Elihu Harlam Mason
b. 23 March 1831, Wayne County, Indiana to Richard and Sarah (Jackson) Mason
d. 24 September 1896, Pemberville, Wood County, Ohio

m. 2 February 1852, Warsaw, Kosciusko County, Indiana
Nancy Kelly
b. 9 July 1822, Wayne County, Ohio
d. 27 November 1905, Prairie Depot, Ohio

Children with Nancy Kelly:
• Emma married [–?–] Hinds
• Edson Newton
• Issac
• Williard
• Ida married [–?–] Hoover

Elihu lived in Union City, Randolph County; Indianapolis, Marion County; and in Wayne and Kosciusko counties in Indiana before moving to Ohio shortly before the Civil War began. He first joined Company I, 21st Ohio Volunteers, then reenlisted in Company K, 21st Ohio Volunteers. In April 1862, he participated in the Great Locomotive Chase (capturing a locomotive deep within the Confederacy) and was among the 12 Andrews Raiders captured and taken to Knoxville for court martial. Elihu was imprisoned, escaped, recaptured, and eventually exchanged in March 1863. He received one of the first Medals of Honor granted by the U.S. and received a personal congratulations from President Abraham Lincoln.

In April 1863, he accepted a commission as first lieutenant in Company B, 21st Ohio, joining the unit in June. He was wounded in the hip at the Battle of Chickamauga where he was again taken prisoner. He was exchanged in December 1864. Due to his wound and disease, Elihu never returned to active duty, and was discharged in May 1865. He was active in the GAR.

Submitted by:
Robert Mason Kipp
Gilbert AZ
E-mail: skd3@webtv.net