The token is about the size of a half dollar (39 mm). It is made of bronze and when new, had a gold wash.
Joseph Schontal (Schonthal) was born on August 15, 1854 in Hungary. He was known as "Pop" and "Dad" Schonthal, a nationally respected philanthropist and a prominent Jewish leader in Columbus. The Jewish Community Center of Columbus has a more extensive story about Schonthal on their website, as he was instrumental in founding what would become the JCC of today.
Schonthal was President of the Joseph Schonthal Iron Company. In 1910 the company was located at the corner of Buttles and Factory. Schonthal then lived at 242 West 8th Avenue. His wife Hermine died that same year.
The Ohio Jewish Chronicle of July 9, 1926 reported, "Mr. Joseph Schonthal of the Southern Hotel entertained Friday evening with a dinner at the Southern Hotel. Three hundred and fifty guests were present."
In 1926, Schonthal had purchased land at Magnetic Springs outside of Columbus to start "fresh-air camp for children and women, mothers and career women who were given the chance to spend at least a week during the hot, humid Columbus summer at the beautiful, coolness of the waters of Magnetic Springs." The dinner that this July 9, 1926 token commemorates may have had something to do with the camp that opened on August 15, 1926.
Schonthal died on December 15, 1929 at his residence at the Southern Hotel.