Valentine Lapham Civil War Veteran, Marion Firefighter and Inventor

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Valentine Lapham was born on 9 May 1842, near Carpenters Corners, Marion County, Ohio. His parents are Arthur & Matilda (Faurot) Lapham.

Valentine Lapham enlisted into the Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI) on 26 July 1862, in Marion, Ohio. He was serving in E Company, 96th Regiment, OVI. Company E was raised in Marion County. It mustered into service with the 96th Regiment in Delaware County, Ohio, on 29 August 1862. The 96th was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel A. H. Brown, of Marion, Ohio.

The 96th lost heavily in the attack on Arkansas Post and then took part in the siege of Vicksburg. Throughout the term of its enlistment it was engaged in the war in the West. It marched 1,683 miles; was transported by boat 7,686 miles; and by rail 517 miles; making a grand total of 9,886 miles.

From History of Marion County, Ohio

Valentine Lapham moved through the ranks to serve as a First Sergeant. On 19 August 1863 he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant; on 1 September 1863 he was promoted to First Lieutenant and then to Captain on 25 July 1864.

Valentine Lapham participated in the battles at Chickasaw Bluffs (Opening battle for Vicksburg), Arkansas Post aka the Battle Fort Hindman, Dallas Station Raid, Battle of Opelousas, Battle of Bayou Bourbeux Carrion Crow aka Battle of Carrion Crow Bayou, and the Battle of Sabine Crossroads aka the Battle of Mansfield. It was on 8 April 1864, at the Battle of Sabine Crossroads, that Lt. Lapham was wounded by gun shot. He returned home to recuperate and was promoted to Captain.

Captain Valentine Lapham returned to the regiment and promptly returned to active service. He was in command of a company during the siege and capture of Forts Gaines & Morgan, Mobile Bay, Alabama.

Captain Valentine Lapham was mustered out of service on 17 November 1864. He returned to Marion County, Ohio. In 1865 Valentine Lapham went to Illinois and married Ettie (Burkholder). The remained there until he returned to Marion.

On 1 April 1878, Elected as City Marshal of Marion. then later that month, on 11 April 1878, The Marion Daily Star reported that T. C. Bowen was nominated and confirmed as Solicitor and Chief of Fire Department. Also, nominated and confirmed were V. Lapham as Engineer of Fire Steamer, Con Maloy as Teamster, J. Cochran & A. BenVenuti as Night Watchmen.
On 17 April 1878, Council voted for his wages as Marshal to be $40/month. It seems he wore many hats and kept himself engaged in the community.

The engineer, Lapham, resided on Bellefontaine Ave., slept at home and rode to the fires on his horse, while only the driver slept at the station.

From Phil Reid’s History of the Marion Fire Department

On 20 December 1881, Lapham served as Postmaster in Marion, and served until 1884. He was also to serve as the first Commander of the Cooper Post Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), Marion Post.

Sometime around 1890, Lapham moved himself and his family to Chicago, Illinois. While in Chicago the city directory listed the following occupations: Employed as Tool Maker, Machinist, Pattern Maker, Salesman, Superintendent.

While in Chicago we find he had filed for a patent with a Thurman Wallace for “SPRINKLER HEAD FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.” This patent was published on 4 April 1894, listing Valentine Lapham as the inventor. There is also a patent published under his name on 21 February 1898, for “SPRINKLER HEAD FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.” It appears his time as a firefighter in Marion remained on his mind with his inventions.

Valentine Lapham died on 2 November 1920, in Chicago, Illinois. It appears he was cremated, and his ashes were given to his daughter by Oak Woods Cemetery in Chicago.

Valentine Lapham is remembered for his military service on the walls of the Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Memorial Chapel, at the Marion Cemetery; Column 37, 96th OVI, Lapham, V.

Colonel Albert H. Brown Veteran of the Mexican War & Civil War

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Albert Handel Brown on 18 October 1925 in Raymond, New Hampshire. We find him in Marion, Ohio, on 12 October 1848, when he married Ann D. Elder. They would have children listed on the Census of 1860; Mary J. Brown 8 years old; Edwin S. Brown 4 years old; Jane Brown 2 years old. Ann D. (Elder) Brown died in 1862. He then married Sally J. (Lyon) in 1866. He and Sally had three children: Elva, born in 1868, Annie, 1870, and Alice H., 1872. Sally died in 1923.

