1591 Harvard Avenue

1591 Harvard Avenue

Woodland Park, Columbus, Ohio
Lot 24, Warner's Nelson Place Addition

John H. and Margaret N. Warner sold this property to Carlton T. Nelson on January 4, 1899.

Carlton Taylor Nelson was born February 15, 1865 in Franklin County, son of John Jameson and Rebecca Burdett (Serage) Nelson. He married Edna Courtright about 1908. Edna was born June 17, 1884, daughter of Winfield Scott Courtright.

Carlton was a wholesale lumberman, owner of C.T. Nelson & Co. in 1891. In 1910 the Nelsons lived at 73 Parkwood Avenue. They had a 28-year-old maid, Tillie Huffman. It would be my guess that Nelson was the builder of this house.

1894 Columbus City Directory

Carlton died April 11, 1942. Edna died January 1, 1967, both are buried at Greenlawn Cemetery.

Carlton T. and Edna C. Nelson, then in Alberta, Canada sold the property to John T. Dill on June 27, 1913.

On October 2, 1919 Herbert M. Fletcher bought the property from John T. Dill, a real estate dealer, for $800.

Herbert Maxwell Fletcher was born on August 8, 1871 in Washington County, Ohio, son of John E. and Mary Ann (Mayle) Fletcher.

Herbert was first married to Amy Jones in Columbus on July 21, 1908. Amy was born about January 13, 1878 in Morgan County, Ohio, daughter of Luther D. and Sarah E. (Garnes) Jones. She was a seamstress.

In 1910 the Fletchers lived at 392 Galloway Avenue. Herbert's occupation is listed as president of a cement company. His brother Leslie is living with them and he is vice president of the cement company. Late 1930's city directories show listings for Fletcher Brothers Paving Co. A copy of Municipal Journal of March 15, 1917 shows that Fletcher Bros. received a contract to pave Wilson Avenue.

Herbert and Amy had one daughter, Mary Agnes (1914). Amy died at Grant Hospital on October 24, 1915 after an operation. Amy is buried at Greenlawn Cemetery.


Herbert married Roxie Bell Finley in Franklin County on December 16, 1916. Roxie was born December 12, 1883 in West Virginia, daughter of Rufus and Elizabeth (Holly) Finley.


The 1920 Census shows two "mulatto" families living on this stretch of Harvard Avenue, the Fletchers were one of them. Herbert was working as a cement contractor. In 1930 Herbert was a "building contractor" and Roxie was working as a seamstress. The Fletchers owned the home valued at $4,500.

Mary Agnes married Charles Edgar Sinkford before 1941. Charles died January 23, 1982. On May 3, 1991, at age 78, Mary Agnes married Edward James Ellison in Licking County.

Herbert and Roxie both died at their Harvard Avenue home. Herbert passed away on August 18, 1948 and Roxie on January 21, 1951. They are buried at Greenlawn Cemetery.

On April 19, 1961 the Sinkfords sold the house to Eddie and Lorraine Collier. Eddie Collier was born April 17, 1933. Eddie and Lorraine were married about 1954. Lorraine was born February 15, 1934. They had four children. Eddie and Lorraine were divorced on March 8, 1974 in Columbus. The home is still owned by a member of the Collier family.