Miami County, Ohio Genealogical Researchers -- Sponsored by the Computerized Heritage Association


    ANDREW RALSTON

    Andrew Ralston, farmer; P. O. Fletcher; born in Miami County Jan. 26, 1839; is a son of Barnabas and Melinda (Welchans) Ralston. Barnabas was born in this county Aug. 9, 1807, being probably one of the oldest men now living in Miami County. His wife, Melinda, was born in Warren County, Ohio. The grandfather, Allen Ralston, was born in Scotland and came to this country with his parents when only 3 years of age, arriving on the last ship that was permitted to come over prior to the Revolutionary War. The mother of Barnabas was a daughter of Barnabas Blue, of pioneer history in the early settlement of this county. Barnabas and Melinda were the parents of five children, viz., Jacob, David, Catharine, deceased; Mary, deceased, and Andrew.. Barnabas, the father, has always, from his birth, lived upon the same section of land, Sec. 22, and after his marriage, he settled, cleared, and cultivated the farm from its native woods. Mr. Ralston, our subject, has lived with his father most of his life, being unmarried, and having taken charge of and carried on the farm for several years. Politically, he is a Democrat. In August, 1862, during the War of the Rebellion, he enlisted in the 110th O. V. I., and served till the close of the war; he was in the battles of The Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania Court House, Petersburg, and several other engagements under Gen. Sheridan in his Shenandoah Valley campaigns of 1864; he was sent back to the Potomac Army, with which he remained, taking part in many of the engagements that occurred up to the close of the war; in the final engagement at Petersburg, it was their 6th Corps, as declared in a speech of General Mead, that broke the rebel lines, which resulted in the evacuation of Petersburg and, consequently, of Richmond; then followed the surrender of General Lee, which glorious sight was witnessed by Mr. Ralston.

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