Solomon Altman (1831-1886)

Solomon Altman was born ~1831 in Ohio. Various family trees and a page in the Find-A-Grave website give his birthdate as 3.Feb.1831 and his birthplace as Pomeroy, Meigs, OH. The 1840 census record shows Solomon's family residing on a farm in Sutton Township, which is adjacent to Salisbury Township and the the city of Pomeroy. However, there are also reasons to believe that Solomon may have been born in either Columbiana or Trumbull county. Solomon's parents were David Daniel Altman and Margaret Rummell, both descended from German-speaking immigrants who came to Pennsylvania during the Palatine Migration.

Early records are sparse, but the 1820 census record indicates that Solomon's parents were then living in Unity, Columbiana, OH, and I have found tax records showing that Solomon's father (David Altman) paid taxes there in 1826 and 1829.

The 1830 census record for Poland, Trumbull, OH suggests that Solomon's family were living there at that time, as were the parents of Solomon's mother. Ohio tax records for 1831-1835 show that Solomon's father, David Altman, paid taxes on 55 acres of land in Springfield, Columbiana, OH.

Ohio tax records show that David Altman paid taxes from at least 1831 to 1835 on 55 acres of land in Springfied, Columbiana, OH.

Census records for 1840 and 1850 show David Altman, farmer, and wife Margaret residing in Sutton, Meigs, OH in a household that includes Jacob, Solomon, Mary, and Samuel.

On 29.Jan.1856, Solomon married Mary Throckmorton. The marriage took place in Scioto County, OH. Mary died 10.Mar.1859.

On 15.Nov.1860, Solomon married Narcissus Throckmorton. The marriage took place in Scioto County, OH. Narcissus died sometime before or during 1878.

On 20.Oct.1878, Solomon married Lavina Gray. The marriage took place in Creek Camp, Pike, OH.

1850s

The 1850 census record for Sutton, Meigs, OH shows Solomon (age 19) residing in the home of his parents David (age 62) and Margaret (age 56) along with his brother Jacob (age 25), sister Mary (age 14), and brother Samuel (age 12). David is listed as a farmer with real estate valued at $1000, suggesting a farm large enough to benefit from the labor of two young men. Sometime after 1850, Solomon's parents moved to Morgan, Scioto, OH, and it seems likely that Solomon, now age 29, moved with them and was living there at the time of his first marriage in 1856.

1860s

Solomon does not appear in the 1860 census record for Union, Scioto, OH where his two children David D. and Phoebe E. are residing with their Throckmorton grandparents. He also does not appear in the census record for Morgan, Scioto, OH, which includes his parents and brothers Jacob and Samuel.

It was not unusual at the time for farmers to spend periods working and living away from home and working at temporary for additional income. For those living in Scioto County, work was often available in Portsmouth.

1870s

The 1870 census record for Union, Scioto, OH shows Solomon (age 39) and wife Narcissus (age 44) in a household that includes their sons Zachariah (age 9) and Hovey G (age), along with children from prior marriages: Sarah Marshall (age 19) daughter of Narcissus and Joshua Marshall; David D. Altman (age 13) and Phoebe E. Altman (age 11) children of Solomon and Mary Throckmorton.

Solomon's occupation is shown as farmer and the value of his real estate (400) suggest he owns a small farm.

1880s

The 1880 census record for Camp Creek, Pike, OH shows Solomon (age 49) and wife Lavina (age 54) in a household that includes Solomon's sons Zachariah (age 19) and Hovey (age 14), along with step-children (from Lavina's previous marriage) Thomas S. Lock (age 15), James M. Lock (age 13), and Amanda Lock (age 11).

Solomon's occupation is shown as farmer, as is the occupation of his sons and step-sons, though they are also shown as having attended school. No information about property ownership was collected for the 1880 census.

In October of 1861, Solomon Altman enlisted in the 56th regiment of the Ohio Voluntary Infantry. After mustering in Portsmouth in December of 1861, the regiment departed for action in February of 1862. The term of enlistment for this regiment was three years. During that time, the regiment participated in significant action which included: Battle of Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Battle of Port Gibson, Battle of Champion Hill, Siege of Vicksburg including May 19 & May 22 assaults, Siege of Jackson, Red River Campaign, and Battle of Sabine Cross Roads.

In May of 1864, after sailing from New Orleans to New York, the regiment went by train to Camp Chase in Columbus, OH and stayed there until July for a period of respite and a 30-day furlough, and then returned to New Orleans and remained in New Orleans for defense of that city until discharge. Some of the regiment remained until 1866, but records indicate that Solomon was dischared 15.Oct.1864.

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