great grandfather. I have no relation to him (or you) other than I work in Akron running a small company. I bought another building down the road. But I really wanted your great, great grandfather’s building. It’s not for sale.
I wanted it because A: it is a kick ass looking building. B: I wanted to be connected to someone like your great, great grandfather.
But you are definitely connected to him. You have him in you.
I haven’t read more of your blog. But I will.
I’m sure you have him in you. You’ll get it done.
I will keep an eye out for your film.
Sage,
First, thanks for compiling the info on P.E. Werner and posting it on your blog. I obviously never met him, but my dad’s family all hailed from Akron. P.E. had three sons, one of which was my great grandfather Edward Paul Werner (I did meet him when I was young). My grandfather, whom I never did meet, left Akron for Tacoma, WA when my dad was very young and that’s how my immediate branch of the family came to not live in Akron. The story of P.E.’s rise and fall is certainly an interesting aspect of our family history. Had it not been for Encyclopedia Britannica, I might have been born into great wealth and would have Robert Redford on my speed dial. As it is, I am but a mere commoner.
But one never knows who reads one’s blog. Who knows, perhaps if you were to just happen to mention this, someone reading your blog would know someone of influence in the film industry and I will strike a big film deal. If I do, I’ll buy that old building which belonged to my great, great, grandfather and present it to you as a token of my gratitude.
Thanks for the nice words.