Nelson Grant
Nelson Grant, a member of the family recognized as the first white permanent settlers in Jackson Township, had a long career as a farmer, businessman and elected official. In his youth, he gained his education in one of the township’s early log school houses.
At the age of 19, he assisted in taking a drove of stock to Baltimore and Washington, driving them across country. On his return, he traveled through Wheeling, West Virginia then to Cincinnati, and from there rode a flatboat to New Orleans.
He worked on the river about six years and at the end of that period he moved to St. Louis. Later, Grant spent a year traveling across the country that included the cities of Chicago and Detroit.
On May 5, 1850, Grant married Miss Caroline A. Odell, a native of Virginia, who had moved to Franklin County at the age of 19. By this union were born four children: Melissa and William N., both deceased; Charles W., became a farmer in Jackson Township; and Edward E., became a motorman and conductor on the Grove City & Columbus Street Railroad.
After his marriage, Grant moved to a farm in Jackson Township which he received from his mother. There, he was successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1883 when he laid aside active farming and moved into Grove City.
He owned property in the city and also 20 acres of land east of town. Politically, he was a supporter of the Democratic Party for many years, but later switched and registered as a Republican.
Grant held several local offices, including that of township constable. He also was elected to the Grove City village council for two years.
He and his family were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he was highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him.
During the war of the Rebellion (Civil War), Grant served in the 191st Ohio Volunteer Infantry until he was discharged. Grant joined the International Order of Odd Fellows in 1848 and was an active member throughout his life.
Source: A Centennial Biographical History of the City of Columbus and Franklin County, 1901. Compiled by James F. Hale.