Somerset in Perry County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Nellie Sheridan Wilson

1869-1947

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 19, 2022

1. Nellie Sheridan Wilson Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

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

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WWI, 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.

Erected 2018 by Citizens of Somerset, Perry County, North Valley Bank, Waste Management.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Government & Politics • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 39° 48.409′ N, 82° 17.966′ W. Marker is in Somerset, Ohio, in Perry County. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street (U.S. 22) and Columbus Street (Ohio Route 13), on the right when traveling east on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Somerset OH 43783, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Sheridan Monument / 1829 Courthouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); General Philip Henry Sheridan (about 400 feet away);

Photographed By Steve Stoessel

2. Nellie Sheridan Wilson Marker

First Lutheran Synod (about 600 feet away); Jacob Miller’s Tavern (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Seed of Catholic Education in Ohio / The Cradle of Catholicity in Ohio (approx. ¼ mile away); Somerset (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Sheridan Homestead (approx. 0.7 miles away); First Catholic Church in Ohio (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Somerset.

Also see . . .
1. Nellie Sheridan Wilson. Ohio Outdoor Sculpture website entry (Submitted on May 6, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)

2. Statue Unveiling. Zanesville Times-Recorder website entry (Submitted on May 6, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)

Nellie Sheridan Wilson image. Click for more information.

Photographed By Steve Stoessel

3. Nellie Sheridan Wilson

A Bit about Nellie:
The Perry County Historical and Cultural Arts Society website entry
Click for more information.

Nellie Sheridan Wilson statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Steve Stoessel

4. Nellie Sheridan Wilson statue

Nellie Sheridan Wilson Statue and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 19, 2022

5. Nellie Sheridan Wilson Statue and Marker

Nellie Sheridan Wilson Statue Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 19, 2022

6. Nellie Sheridan Wilson Statue Detail

General Philip Sheridan image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Steve Stoessel, May 3, 2019

7. General Philip Sheridan

Nellie Wilson and her sister led the effort to erect this statue of their uncle.

General Phil Sheridan Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 19, 2022

8. General Phil Sheridan Statue

Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 5, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 333 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on February 24, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on May 5, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 3, 4. submitted on May 6, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 5, 6. submitted on February 24, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 7. submitted on May 6, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 8. submitted on February 24, 2022, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.