My gr-gr-grandfather was Thomas Henry Taylor and another gr-gr-grandfather was John Wallace Campbell, both of Auglaize, Ohio. I know that John W. Campbell was in the 71st Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry - other extended family members were also in that regiment. These include Ira Graves Rhodes (son of Asa W. Rhodes), Shadrick Montgomery Jr, Charles H. Montgomery, Asa Rhodes Jr, Bartlett Rhodes, John Taylor, and Ebenezer Spray - I have no idea what any of them looked like!

I have a photograph inherited from my grandfather Taylor of one of the 71st OVI Reunions - it looks like it was taken in front of the G.A.R. hall in Ludlow Falls, Ohio. I would love to identify some of these veterans, including my own relatives! (I know which one is Thomas Taylor and John Wallace Campbell.)

I am not positive of the year, either. Thomas Taylor died 8/18/1889 - I am not sure when the reunion took place that year. There are approximately 85 men, 2 women, and 2 boys in the photo.

Anyone with ideas or info would be appreciated!

My gr-grandfather Daniel Anders and his brother, George Anders, were both in the OH 71st OVI Co H. Daniel moved to Michigan and it is unlikely he was at the reunion. George (my gr-granduncle I guess) lived in Celina OH and could well have been at the reunion and in the photo. It might be a long shot but I could possibly identify him based on family resemblence. Is there a way you could post a scanning of the photo or send it as an attachment to my email addess. I also recently received a message from Martin Stewart who is writing a history of the OH 71'st OVI. I'm sure he would like a copy of the photo and would like to hear any information you have on your relatives that served in the OH 71'st OVI.

write2taylor,

Try posting it to the Ohio Civil War archive. http://www.historicalpreservation.org/civilwar/ohio, You can add John to the 71st OVI directory under his Company. Add the image as a listing, You might get some feedback from very knowledgeable people.

Thank you for that information! I am looking into all kinds of ways to identify the veterans and the exact year.

I was able to magnify the ribbons - straining my eyes, lol - and the location is West Milton, Ohio.

I THINK it could be 1897 - the month is June, maybe 14, or 16. The date is very small, and even with a professional magnifier, blurry. That is, on ribbons that can be focused on!

I appreciate your tip, and will follow up. I've been in touch with some organizations, too.

Kindly,
Sheri Taylor Bockelman

Scan the photo, put it into your photo program, then enlarge it until you can read the ribbons. If you don't have a photo program, there is a free one on Google called Picasa. If you don't want that program on your computer, just take the photo to Kinko's and have it enlarged until you can read the ribbons. No need to have it on photo paper, regular paper will work just as well. Sometimes just viewing the image in negative, black background with white writing, will make it easier to read.
Once you have identified the people by their ribbons, send the photo and the list to whichever Internet sites you think would be appropriate. Also put the url onto this rootsweb site.

No, problem. Sorry I couldn't help directly but it sounds like a very interesting photo. Someone out there can probably help identify the soldiers as well.

Hi, the ribbons do not have their names, individually. These are standard printed ribbons - in fact, one guy is sitting in front holding a box-full that must represent veterans who aren't present (left-over ribbons).

I have enlarged it until the ribbons pixelize, making them unreadable. Impossible.

I believe the date is June 14 or 16, 1897 - possibly 1896. This is based on the graying beards and opinions of others who thought perhaps even into 1900... however, I am confident those first two numbers are not 19 in the year...

Also, it looks like the reunion number has two words, like twenty-fifth or twenty-sixth - even msybe twenty-seventh.

My GG grandfather John W. Campbell served in Company G; enlisted at 19 on 1 Nov. 1861, was discharged for disability in Gallatin, TN on 13 Feb. 1864. He died in 1911.

I used to work in the printing/graphic arts industry, so I have a professional magnifier. It is the quality of the image that is inferior, but it is over 100 years old!