By the time A. H. Brown married Ann D. (Elder), he was a veteran of the Mexican War. He was with the 3rd Ohio Regiment. He was mustered out in May of 1847. Brown is listed as the Postmaster in Marion, Ohio, in 1852.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, A. H. Brown would organize a company of militia in Marion, Ohio. On 17 April 1861, A. H. Brown set up a recruitment office, in the Bennett Building, later to be the sight of the Marion County Bank. It was described as a “dingy back room of the Bennett Building.”

The evening of 17 April 1861, he would have twenty-two men enlisted in the company. By 18 April 1861, ninety-two men were enlisted. On 22 April 1861, the unit would meet at the old city hall to elect it’s officers. They elected A. H. Brown as Captain of this company. The company left Marion, to Camp Dennison, for “Three Months Service,” on 23 April 1861.

This company of militia from Marion, Ohio, became K Company and they were mustered into service under the Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry (O. V. I.) They were mustered into Federal service 7 August 1862, for “3 years service.”

In a letter from Nancy Anderson, wife of Judge Thomas J. Anderson, to her son dated October 14, 1861; we see the patriotic character of A. H. Brown.

Dear Son: – We are anxiously awaiting your letters. Our government is calling for more volunteers. Many of the three months men are re-enlisting. Eugene was sworn in last week for three years, also his brother Charlie, Bryant Grafton, and others. D. A. Scott is recruiting another company.
Captain Albert H. Brown came home just before the election, and dismayed and scattered the half-hearted and the disloyal. He made no bones of calling all traitors who did not vote the Union ticket, and you know that he had always been an ultra Democrat. He made several speeches while at home that would have surprised you. We had no idea he could speak so well. I heard him in court-house yard, and I am now inclined to think that the subject and the occasion, more than the speaker’s educational advantages, enable him to acquit himself well, and to satisfy and entertain his audience. To be sure no great oratorical power was displayed; it was a plain impressive matter of fact talk. Nor was he daunted though the assemblage was large. You will naturally suppose there was a good deal of wincing by persons called out and charged with falsehood, treason, and conspiracy against the government. He said that those who refuse to vote the Union ticket were giving aid and comfort to the enemy. He said that while he and his fellow-soldiers were fighting the battles of the country, keeping the enemy from invading our own state, that they were safe at home, secretly plotting, and forming infamous organizations against the government, for the purpose of securing the petty offices that they imagined to be within the gift of the Democratic party. He said that he intended to stay till after the election and take the news back to Camp Pendleton that the Union ticket was elected. Brown said that those opposing the Union ticket would “find themselves gloriously missing.” And so, it came about. The soldiers of the 4th regiment who went from this country, sent home by Captain Albert H. Brown, to be given to their families, Five Thousand Dollars. So you see they are beginning to live on their own earnings.
By the way, I forgot to tell you that Marion is now lighted with gas. A lamp post is near our house, – in front of the Episcopal church. Mrs. Kate Godman informed me that she had just received a letter from Princie…

Letter from Mrs. Thomas J. Anderson to James H. Anderson
Marion, Ohio, Oct. 14, 1861.

Note: Judge Thomas J. Anderson was an outspoken opponent to slavery and lived in Marion. Letters that he wrote during the civil war give descriptions of the men we seek to give honor.

Brown served as Provost Marshall until his wife became ill. After she died in 1862, he would offer his services again for the Union. He was then assigned to the 96th Regiment, O. V. I.
James H. Godman would also form a company of militia in Marion, Ohio. This company would elect him as Captain of the company, and they were designated as H Company in the Fourth O. V. I.

Cpt. A H. Brown would eventually attain the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and take command of the 96th Regiment, O. V. I., after the death of Colonel Joseph W. Vance. Colonel Vance was killed the at Battle of Sabine Cross Roads, Louisiana on 8 April 1864. Colonel A. H. Brown was greatly revered by his men, many of whom were from Marion.

