Click for list of veterans who are named on bricks
Click for remarks presented by Dr. Lomax
Story and photos by Monty Siekerman
Unlike wartime, Ada Railroad Park was a peaceful place on Monday morning when Civil War veterans from Ada and Liberty Township were remembered in a service organized by Dr. John Lomax, an ONU history professor who retired earlier this month.
About 60 people attended the event on a quiet, sunny Memorial Day morning. After the service, those attending viewed the 83 inscribed bricks honoring each Union soldier who lived in Ada. The bricks are “planted” at the base of the cannon in the park, a cannon that points to Fort Sumter, S.C. where the first shots of the Civil War were fired on April 12, 1861.
The Civil War was a bloody war, many died. Prof. Lomax, in his remarks, pointed out that, incredibly, 60 percent of the men in Ohio, ages 18-45, served in the war. The casualty rate among Ohio soldiers was 10 percent higher than any other state. On Monday, the Union warriors were remembered in Ada.
Prof. Ray Schuck and two ONU students undertook the task, during the past year, to document all those from Ada and Liberty Township who served in the war. All were members of the Army. There was a Navy and Marine Cops at that time, but no Air Force because the Wright brothers hadn’t done their inventing yet.
The most recognizable name inscribed on a brick is Henry Solomon Lehr who served in the war before coming to Ada to found what is now called Ohio Northern University.
A list of those who served from this area is at the bottom of this story. If you know of someone to be added, contact Dr. Lomax at [email protected].
The bricks are inscribed with the veterans name, rank, and unit. Many are listed as OVI, which stands for Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Photo:
• History Professor Emeritus John Lomax gives remarks from the steps of the caboose in Railroad Park. Members of the Ada VFW Post color guard stand in the foreground.
• Attendees pause to read the names on the bricks.
• The crowd moves toward the inscribed bricks while Callie Young plays Taps.
•Molly Chow sings the National Anthem during the ceremony.
