Herald-Star

Historic Monument Dedication Honors Civil War Soldiers in Bergholz

BERGHOLZ – As the nation marks the final year of the four-year sesquicentennial commemoration of the Civil War, the community of Ross Township in Ohio is paying tribute to its own Civil War soldiers with the dedication of the Mooretown Soldiers Monument. This event, set to take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, is a heartfelt homage to the township’s heroes, many of whom paid the ultimate price in service to their country.

The monument, standing 39 feet tall off County Road 53, was originally erected by Robert and Martha George in memory of their son, Thomas George, who was tragically killed at the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, on October 8, 1862, at the age of 25. The memorial not only honors Thomas but also commemorates the 31 soldiers from Ross Township whose names are inscribed on the monument. A striking feature of the monument is a 4200-pound cannon, capable of firing a 30-pound shell, which was cast at the historic West Point Foundry in Hudson River, New York.

This year’s dedication marks a significant addition to the monument—a new marker made possible through the combined efforts of the Ohio History Connection, Jefferson County commissioners, Ross Township trustees, the Bergholz Community Foundation, and the descendants of the George family. The marker features a poignant image of a Civil War reunion and lists the names of the soldiers from the township, ensuring that their sacrifices are not forgotten.

Curtis and Virginia Glenn have played a pivotal role in this project, overseeing the production of the marker at Sewall Industries in Marietta and its installation on May 14 by a dedicated team including Curt, Carl, and Charlie Glenn, along with Mike Boyd. The Glenns have also been active in fundraising efforts, drawing on proceeds from the sale of historical books and a pencil sketch of Mooretown by artist Dave Barnhouse, which depicts the community as it once thrived.

“The funding has allowed us to organize a meaningful program, similar to the Memorial Day rededication in 2011 when the monument was restored,” said Virginia Glenn. The program will include a luncheon catered by T.J. Balint and feature special guest speakers, all set to honor the memory of the township’s Civil War soldiers.

The Glenns are calling on descendants of the soldiers whose names are engraved on the monument to attend the dedication. A photograph from an 1896 Civil War reunion will be displayed on the Mooretown webpage, and the Glenns are eager to hear from anyone who might recognize a relative in the image.

The event, expected to draw a large crowd, will include provisions for a shuttle service and seating, though attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. The 2011 rededication attracted between 400 and 500 people, following significant restoration work on the monument, including the clearing of overgrown trees and the refurbishment of the cannon.

The George family’s generosity has also been instrumental in preserving the site, with the donation of land in the 1960s and 1985, which has been used to enhance the monument’s surroundings with benches, tables, and landscaping. The approach to the monument, which involves navigating 57 steps or a sloped haul road, is being beautified with yews and other hardy plants, with Curtis Glenn creatively assisting his wife down the slope to plant them.

Adding to the historical significance, the west face of the monument features a bronze plaque dedicated to Robert George, who was born in Antrim, Ireland, in 1744 and later served in the Revolutionary War with the Seventh Pennsylvania Regiment. He passed away in Mooretown in 1819, and the plaque, installed by the Ross Township trustees in 1985, ensures that his contributions, along with those of his descendants, continue to be remembered.

This dedication not only commemorates the past but also strengthens the bonds of the community, ensuring that the legacy of the soldiers of Ross Township will endure for generations to come.