Civil War Button & Railroad Item!

[Bell-Two]

Did a small hunt today and came up with a couple of firsts for me an Rail Road item and a Civil War Button! The partial lock plate is marked LM RR this is the Little Miami Rail Road it was the second rail road to be built in Ohio with construction started in 1837 the line ran until 1975 and much of it is now a bike path. The lock plate was found in a field just a few hundred yards from the old rail line path. The Civil War button is a Muscians button I cannot read the manufacturer's name but they were made by several different companies. Button still has fair amount of gilt on it and the shank is intact.

[Fire Fighter 43]

Nice digs WTG |:cheering:

[aloldstuff]

Nice recoveries, especially like the button. It's always nice to recover any RR item. :congrats:

[Bell-Two]

One of the really great things about this hobby is that it leads us to research, sometimes we can definitely make statements about our finds, others lead us to speculation...

The Civil War Musicians button was found in Spring Valley, Ohio so I did some research now this is all supposition so bear that in mind, I did a search of Ohio Civil War records on soldiers from Spring Valley Ohio which was and still is a small town. The unit of National Guard volunteers from Spring Valley were in the 154th Regiment in Company G. of those only one person was listed as a Musician and that is:
Name Company…….Regiment Rank
Mason John B. G 154th Regiment, Ohio Infantry (National Guard) Musician Musician

He was a delegate to the GAR Annual Encampment June 1919 held in Lima Ohio, as listed in the Proceedings of the 53 Annual Encampment.

It also seems that he returned to Spring Valley after the war and died there on December 9th 1919.

Now could this button be from his uniform, I guess it could be possible but there is no way of ever knowing of course. But one can imagine can’t one?

Biography

JOHN BELL MASON. In the ranks of the substantial farmers of Greene County, this gentleman is worthy of prominent consideration, having by frugal living and prudent management acquired a fine property, which brings him a comfortable income. He is serving his second term as Justice of the Peace, having been first elected in 1884, and discharging the duties of the position with such ability and faithfulness as to ensure his re-election. He has also filled the office of Township Clerk for six years, besides serving as Assistant Assessor under John T. HOGUE of Xenia, and as a Constable of this township. Religiously, Mr.MASON affiliates with the Society of Friends, and in political matters, casts his ballot and influence in favor of the Republican party. He served as a musician during the late war on the Union side, enlisting May 1, 1864, in Company G, One hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry, and by his inspiriting national ballads contributed to enthuse the soldiers.

An interesting fact is that Mason's grandfather was the founder of Bellbrook which is where I live!

Here is some pictures of the button cleaned up and a picture of his Pension Death Record.