08/31/2026
Monument Monday 🪦
Captain James Skelton
Born - December 30, 1836
Died - 1912
Captain James Skelton was born in Vernon Township, Scioto County, Ohio, on December 30, 1836. His parents, John Skelton and Minerva Sperry, were farmers.
While he received a common education, he worked on the family farm and at Empire, Pine Grove, Ohio, and Junior Furnaces when he turned eighteen.
He enlisted in Company F, 27th O.V.I. on July 19, 1861, as a private, during the Civil War. He soon was made Fourth Sargent and later First Sargent, becoming Sargent Major of his regiment on June 27, 1864. He became Second Lieutenant, and on the same day, he lost his leg in the Battle of Kenesaw Mountain. He remained in the hospital for eight months after his injury. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain having been promoted to that position in recognition of his brave and meritorious conduct. He was in every battle from Chattanooga until he was wounded at Kenesaw Mountain. Captain Skelton returned to Scioto County after the war and opened a store.
He located in Wheelersburg, where he was the postmaster, operated a drug store, and ran a hotel. He was elected Auditor of Scioto County in 1868, and was re-elected in 1870.
In 1875, he purchased and operated the street horse-car line in Portsmouth, and ran it for eight years.
He served as Scioto County Commissioner for one term, when he was appointed United States Gauger. He served in this position for ten years when he turned his attention to the real estate business. It was said he laid out more additions to the city than any man who ever lived in it.
He was a member of city council when the first street paving was done in the city. He was a member of the State Board of Equalization and also was the chairman of the Congressional Committee of the Tenth Congressional District.
He married Mary Remy on May 16, 1858, and they had five children. His second marriage was to Mary Knittel on April 2nd, 1884, and they had four children.
This was written about his life:
“Captain James Skelton is the noblest Roman of them all. He does not know fear. As a soldier, he was like Ney, the bravest of the brave. Had he not met with the loss of his leg at Kenesaw Mountain, he would undoubtedly come home as a General. No one ever received greater meed of praise for his gallantry and bravery on the battlefield and no one ever deserved it more. He is the soul of honor and would die a thousand times before he would be guilty of a dishonorable action.”
Captain James Skelton died in 1912, and is buried in section 16, near the Chapel, in a family plot.
