Decatur in Brown County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Historic Decatur / A. N. Marquis and Who’s Who
Historic Decatur. Originally called St. Clairsville and platted in 1801, Decatur was named for early 19th century naval hero Stephen Decatur. It is among the oldest villages in Brown County, which before 1817 was a part of Adams County. Among its notable early residents were Nathaniel Beasley (1774-1835), the first surveyor of Adams County, and Sarah Boone Montgomery (1763-1848), a heroine of the border wars in Kentucky. Decatur and Byrd Township supported at least four known stations on the Underground Railroad. Many area residents helped conduct escaping slaves northward to freedom.
A. N. Marquis and Who’s Who. Born in Decatur and reared in nearby Hamersville, Albert Nelson Marquis (1855-1943) began his own publishing company in Cincinnati at age 21. In 1884 he moved A.N. Marquis and Co. to Chicago, where he specialized in business directories. Marquis published the first edition of Who's Who in America in 1899. Immediately successful, the "Big Red Book" listed biographical information about nationally significant individuals, and inspired many similar topical references. Marquis was editor in chief until 1940. Who's Who in America remains a standard reference for information about accomplished living Americans.
Erected 2001 by Decatur Bicentennial Committee, Byrd Township Trustees, Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 5-8.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Arts, Letters, Music • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list.
Location. 38° 48.916′ N, 83° 42.235′ W. Marker is in Decatur, Ohio, in Brown County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (Ohio Route 125) and Eagle Street (County Route 102), on the right when traveling east on Main Street. marker is in Decatur Community Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10237 Main St, Decatur OH 45115, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Decatur Community (here, next to this marker); Decatur Civil War Monument (a few steps from this marker); Byrd Township World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Logan's Crossing 1796 Directional Marker (approx. 5.7 miles away); Russell Shaw (approx. 5.7 miles away); Covenanter Church (approx. 6.6 miles away); The Bentonville Anti-Horse Thief Society (approx. 6.7 miles away); Pioneer County Seat / Camp Hamer (approx. 8½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Decatur.
Additional keywords. Historic Decatur / A. N. Marquis and Who’s Who
Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2018, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 341 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 16, 2018, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.