By Monty Siekerman
History buffs and artists will be especially interested in the public unveiling of a painting on a barn in Hardin County. Scott Hagan, the man who painted each of the 88 Ohio Bicentennial barns, is completing one of Jacob Parrott, the first Medal of Honor recipient in the U.S. for his service in the Civil War.
The unveiling will take place at 3 p.m. on Friday on a barn owned by Arthur and Charlene Bingham at 19691 US 68 south of Kenton. The barn is located two miles north of the Hardin-Logan County line.
Jacob Parrott (1843-1908) received the Medal of Honor in 1863 for his service the preceding year when he and others engaged in the Great Locomotive Chase during the Civil War.
Also known as Andrews’ Raid, Parrott and others commandeered a train north of Atlanta and used it to destroy and disrupt a rail line vital to the movement of Confederate troops and supplies.
After 87 miles, the chase ended with the capture of the raiders. Parrott was imprisoned but escaped.
Later, he met with President Abraham Lincoln and was honored by War Secretary Edwin Stanton with the first Medal of Honor. Other raiders subsequently received the award.
Parrott, born in Ross County but long-time resident of Kenton, was a private in Company K, 33rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The original Medal that Parrott received is now housed in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
Scott Hagan, the barn muralist, hand painted the painting to be unveiled on Friday. He employed the hand painting techniques he used on the 88 Ohio Bicentennial barns several years ago.
The Ohio History Connection has partnered with local organizations across the state to complete a series of Ohio History Barns. These murals showcase Ohioans of distinction and Ohio accomplishments, historic sites, and events, and state symbols.
Earlier ones include President Rutherford B. Hayes, Annie Oakley, Zohar Village Bicentennial, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, and Tecumseh. The Ohio History Connection, formerly the Ohio Historical Society, plans to continue this project with other barns across Ohio.
