Fordyce Rust Melvin (July 23, 1832 – January 4, 1915) was an American farmer, businessman, and politician. Born in

Chester Township, Geauga County, Ohio Chester Township is one of the sixteen townships of Geauga County, Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 10,256. Geography Located in the northwestern corner of the county, it borders the following townships and municipal ...

, Melvin moved to

Cattaraugus County, New York Cattaraugus County (locally known as Catt County) is a county in Western New York, with one side bordering Pennsylvania. As of the United States 2020 census, the population was 77,042. The county seat is Little Valley. The county was created ...

in 1848. In 1851, Melvin moved to

Green County, Wisconsin Green County is a county (United States), county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, the population was 37,093. Its county seat is Monroe, Wisconsin, Monroe. Green County is included in the M ...

and settled in the town of

Brooklyn Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

. During the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

, Melvin served in the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He was wounded at Bull Run and was discharged. Melvin then enlisted in the 24th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment and was again wounded. Melvin was a farmer and was an agent for the American Express Company; he also was involved with the fire insurance business and public conveyance. Melvin served as county treasurer for Green County and was a

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

. In 1879, Melvin served in the

Wisconsin State Assembly The Wisconsin State Assembly is the lower house of the Wisconsin Legislature. Together with the smaller Wisconsin Senate, the two constitute the legislative branch of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Representatives are elected for two-year terms, ...

. Melvin died at his home in Brooklyn, Wisconsin.Oldest Brooklyn Resident Dies Aged 82 Years, ''Wisconsin State Journal'', January 6, 1915, p. 6.

Notes

1832 births 1915 deaths People from Cattaraugus County, New York People from Geauga County, Ohio People from Green County, Wisconsin People of New York (state) in the American Civil War People of Wisconsin in the American Civil War Businesspeople from Wisconsin Farmers from Wisconsin County officials in Wisconsin 19th-century American politicians Republican Party members of the Wisconsin State Assembly {{Wisconsin-WIAssembly-Republican-1830s-stub