During the celebration year of America’s 250th anniversary, Preserving Galion, Inc. has erected a first-ever historical marker honoring Benjamin Leverich, a Revolutionary War veteran whose family became the first to settle what is now Galion.
The marker, installed this past weekend along Harding Way West, Galion’s main street, stands on property belonging to First United Church of Christ, just a few feet from Leverich’s historic burial site. It is the first public marker identifying the resting place of the pioneer, who died in 1824, more than 202 years ago.
The location is particularly unusual. According to early historical accounts and mapping done by the federal government in the 1930s, Leverich was buried on a corner of his own farm, and the subsequent development of Galion’s Main Street placed the roadway directly over his grave.
Galion may be one of the only communities in Ohio, and possibly the nation, whose main street passes over the remains of a Revolutionary War veteran.
A Revolutionary War Veteran and Ohio Pioneer
Benjamin Leverich served in the 3rd Westchester County, New York Militia, commanded by Colonel Samuel Drake, from 1778 to 1781 during the American Revolution. Following the war, Leverich and his wife, Mary Briggs, raised eight children in Westchester County, New York. Sometime between 1805 and 1812, Leverich and much of his extended family migrated westward to Ohio. By 1817, Leverich and his sons James and Nathaniel had arrived in the area that would become Galion, accompanied by fellow New York settler George Wood. The Gill family arrived the following year.
The 1880 History of Richland County, Ohio identifies the Leverich family as the first to clear land and construct cabins in the settlement. Benjamin’s cabin stood near a spring on what is now Atwood Street. James built a cabin nearby, while Nathaniel’s home stood near the center of what became Galion’s Public Square. Nathaniel also dug an early well near his cabin, which remained a feature of the square for many years.
Benjamin’s cabin hosted the township’s first religious meeting, a Methodist service conducted by the Reverend Russel Bigelow, an early circuit preacher who helped establish congregations throughout the region.
The family’s role in establishing Galion connects the community’s earliest history directly to the generation that fought for American independence.
A Burial Site Beneath Galion’s Main Street
Leverich died between May and August 1824. His will, dated May 20, 1824, made provisions for his wife, children, and grandson, distributing money, land, and personal possessions.
An early Crawford County historical account describes the unusual circumstances of the burial:
“Good old Benjamin Leveredge lies beneath Main street, opposite this old grave yard.”
The historic cemetery nearby was eventually removed, with remains transferred to Union Green Cemetery. Leverich’s burial, however, was on privately owned land and remained in place according to the historical account. The new marker identifies his resting place for residents, visitors, and future generations.
Preserving Galion Leads Recognition Effort
Preserving Galion, Inc., a local nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of Galion’s historic buildings and heritage, initiated the project to provide long-overdue public recognition of Leverich’s life and contributions. The organization currently owns and is restoring the landmark Gill House, located approximately half a block from the new marker.
Preserving Galion approached First United Church of Christ about placing the memorial on its property along Harding Way West, close to the historic burial location. The church graciously granted permission, making the installation possible.
The marker is clearly visible from Harding Way West, allowing those passing through downtown Galion to recognize a previously unmarked connection to both local and national history.
Recognition During America’s 250th Anniversary
The installation comes during the nation’s semiquincentennial, a year devoted to commemorating the Declaration of Independence and the people whose service helped establish the United States.
Ohio is home to the graves of thousands of Revolutionary War veterans, many of whom migrated west after the conflict and helped establish new communities. Galion is among a relatively small group of Ohio cities and villages, including Milford, Grand Rapids, Kirtland, Portsmouth, and Evendale, whose first settlers included Revolutionary War veterans.
For Preserving Galion, the marker represents an opportunity to connect the city’s present-day residents with the earliest chapter of their community’s history. More than two centuries after his death, Benjamin Leverich’s service to the nation and his family’s contributions to the founding of Galion now have a permanent, visible acknowledgment along the city’s main street. The organization encourages residents and visitors to view the new marker along Harding Way West and reflect on the remarkable history beneath one of Galion’s most familiar streets.
Preserving Galion salutes this pioneer and patriot.
