Edward Follensbee Noyes
Edward Follensbee Noyes was horn in Haverhill, Mass., October 3, 1832, and be-coming an orphan served five years apprenticeship in the office of the Morning Star, a religious newspaper published at Dover, N.H. He then prepared and “went through” Dartmouth College, graduating near the head of his class, moved to Cincinnati and graduated in the Cincinnati Law School in 1858. When the civil war broke out he was one of the members of the Literary Club who enlisted. He changed his law office into recruiting headquarters and was commissioned, July 27, 1861, Major of the 39th Ohio Infantry, and later its Colonel. He was with his regiment in every march and in every battle and skirmish in which the command was engaged, until he lost a leg in an assault on the enemy’s works at Ruff’s Mills in the Atlanta campaign. While yet on crutches he reported for duty to Gen. Hooker, and was assigned to the command of Camp Dennison, and later was commissioned Brigadier-General. In 1871 he was chosen Governor of Ohio at the next election was defeated; in 1877 he was appointed by his old friend and club mate, President Hayes, Minister to France. During his service he was sent on an especial mission to the East, visiting all the countries that border on the Mediterranean. He resigned in 1881 and resumed his law practice in Cincinnati. He possesses fine oratorical powers, and is remarkable for his enthusiastic, cheery disposition and kindly manners. He was so beloved by the soldiers that he induced a larger number of veterans to re-enlist in his regiment than was secured to any other in the National army from Ohio. He died Sept. 4, 1890.
From Historical Collections of Ohio: By Henry Howe; Pub. 1888