Person:James Denison (12)

Biography

James Dennison, a native of the state of Ohio, and a veteran of the Civil war, is one of the early settlers of Hancock county, having lived in the county for over sixty years. Mr. Dennison was born in Plymouth, Ohio, in 1837, and lived there until he was four years of age, when he moved, with his parents to a farm in Union township, Hancock county, where he lived until he was ten years old. The family then moved to Findlay, Ohio, and ever since that time, Mr. Dennison has made his home there; at first, with his parents, and later, with his wife and children.

His father was Elihu Dennison, Jr., who was born in New York state in 1799, came to Ohio in 1821, and to Hancock county, Ohio, in 1841, finally settling in Findlay in 1847. He opened the first meat market ever in Findlay, and successfully carried it on until his death in 1858.

James Dennison was married in the year 1860 to Mary Louthan, who died in 1861. In July, 1863, feeling that his country needed his services, Mr. Dennison enlisted in the Union army at Findlay, Ohio, in Company L, First Regiment Ohio Heavy Artillery, as fifth sergeant, and a year later, was promoted to first sergeant, and served as such until mustered out at Knoxville, Tennessee, in August, 1865, after the great struggle for the preservation of the Union was ended. Although he served for over two years, Mr. Dennison was in no regular engagements, but was in several skirmishes with guerrillas in eastern Tennessee. After being mustered out when the war was ended, Mr. Dennison returned to Findlay, Ohio, and , choosing the trade which his father had followed all his life, he went into the butchering business, and still continues in it.

Mr. Dennison married again, in 1868, his present wife being Elizabeth (Spaith) Dennison, and they have eleven children, all living, five boys and six girls. Mrs. Dennison was born in Germany, emigrated to the United States at three years of age, and with her parents settled in Findlay a half century ago.

James Dennison's grandfather, Elihu Dennison, Sr., was born in New York state and died there before his son Elihu, Jr., James's father, came to Ohio. He was a farmer.

Mr. Dennison is honored and respected in the community in which he lives. He is earnest Republican, sincere in his love of country and home, and as ready to work for their interests and welfare now, as he was when he entered the army in'63; but he merits the rest which should come with advancing years, and can leave the work for his boys. He belongs to Stoker Post, No. 54, G. A. R.

(Source: Centennial Biographical History of Hancock County, Ohio, The Lewis Publishing Co. NY & Chicago, 1903 pg. 52-3.)

Civil War Service

• 1st Sergeant, Company L, 1st Ohio Heavy Artillery
• Mustered in 15 June 1863
• Promoted from Sergeant 1 May 1864
• Mustered out 25 July 1865

Source: ³

Pension

• Application 1051716; Certificate 951328
• Widow's Pension: Application 1008104, Certificate 761841

Source: ⁴

1. ↑ Denison Genealogy, Ancestors and Descendants of Captain George Denison, E. Glenn Denison, Gateway Press, Balti
   p. 126.
2. ↑ Hancock, Ohio, United States. 1860 U.S. Census Population Schedule: Eighth Census of the United States, NARA Microfilm Publication M693. (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration).

   Village of Findlay

3. ↑ Foraker, J.B; H.A. Axline; and J.S. Robinson. Official roster of the soldiers of the state of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1866. (Akron [Ohio]: Werner Co., 1886-1895).
4. ↑ United States. Veterans Administration. Organization index to pension files of veterans who served between 1861 and 1900- [1917]. (Washington, District of Columbia: The National Archives, 1949).
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3} Ohio. Department of Health. Office of Vital Statistics. Certificates of death, 1908–present. (Salt Lake City: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1983–2005)
   cert. 28821 (1913).