Warner Bateman House
Circa 1858
Warner Bateman, nephew of the village founder Jonathan Wright, was an “agent” on the Underground Railroad. An “agent” was one who provided assistance to runaway slaves on their way to freedom. As an attorney, Bateman was in the difficult position of breaking laws he was sworn to uphold. Nevertheless, Bateman later became a prominent Cincinnati attorney and U.S. district judge. The house as it exists today was probably built around 1858, the year Warner Bateman took out a $2,000 mortgage on the property. James Griffin, a Springboro druggist, owned the house from 1867 to 1897.
Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (Ohio Route 741) and Factory Road, on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
