Walter J. Michael

Walter J. Michael (December 6, 1900 – January 20, 1977) was an American industrialist, harness racing executive, and horse breeder who was the founder of Northfield Park. He was inducted into the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame in 1968.

Early life and education Walter J. Michael was born on December 6, 1900, in Cleveland, Ohio, United States.

His mother was Sadie Dexheimer, and his father was Charles F. Michael, the founding president of Ohio Locomotive Crane Co. Walter spent his early years in Cleveland before relocating to Bucyrus, Ohio, in 1909. He graduated from Bucyrus High School and later attended Ohio State University. His company exhibited at the 1933 World's Fair.

In 1946, Michael, then in his 17th year as president, purchased the National Grave Vault Company of Galion, Ohio, and merged it with the Sozonia Vault Company, consolidating manufacturing at an expanded Bucyrus facility.

Ohio Locomotive Crane Co. Walter took over as president of Ohio Locomotive Crane Co. in 1938, succeeding his father.

Racing commissioner His interest in harness racing started in 1937 with the purchase of a pair of standardbred horses. He became a director of the Hambletonian Society in 1943 and held the position until 1971.

During the 1940s, former Ohio Governor John Bricker appointed him to the Ohio State Racing Commission, and the appointment was later renewed by former Gov. Frank Lausche. Lausche also appointed him to the Ohio Board of Agriculture. Following World War II, he served as Superintendent of Speed at the Ohio State Fair and helped rebuild the track at the Ohio State Fairgrounds. After he bought an interest in Grandview, he secured an interest in Painesville Raceway in 1957. Grandview and Painesville later held their racing meets at Michael's Northfield Park. He sold the track and controlling interests in the Northfield and Grandview racing permits in 1972 for $7.5 million to Cleveland developer Carl Milstein and investors, including George Steinbrenner.

United States Trotting Association He was elected a director of the United States Trotting Association, the governing body of harness racing, in 1954.