Christian L. Poorman

Christian L. Poorman (October 28, 1825 – March 6, 1912) was a United States politician in the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Secretary of State from 1892-1893. He was also a publisher, manufacturer and inventor.

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(s)	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

Biography

Christian L. Poorman was born in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania October 28, 1825, the son of Christian and Elizabeth (Longdorf) Poorman. His father died in 1840 from the effects of a wound received in the War of 1812.[1] He attended the common schools and learned cabinet and chair making trades. He worked at these to afford law school. He entered the Cincinnati Law School in 1853, and graduated in 1855, establishing a large clientage at St. Clairsville, Ohio. Politically, he was a Whig, and became a Republican and strongly supported Abraham Lincoln when he edited the Belmont Chronicle. He continued with the Chronicle until 1870, except when away as a soldier.[1]

Poorman raised a company, and was commissioned captain of Company D, 43rd Ohio Infantry, December 21, 1861 - August 12, 1862. For gallantry in the field, he was commissioned lieutenant colonel, and assigned to 98th Ohio Infantry, participated in battles in Kentucky and Tennessee, and resigned September 12, 1863.[1]

After selling the Chronicle in 1870, Poorman manufactured machinery in Bellaire, Ohio. He was issued U.S. Patent 115,099 in 1871.[2] The Panic of 1873 wiped out his fortune.[1] The Democrats nominated him for Ohio's 16th Congressional District in 1872, but he lost to Republican Lorenzo Danford.[3]

In 1878, Poorman established the Bellaire Tribune, and strongly advocated protective tariffs. He was first elected justice of the peace in Belmont County, Ohio, and then elected county auditor for two terms starting in 1859. He was elected and re-elected in 1885 and 1887 to the Ohio House of Representatives, serving 1886-1889 in the 67th and 68th General Assemblies.[4] In April, 1891,[5] Daniel J. Ryan resigned as Ohio Secretary of State to take another position, and Governor James E. Campbell appointed Poorman to fill the position. He was not re-nominated for the 1892 election.

In 1890, Poorman was nominated by the Republicans for the 17th congressional district, but lost 51.2% - 48.8%.[6] In 1892, Poorman was nominated by the Republicans for the 16th congressional district, but lost 50.06% - 49.94%. Both times the winning Democratic nominee was Albert J. Pearson.[7]

On April 6, 1846, Poorman married Martha Ann Ebert.[1]

Notes

1. The National cyclopaedia of American biography: being the history ... 4. New York: James T White and Company. 1893. pp. 76, 77.
2. Annual Report of the Commissioner of Patents for the year 1871. 2. Government Printing Office. 1872. p. 386.
3. Smith 1898 : 306
4. Ohio General Assembly (1917). Manual of legislative practice in the General Assembly. State of Ohio. p. 296.
5. Gilkey, Elliott Howard, ed. (1901). The Ohio Hundred Year Book: a Handbook of the Public Men and Public Institutions of Ohio ... State of Ohio. p. 425.
6. Smith 1898 : 593
7. Smith 1898 : 631

References

• Smith, Joseph P, ed. (1898). History of the Republican Party in Ohio. I. Chicago: the Lewis Publishing Company.
• Christian L. Poorman at Find a Grave