After he was mustered out after the Civil War, he would be employed in farming. Brown also served two terms in the Lower House of the Ohio State Legislature.

Colonel A. H. Brown died on 27 August 1905, and is buried in Bloomfield Cemetery, South Bloomfield Township, Morrow County, Ohio.

A. H. Brown is remembered on the walls of the Soldiers & Sailor Memorial Chapel, in the Marion Cemetery on “Column 37, under 96th OVI.”

Private Clifford B. Fetty Dies of Bronchial Pneumonia After Surviving Major Combat, 1919

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Clifford B. Fetty was born on 25 October 1898, in Prospect, Ohio. His parents are W. B. & Ollie (Snyder) Fetty of near Prospect, Ohio. Clifford B. Fetty enlisted into the Ohio National Guard, on 23 May 1917, in Marion, Ohio. He was a member of D Company, 4th Ohio Infantry, Ohio National Guard (ONG). When the ONG was inducted into federal service, the Fourth Ohio was redesignated as 166th Infantry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division “Rainbow.”

Private Clifford B. Fetty was a veteran of the battles at Champagne-Marne; Aisne-Marne; St Mihiel; Meuse-Argonne. Sadly, after surviving combat from the beginning of the war until the end. Pvt. Fetty appears to have departed France on 26 January 1919, aboard the USS Rijndam. He then arrived at on 9 February 1919, at Newport News, Virginia. Pvt. Fetty became ill and died of bronchial pneumonia only two days after his return to the United States.

Private Clifford B. Fetty died on 11 February 1919, at Camp Stewart, Newport News, Virginia. Clifford B. Fetty is buried in the Marion Cemetery. Local soldiers served as pall bearers; Clay Parr, Reuben Severns, Hubert Taylor; Lloyd Garver and Harris Schaub, members of D Company; Perry Miller. Miller has recently returned from Camp Taylor, Kentucky, where he was attending the officers’ training. Hiram Schneemilch will serve as bugler. The firing squad was composed of Spanish American War Veterans, J. D. Shultz, Edward Mayes, E. O. Call, William Smith and James Sharrock.

Of the words spoken at the funeral in part were:

“But it is not our purpose today to speak of the glorious victory which our nation has won, Our text speaks of another victory, a victory vastly greater and more glorious, a victory which can fill our souls with joy even in the hour of death, a victory whose fruits we shall enjoy to the end of time, and throughout all eternity, the great victory to which Christ won over death itself. Death is swallowed up in victory. This victory is ours through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
By Reverend J. W. Schillinger

Marion Daily Star

Clifford B. Fetty is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio; and on the World War One Honor Roll, located on the second floor of the Marion County Courthouse.

Thomas C. Bowen Civil War Veteran and Marion Fire Chief

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Thomas Corwin “T. C.” Bowen was born in Marion, Ohio, on 14 October 1840. He was the son of Honorable Ozias Bowen & Lydia Baker. Thomas C. Bowen’s maternal grandfather was Eber Baker, founder of Marion, Ohio. Thomas Bowen attended schools in Marion. He also attended Oberlin Preparatory School.

From US Naval Academy

Thomas C. Bowen was admitted to the United States Naval Academy. T. C. Bowen was graduated early from the academy, due to the outbreak of the Civil War. He was an 1861 Graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He then served in the Navy during the Civil War. Due to his service in the Civil War, Bowen would gain the nickname “Colonel Bowen.”

In March of 1862, Midshipman Thomas C. Bowen was ordered to report to Captain Mead, on board the receiving-ship North Carolina, where he was assigned to duty as Assistant Instructor of Gunnery.
In an official publication of the Navy Department dated 1 January 1865, Lieutenant (Lt.) Thomas C. Bowen was assigned to the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, aboard the USS Monongahela (1862). The Monongahela at that time was led by Commander James H. Strong. By Orders dated 6 September 1865, Lt. Thomas C. Bowen was ordered for temporary duty on board the USS Miantonomah.

