Christian L. Poorman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Christian L. Poorman
26th Ohio Secretary of State
In office April 1891 – January 9, 1893
Appointed by	James E. Campbell
Preceded by	Daniel J. Ryan
Succeeded by	Samuel McIntire Taylor
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the Belmont County district
In office January 4, 1886 – January 5, 1890 Serving with Samuel Hilles Alexander T. McKelvey
Preceded by	Samuel Hilles
Succeeded by	Alexander T. McKelvey
Personal details
Born	(1825-10-28)October 28, 1825 Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
Died	March 6, 1912(1912-03-06) (aged 86) Shadyside, Ohio
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Martha Ann Ebert
Alma mater	Cincinnati Law School
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	Union Army
Years of service	1861 – 1863
Rank	Lieutenant colonel
Unit	43rd Ohio Infantry 98th Ohio Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Christian L. Poorman (October 28, 1825 – March 6, 1912) was an important person in Ohio's history. He was a politician, a newspaper publisher, an inventor, and even a soldier during the American Civil War. He served in the Ohio House of Representatives and was also the Ohio Secretary of State.

Early Life and Education

Christian L. Poorman was born in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, on October 28, 1825. His parents were Christian and Elizabeth Poorman. Sadly, his father passed away in 1840 from an injury he got during the War of 1812.

Young Christian went to local schools. He learned how to make cabinets and chairs. He worked hard at these trades to earn money for law school. In 1853, he started studying law at the Cincinnati Law School. He finished his studies in 1855. After graduating, he became a successful lawyer in St. Clairsville, Ohio.

Newspaper Publisher and Politician

Christian Poorman was interested in politics from a young age. He first supported the Whig Party. Later, he became a strong supporter of the Republican Party. He especially admired Abraham Lincoln.

He became the editor of a newspaper called the Belmont Chronicle. He worked there until 1870, except for the time he spent serving in the army. Through his newspaper, he shared his political views and supported Republican ideas.

Service in the Civil War

When the American Civil War began, Christian Poorman wanted to help. He gathered a group of soldiers and became their captain. This group was Company D of the 43rd Ohio Infantry. He served with them from December 1861 to August 1862.

Because he was very brave in battle, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He was then assigned to the 98th Ohio Infantry. He fought in important battles in Kentucky and Tennessee. He left the army in September 1863.

Inventor and Businessman

After the war, in 1870, Poorman sold his newspaper. He then started a new career in manufacturing. He made machinery in Bellaire, Ohio. He even received a special government approval, called a patent (U.S. Patent 115,099 ), for an invention in 1871.

However, a big economic problem called the Panic of 1873 caused him to lose his money. Despite this setback, he continued to be active. In 1878, he started another newspaper, the Bellaire Tribune. In this paper, he strongly supported ideas about protecting American businesses.

Political Career in Ohio

Christian Poorman held several important government jobs in Ohio.

• He was first elected as a justice of the peace in Belmont County, Ohio.
• Then, he served two terms as the county auditor, starting in 1859.
• In 1885 and 1887, he was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives. He served there from 1886 to 1889.
• In April 1891, the Ohio Secretary of State, Daniel J. Ryan, resigned. The Governor of Ohio, James E. Campbell, chose Poorman to take his place. Poorman served as the Ohio Secretary of State until early 1893.

He ran for Congress a couple of times but did not win those elections.

Family Life

On April 6, 1846, Christian Poorman married Martha Ann Ebert. They built a life together.

Christian L. Poorman passed away on March 6, 1912, in Shadyside, Ohio.