Lanier Township near Gratis in Preble County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Solomon Talbert

1819 - 1884

— Hall of Honor —

Solomon Talbert Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 23, 2026

1. Solomon Talbert Marker

Inscription. Solomon Talbert worked as a farmer, retail store owner, wagon builder, and conductor on the Underground Railroad in West Elkton. His company, Talbert Buggy Works, constructed false bottom wagons to hide runaway slaves on their journey to freedom. In fact, he even built one for Levi Coffin who was known as the "President of the Underground Railroad." Although short-lived, Talbert operated a store that sold items made with free labor as opposed to slave labor.

As recorders of Preble County history, PCHS and The Register-Herald are natural partners in co-sponsoring the Hall of Honor.

Inducted into the Hall of Honor September 14, 2025.

Erected 2025 by PCHS; The Register-Herald.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is September 14, 2025.

Location. 39° 39.5′ N, 84° 32.853′ W. Marker is near Gratis, Ohio, in Preble County. It is in Lanier Township. It is at the intersection of Swartsel Road and Ohio Route 122, on the right when traveling south on Swartsel Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:

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7693 Swartsel Road, Eaton OH 45320, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

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: Jesse Stubbs (here, next to this marker); Kenneth J. Garber (here, next to this marker); Paul E. (1914-2007) & Ruth Phelps Fitzwater (1916-2004) (a few steps from this marker); Susan Haines Kendall (a few steps from this marker); William R. Goodheart, Jr. (a few steps from this marker); Diana L. Akers (a few steps from this marker); Laura A. Hawes (a few steps from this marker); James Edward Quinn (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gratis.

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 23, 2026

2. Solomon Talbert Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 31, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.