GENEALOGY DATA
Colonel Pren Metham Obituary

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"Colonel Pren Metham, 86, Answers 'Taps' Last Time"

"Colonel Pren Metham, aged 86, of Nellie, died Wednesday evening at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William R. Cate, at Madison, Florida. For some time the Colonel's health has been failing, but his condition was not considered critical and his death comes as a great surprise to relatives and friends. Death was due to infirmities.

Mrs. Metham, wife of the late Colonel, is ill, but her condition is not thot(sic) to be serious, according to the telegram received Wednesday night."

"Was Widely Known"
Colonel Pren Metham was one of the most respected and widely known of Coshocton residents. The news of his death will spread sorrow in many homes thruout(sic) the county and state. During the past ten years Mr. and Mrs. Metham have been spending their winters in Florida, they left Nellie the first of December and have been residing with their daughter, Mrs. W.B. Cate, of Madison, Florida.

This afternoon the body will arrive in this city on Pennsylvania train number 1206 due in Coshocton at 2:02, and will be taken to the Metham homestead one mile southeast of Nellie to the home of Austin Metham.

Orders have been issued by the local commander of the Civil War Veterans for all who possibly can, to be at the station to receive the remains of their comrade, Colonel Metham, and to make arrangements for attending the funeral. Complete funeral services will not be announced until the arrival of the body today. Services will probably be held Saturday morning and burial made in the Valley View cemetery at Warsaw."

"Of Pioneer Family"
April 5, 1830 Pren Metham was born one mile southeast of Nellie. His paternal grandfather was a captain in the Britihs(sic) navy and other ancestors served in the Revolutionary war. His father, Pren Metham, was born in London and when nine years old emmigrated to America and for seven years lived with his parents at Philadelphia. During this time he was a sailor and later learned the baker's trade. In the year 1820 he moved to Warsaw and settled in Coshocton County purchasing 560 acres of land on the Walhonding river. He was the last surviving member of the family of three boys and three girls.

Pren Metham received his education in public schools of Jefferson township and in the West Beford high school. He resided with his parents until the beginning of the Civil War, then enlisted in the Ohio Volunteers and was commissioned second lieutenant and United State mustering officer. After a month's service he had organized a company which became Company F, 80th Ohio Volunteer Infantry of which he was appointed captain. In recognition of his brilliant service he was rapidly promoted to major, lieutenant colonel and colonel of the same regiment.

In Many Campaigns
Colonel Metham was with General Grant during the siege of Vicksburg and of Corinth; and was with Sherman in the campaign against Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, Atlanta and famous march to the sea; also marched thru South and North Carolina and was present at the surrender of Richmond, Va. Colonel Metham served in active service three years and seven months. He was present at the Ford theatre in Washington when President Lincoln was shot and was the first man on the stage after the tragedy.

Soon after the close of the war Colonel Metham returned to Coshocton County and engaged in farming and became one of the most progressive agriculturists of the community. Ten years ago he retired from active farming in order to enjoy the result of his long and successful labors.

Colonel Metham was never a shirker of family, community or national duty. His life was marked with many sets of usefulness and kindness that won infinite friends and acquaintances. His acute intellect made him a successful leader of men and his honesty and bravery enabled him to win a military record of merit. Altho(sic) a republican of radical type, he refused to serve in political office.

Miss Sarah A. Proudfit, of Ashland, were united in marriage, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Austin Coleman. To this union seven children were born, four of whom are living, they are: Austin, who resides on the homestead; Alora who is Mrs. William B. Cate of Madison, Florida; John Metham, woh(sic) until recently lived at ...unreadable text.

Colonel Metham prior to the organization of the republican party was identified with the whigs, and was a charter memeber of the Warsaw Masons, the Newton Stanton Post G.A.R. at Warsaw. Mr. and Mrs. Metham were beloved members of the Warsaw Methodist Episcopal church.
We have a copy of the above obituary which appeared in "Coshocton Tribune, Feb. 16, 1917 issue, Page 1 (continued on page 4).

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