Nellie Sheridan Wilson

Nellie Sheridan Wilson. , Nellie Sheridan was born into a traditional Irish family but was not content to fill the usual role of a 19th century woman working only inside the home. Somerset's first female postmaster and one of the youngest one in U.S. history, Nellie at 19 sought the office and was first appointed by President Harrison in 1889 to serve until her retirement in 1930. Since postal regulations forbade married women from holding office, Nellie remained single despite having a long-time suitor Thomas C. Wilson. In 1913 Nellie finally married her ailing fiancé who died within hours of the wedding. Though heartbroken, she resumed her postmaster duties the following morning (many were vying for the job) since there was no postal ruling against widows holding the position. She and her sister were chiefly responsible for the creation and placement of her uncle Phil Sheridan's equestrian bronze in Somerset Square. She ran her own mercantile business (1914-1926) and benefitted the citizens of Perry County, women in particular as a role model, working in every “civic political enterprise” imaginable. Because she was chairman of the local American Red Cross during world war one, president of Daughters of Union Veterans, secretary of Sheridan Monument Association and more, she earned a seat on the county Republican Executive Committee as well as the Ohio Committee for Improvement of Rural Government - truly a woman ahead of her time. Gwen Young (1922-2016) a Somerset mayor, recognized these accomplishments and started the statue project made possible by the generosity of the citizens of Somerset, Perry County, surrounding counties, and these major sponsors: North Valley Bank and Suburban Landfill, a subsidiary of Waste Management.