Following the Civil War Bowen returned to Marion, Ohio. While in Marion, Bowen worked as Civil engineer, surveyor, and attorney; being admitted to the bar in 1871. It was also in 1871, that T. C. Bowen married Sarah Williams, on 12 October.

In 1874, T. C. Bowen was found to be part of the Marion Star Baseball Association. The players were known as the “Stars.”

On 11 April 1878, the Marion Daily Star reported that T. C. Bowen was nominated and confirmed as Solicitor and Chief of Fire Department in the City of Marion. Also, nominated and confirmed were V. Lapham as Engineer of Fire Steamer, Con Maloy as Teamster, J. Cochran & A. BenVenuti as Night Watchmen.

On 25 April 1879, the Daily Ohio State Journal reported that Marion had appointed T. C. Bowen as City Solicitor and Chief to the Marion Fire Department. Elected at the same meeting was Wm. Fies, Clerk. William Fies later served as Chief of the Marion Fire Department. Both Bowen and Fies served as political appointees to the Chief position and had to be reappointed. This was before the Council created the Board of Public Safety and began to hire the Fire Chief and full-time firefighters.

Thomas C. Bowen died on 4 November 1917. He is buried in the Marion Cemetery.
Thomas C. Bowen’s name is recorded inside the Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Memorial Chapel; Column 3, “Bowen, T. C. USN,” for service in the Civil War.

Marine Pvt. Jeremiah R. Wood Killed in Action, 1918

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Jeremiah R. Wood was the son of William M. & Mary Evalinda (Parker) Wood. Jeremiah’s death was reported with him as being from Agosta, Ohio. His parents are buried in Agosta Cemetery, New Bloomington, Ohio.

It appears that Jeremiah was in Missouri when he entered service. The Marion Daily Star reported that he was in the Marines for seven years. He is also listed as only a Private and had entered service on 13 June 1917. He may have been discharged prior to the United States entering World War One and then reenlisted.

It also appears that Pvt. Jeremiah R. Wood was serving in the United States Marine Corps. with the 5th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Brigade, 2nd Division. His date of death is reported as being on 6 June 1918. On this date the 5th Marines were in their first combat action at Bois de Belleau. This was during the campaign of Chateau-Thierry (Aisne).

He was listed in THE OFFICIAL BULLETIN: Dated WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 1918. on pg. 8, as one of those “Killed in Action.” In the El Paso Herald there was also a Jeremiah Wood, from Agosta, Ohio, listed as killed in action.

Also killed on that date with the 5th Marines, was Daniel A. “Pop” Hunter. The following is an account of Pop Hunter’s actions. Pvt. Wood was killed in this same heroic action.

Hunter’s first combat assignment in World War I was in the Defensive Sector at Verdun (Toulon). On June 6, 1918, the 67th Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division (Army), American Expeditionary Forces, were posed to participate in their first major conflict in the campaign of Chateau-Thierry (Aisne) at a place called Bois de Belleau, French for Belleau Wood. At approximately 0350 hours, first Sergeant “Pop” Hunter stepped out of the treeline where his men were poised. He checked the line to ensure the men were properly formed and seeing they were to his satisfaction, raised his cane overhead and blew his whistle, giving the command for the line to move forward, with him and the commanding officer in the lead. Boldly the 67th company followed their First Sergeant across a wheat field headed to the copse of woods where the Germans lay in wait. It wasn’t long until the German’s began mowing the wheat field with their Maxim machine-guns and artillery, taking a heavy toll on the advancing Marines. The Marines would eventually seize the day and eventually Belleau Wood, but at a heavy cost. Pop Hunter was one of the casualties. He had been wounded on three separate occasions during the attack. Each time he was hit, Pop Hunter rose up and rallied his men forward, until he was shot in the head and killed.

Pvt. Jeremiah R. Wood was missing in action on 6 June 1918, at Belleau Wood. He is listed on the Tablets of the Missing Memorial at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial, Belleau, Departement de l’Aisne, Picardie, France

Jeremiah (Jerimiah) R. Wood is remembered on the Honor Roll, at the Veterans Memorial Park, in Marion, Ohio; and on the World War One Honor Roll, located on the second floor of the Marion County Courthouse.