Mount Vernon in Knox County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mary Ann Ball

“Mother Bickerdyke”

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 17, 2008

1. Mary Ann Ball Marker

Inscription. Mary Ann Ball was born in this vicinity in 1817 and began her nursing career at age 20. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Mary at the age of 45 went to the soldiers' aid. Ignoring rank, protocol, and allegiance, she pursued fearlessly and with inexhaustible energy her mission to care for the sick and wounded. Rebel, Union, and Negro soldiers all received the same attention. She risked enemy fire, especially through Grant's Western Campaign and Sherman's Georgia Campaign, to rescue suffering men, often going out at night to hunt for the fallen. When the victorious armies of the North were reviewed in Washington at the war's end, "Mother Bickerdyke" rode her faithful white horse beside the generals and colonels. Veterans along the line of march gave her the loudest cheers.

Erected 1998 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, The Longaberger Company, Knox County Renaissance Foundation, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 3-42.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1817.

Location. 40° 23.625′

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N, 82° 29.117′ W. Marker is in Mount Vernon, Ohio, in Knox County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (State Highway 3) and High Street (U.S. 36), in the median on Main Street. Marker is on the NW side of the public square. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mount Vernon OH 43050, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Amish Country.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mary Ann Ball Bickerdyke (a few steps from this marker); Civil War Monument (a few steps from this marker); Millstone (a few steps from this marker); Henry B. Curtis (within shouting distance of this marker); Ellamae Simmons, M.D. (1918-2019) / "The Goal Will Be Met, So Long As We Persevere" (within shouting distance of this marker); Clement L. Vallandigham's Anti-War Speech (within shouting distance of this marker); The Cooper Fountain (within shouting distance of this marker); Knox County Veterans Walk of Honor (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Vernon.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Mary Ann Bickerdyke. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on May 2, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Mary Ann Ball image. Click for full size.

via Wikipedia, 1898

2. Mary Ann Ball

Mary Ann Ball Marker and Civil War Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., October 17, 2008

3. Mary Ann Ball Marker and Civil War Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on May 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,973 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 20, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 2. submitted on May 2, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on October 20, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.