Lawrence County, Ohio, has always been very patriotic when it comes to service in our military. It has been recorded that when President Lincoln called for volunteers for the Civil War, Lawrence County, Ohio, had the most volunteers per capita in the country. This tradition always stayed in style.
Even in the 21st Century, we still show our pride by having the longest-running Memorial Day Parade in the United States in Ironton, Ohio every Memorial Day. Even the pandemic couldn’t stop military pride as they held the parade without guests and live-streamed the event.
Bounty Lands Law 1855
John S. George has again created an agency in Washington, D.C., to procure bounty lands, pensions, &c. Every person who has served in any of the wars of the United States for not less than fourteen days is by the Act of Congress, approved March 3rd, 1855, entitled (“An act in addition to certain acts granting bounty land,”) &c., entitled to 160 acres of land, who has not already received a warrant for that amount. Every person who has received forty acres is entitled to 120 acres more, and every person who has received eighty acres is entitled to eighty acres more &c.
The widows, or minor children of deceased soldiers, are entitled to the same amount. He would also say to all those for whom he has heretofore procured land warrants if they will call again, he would be pleased to procure for them the additional amounts of land to which they are entitled, and all who have never applied, he will say, come along, now is your time. Office on the Second St., over the Iron Bank. Ironton, April 17th, 1855.
Have you ever wondered how the traditional ceremonies of our Military history of Memorial Day began? R. C. Hall tells us about the origins of “Decoration Day,” This article lays out the history and the decoration of the unknown soldier in Rome Cemetery, a tradition no longer observed.
Our Military History also covers parts of Western (West) Virginia and Eastern Kentucky. During those times when our forefathers would call for help, our regiments were filled up in Lawrence County, Ohio, and many would cross the Ohio River to join forces with other companies, especially during the Civil War era.
Connie Dziagwa provided this photo and states, “My great grandfather (standing in the middle) with military band members of the 17th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company G, during the Spanish American War.”
You can read the stories and records below about Lawrence County, Ohio, and those that served in the United States Military. We have collected several stories over the year about the brave soldiers that served our nation.