Lemuel Lindsey Edgington
Lemuel Lindsey Edgington was born in Sprigg Township, Adams County, Ohio, October 10, 1836, son of Richard M. and Margaret (Lytle) Edgington. His father and his grandfather were both born in Sprigg Township. His grandmother's (Phoebe Edgington) maiden name was Noleman. His great-grandfather, George Edgington, located in Adams County among the first settlers. He was from Virginia. He settled at Bentonville and one of his daughters married William Leedom, who kept a famous tavern on Zane's Trace as early as 1807. The Edgingtons were Baptists from the first settlers. They at first kept their membership in the church at West Union. Afterwards they removed it to the church at Bentonville.
Richard Edgington, father of Captain Edgington, built the first tavern in Bentonville in 1848. It is now occupied by a Mr. Easter.
Lindsey Edgington spent his childhood and boyhood at Bentonville and attended school there. He also attended a select school there from 1848 to 1851, taught by Prof. Miller. In 1855, he took up the profession of school teacher and taught for five years, two years in Coles County, Illinois. In 1857 and 1858, he taught in Ohio, and in 1859, in Missouri. He returned to Ohio in 1860 and October 19, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, 70th O. V. I. He was made Second Sergeant when the company was organized. On March 1, 1862, he was made Sergeant Major of the Regiment, and on October 6, 1864, was made First Lieutenant and Adjutant.
On December 1, 1864, he was made a Captain and assigned to Company B. On April 9, 1865, he was detailed as Aid-decamp on the staff of Major General William B. Hazen and served as such until August 14, 1865. Any soldier reading this record will understand from it that Captain Edgington made an excellent soldier and was a most efficient officer. A history of his service would be a history of the 70th O. V. I., which is found elsewhere. He was in no less than fifteen battles, was in the March to the Sea, and in the assault on Fort McCallister, and was in the Great Review at Washington, D. C, May 24, 1865.
From 1865 to 1867, he was in the mercantile business at Bentonville, Ohio. From 1867 to 1883, he was employed as a traveling salesman for mercantile houses in Portsmouth and in Cincinnati, Ohio. He located in West Union in 1883 in the grocery and hardware business and has been engaged in it ever since.
He was married April 17, 1867, to Miss Eliza Jane Hook and has two sons and a daughter. His sons, Sherman R., and Eustace B., are engaged in business with him. His daughter Elizabeth is the wife of James O. McMannis, late Probate Judge of Adams County. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, Ohio Commandery of Manchester Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Manchester Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. He is a Republican in politics but never has taken any active part in political work.
Mr. Edgington is a man who has made no mistakes in life. He is capable and enterprising in business, a valuable and valued citizen. He is always ready to contribute of his means and influence toward any object calculated for the good of the community. His record as a teacher, a soldier, an officer and a citizen is without reproach.
From History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900