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


    ALBERT M. ROUTSON

    Among the well-to-do farmers of Newberry township, Miami county, is Albert Mack Routson. The family name was originally spelled Routzahn, which signifies its German origin, and his grandfather, Jacob, spelled the name Routzon. The father of our subject, Thomas Routson, was a native of Frederick county, Maryland, and in company with his brother George he came to Ohio, living here with his brother, who had entered land in Newberry township. Not long afterward, however, Thomas Routson took up his abode in Covington, where he learned the tailor's trade, following that pursuit until his death. He was an industrious, energetic man and accumulated considerable property. During the war of 1812 he was a member of the state militia, and was stationed at Covington. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, and his political affiliations was a stanch Whig. He married Jemina Russell, whose birth occurred in Wayne township, Darke county, or in the state of North Carolina. She was a daughter of John Russell, who came to Darke county from South Carolina and settled in the wilderness, in what is now Wayne township, Miami county, where he spent his remaining days. Mrs. Routson died in Covington two weeks after the death of her husband. Their children were: Emeline, who became the wife of John Holcomb and died in Piqua; Albert M., of this review; and Jemima, who became the wife of Robert Chappel and died in Piqua in 1863.

    Albert M. Routson first opened his eyes to the light of day in Covington, on the 2d of December, 1840, and was only three years of age when left an orphan. He afterward lived with his grandfather, Jacob Routzon, with whom he remained until ten years of age, after which he resided with his uncle, David Routson, in Shelby county, Ohio, for five years. Subsequently lie lived with his uncle William Finfrock, of Clayton, whose store he was employed for six years. His education was obtained in all old log school-house in Lorain township, Shelby county, and among his first teachers were George Shaffer, Jonathan Hahn and Stephen Ballinger. He continued his education in Clayton under Jacob Knouff and Mr. Freshour, and when eighteen years of age put aside his text-books to enter upon the practical duties of business life. He learned work at the carpenter's trade as an employee of Peter Hartle, and later was in the service of Reuben Routson and Noah Rouch.

    During the time of the civil war, however, he put aside all personal considerations and enlisted on the 22d of August, 1862, as a member of Company G, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Infantry, under Captain J. C. Ulery and Colonel J. Warren Keifer. The regiment went into camp at Piqua and was ordered to Parkersburg, Virginia, but after two weeks went to Clarksburg and thence to New Creek and Moorefield. On that march Mr. Routson contracted a severe cold, which was relieved by a liberal use of honey, prepared by his comrades. He would not have been able to ward off illness if it had not been for the canteen of John Barleycorn," purchased from an old woman just before he started on the march. In camp at Moorefield for a short time, he then started on the march with his comrades through the Shenandoah valley. They met a company of guerrillas with whom they had a severe skirmish, but ultimately reached Winchester. In the meantime Lee had avoided Hooker and with his troops proceeded to Winchester, where one of the hotly contested battles of the war occurred. On the second day of the battle, while they were retreating before the rebels, a shell burst over Mr. Routson's head and threw him to the ground with great force. He with difficulty regained his feet and staggered on, but at length reached the fort in safety. The Union troops never entirely surrounded by the Confederates and the next day had to cut their way through the rebel lines. General Milroy's forces divided, part going to Harper's Ferry and the others to Bloody Run, Pennsylvania, Mr. Routson being with the latter division. On the 4th of July orders were received to proceed to Gettysburg, and while on the way they met some of the Union cavalry troops who had three hundred rebel prisoners. What remained of the One Hundred and Tenth Regiment was detailed to escort the prisoners to Harrisburg and Philadelphia and thence by steamer to Fort Delaware. Later they went to Philadelphia and Baltimore, where the One Hundred and Tenth acted as provost guard for General Tyler for three weeks. Later they spent three weeks at Camp Tyler. In the meantime the remainder of the regiment had gone to New York to quell the riots, after which the command was ordered to Culpeper, Virginia, from which place Mr. Routson went with a wagon train to Centerville Heights. The little train was shelled by the enemy while on the way. The regiment went into camp at Culpeper, Virginia, for the winter of 1863-64, and in May of the latter year proceeded to the Wilderness, where occurred the hotly contested seven-days battle. In that engagement Major McElvain was killed, Mr. Routson being the last man with him before his death. Captain Kiefer was also wounded, and the loss among the men was very heavy. Later our subject participated in the battle of Spotsylvania where General Sedgwick was killed and the troops were confined there continuously for days. At that place the sixth corps supported General Hancock at the "Bloody Angle." The next battle was at Cold Harbor and was followed by a sharp charge at Petersburg, where they later went into winter quarters. The One Hundred and Tenth Regiment belonged to the sixth corps, third division and second brigade, and it was this corps that broke the enemy's lines, while the One Hundred and Tenth regiment was the first over the breastworks. Mr. Routson made an important capture of a wagon and four mules, and in the wagon was a trunk which contained accoutrements for the rebel officers. He opened it and took out clothing, a fife and a small Bible bound in red leather, and the last named he still has in his possession. At the battle of Sailor's Run he again made a capture of a four-mule wagon. For bravery displayed on the field of battle at Petersburg he was promoted to the rank of corporal and was given a thirty days' furlough. He then rejoined his regiment at Petersburg, and was present at Appomattox Court House at the time of Lee's surrender. He likewise participated in the battle of Fisher's Hill, was on the skirmish line and had a narrow escape from death. In June, 1865 he received an honorable discharge at Washington, D.C., and with a most creditable military record, after being mustered out at Columbus, he returned to his home. Again he took up carpentering and followed that pursuit for some time.

    Mr. Routson was married December 15, 1868, to Miss Susanna Hinline, of Shelby county, who died in 1869. on the 15th of September, 1872, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Maria D. Apple, of Darke county, daughter of John W. Apple. Their children are: Deberga Catherine, now the wife of Henry Reed, who resides near Piqua: Harriet, wife of Christian Harmony, of Kirkwood, Shelby county, Ohio; Bertha Ann, wife of Peter Rhoades, who is living on the home farm; and Marion Calvin, at home.

    After his first marriage Mr. Routson purchased ninety-nine acres of land, sixty-seven of which he still retains. He has engaged in farming for about thirty years and has a well developed property, the richly cultivated fields yielding to him a golden return for the care and labor he bestows upon them. in 1897 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away on the 31st of July. He united with the Lutheran church after his second marriage, and in 1896 he joined the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a stanch Republican, unswerving in his allegiance to the party. As a citizen he is as true and loyal to his duties, as when he followed the starry banner upon the battlefields of the south.

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