By: Mark Holtsberry
Samuel Rolla Mott Jr.
One of Paulding County’s highest ranking officers was Samuel Rolla Mott Jr. He was born January 12, 1831 in Knox County, Ohio, the son of John G. and Anna (Rieder) Mott.
His early childhood education in schools were of the normal studies. As he grew older he learned the molders trade in St. Marys, Ohio and Buffalo, New York and he stayed with this trade for 6 years.
In 1852, Samuel had taken to the liking of Miss Martha Apgar, the daughter of Peter Apgar, from New Jersey. They were married February 1, 1852, Auglaize County, Ohio.With this marriage, which will be a happy and congenial one, six children were born: two sons and four daughters.
Wanting to do other skills, in 1855, he engaged in the saw mill and lumber business, but he had to move back to Auglaize County, Ohio. In 1858, he met and friended, Colonel John Walkup, who Samuel studied and read law with. At the breaking out of Civil War, Samuel abandoned his studies.
In April 1861 Samuel joined Company K. 15th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The company was mustered into service, April 27, 1861 at Camp Jackson, Ohio. On May 6, 1861, Samuel was appointed to serve as 1st lieutenant. The company was mustered in to serve three months. Samuel’s desire to serve led him to reenlist. The 57th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was formed in Camp Dennison, Ohio in October of 1861 and Samuel was with Company C 57th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mustered into service September 18, 1861 at Camp Vance, Findlay, Ohio, where at that time, Samuel R. Mott was appointed captain on October 20, 1861.
His Company saw action at Shiloh April 6-7, 1862, where he was wounded in the hip. The company would be engaged in four more battles, before Captain Samuel R. Mott, would be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the 57th Regiment, which was on April 16, 1863. Samuel was wounded in the neck at Vicksburg sometime between May 18 and July 4, 1863. He was wounded for a third time in Atlanta, between July 22, 1864 and September 2, 1864. He was promoted to colonel of the 57th Regiment on August 14, 1865.
Samuel served until September 26, 1865 and was discharged with the rank of Brevet Brigadier General. At an 18th annual reunion of the G. A. R. in Minneapolis where General William T. Sherman spoke, the question was asked of him, “Whatever happened to Mott, Colonel Mott”? Sherman said, “Mott was a soldier and a good one. I remember once, near Kenesaw, a big display of our men in plain view of the rebels. After you had started back to your camp in the woods, the rebels sent shells after you lively, and one of them exploded almost between Mott’s legs, tearing off half of his coat tail! Mott laughed as though it was very funny! He never flinched. He was always on hand.”
Returning home, Samuel resumed his law studies, and was admitted to the bar in 1866 and began practice in Wapakoneta, Ohio. In 1867, as a Democrat, he was elected recorder of Auglaize County, serving one term. Also on March 11, 1867, Samuel filed for his Civil War Pension, Listing himself as invalid. In 1870 he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives and served two terms, representing Auglaize County.
In 1874 Samuel located in Paulding and continued in the practice of law, holding at times, the office of mayor and justice of the peace, which he held for 12 years. Samuel was ever ready to defend his principles of his faith, either in fluent speech or friendly argument.
The Van Wert, Paulding and Michigan Railway was incorporated in December 1874 to build a short branch from Toledo, Wabash and Western Railway at Cecil to Paulding. The Paulding and Cecil Railroad was incorporated for the same purpose in December 1879 and opened in 1880. Samuel was one of the promoters of the Paulding and Cecil Railroad, in which this enterprise, Samuel suffered severe financial loss.
In the 1880’s, Samuel and family continued to live in Paulding and Samuel was still practicing law. Samuel became a charter member of Paulding Lodge # 502, F. & A. M. where he began the first master. In the 1890’s, Samuel and Martha were still living in Paulding, but Samuel’s health started to decline. Samuel and Martha lived long enough to see their children grow up to be ladies and gentlemen.
On June 7, 1899, Samuel Rolla Mott passed away in Paulding, Ohio and was buried Friday June 9, 1899 in Live Oak Cemetery (block E. Lot 16, grave 6) under the auspices of the Widow’s Son Lodge #502 F. & A.M. with Revs. Townsend and Magill officiating. The funeral was a large and impressive on, the solemnity of which will long linger in the hearts of those who attended. On June 23, 1899, his wife, Martha, filed for the Widow’s Pension.
Until Next Time
