From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana page 413:
Emory G. Melendy, attorney at law, Fremont, Indiana, was born in Chenango
County, N.Y., October 29, 1841, a son of Norman and Sophia (Welch) Melendy,
his father a native of Vermont, and his mother of Connecticut. In 1845
his parents moved to Steuben County, Indiana, and soon after to Branch County,
Michigan, where the father died in 1855. He was a prominent man of
his day, taking an active interest in the growth and development of the county.
Mrs. Melendy is living in Branch County. To them were born eleven children,
seven in New York -- Lois B., now Mrs. Devine. Richard W. enlisted
in Company A, Twenty-Ninth Indiana Infantry, and was appointed First Lieutenant,
and afterward promoted to Captain. After the war he studied law and
was admitted to the bar. In 1872 he was elected circuit judge of his
district. He died at Eaton Rapids in September, 1883. Daniel
W. is a farmer in Nebraska. Squire W. enlisted in the First Michigan
Infantry, and participated in the Battle of Bull Run; he died in the fall
of 1864. Sally S. is the wife of James Hughes, of Branch County.
E.G., our subject. Edward N. enlisted in August, 1862, in the Nineteenth
Michigan Infantry. He was captured at Spring Hill, Tennesee, and was
incarcerated in Libby Prison; died from the effects of cruelty and exposure
soon after leaving the prison. Mary E. is the wife of James M. Lindsley,
of Detroit, Michigan. Abbie M., now Mrs. M.B. Wakeman, of Branch County.
John M., of Eureka, California, is a prominent attorney. Horence died
in infancy. E.G. Melendy was but fourteen years of age when his father
died, and from that time his maintenance and education were the result of
his own efforts. When twenty years of age, August 17, 1861, he enlisted
in Company A, Twenty-Ninth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the
battles of Shiloh and Stone River, serving till August, 1863, when he was
discharged, and the following fall enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth
Indiana Infantry, and was appointed Orderly Sargeant. He was at the
battle of Resaca, Decatur, through the Atlanta campaign, at Franklin and
Nashville. In February, 1865, he was promoted to Adjutant of the regiment.
They were sent to North Carolina via Washington, and were with General Sherman
at Kingston, and from there were sent to Charlotte, North Carolina, where
they were mustered out September 13th. Soon after the war he began
the study of law, and was admitted to practice in all the courts. He
has a fair law practice, and also gives some attention to collecting and
insurance. May 5, 1868, Mr. Melendy was married to Alma Follett, a
daughter of John W. and Angeline E. Follett, early settlers of Steuben County.
They have one child -- Maud. Mr. Melendy is a member of the Masonic
Fraternity, Northeastern Lodge, No. 210, Chapter, Council, and Apollo Commandery.
He is master of his lodge, and has represented it in the Grand Lodge of the
state. He is also a member of Steuben Lodge, No. 231, I.O.O.F., and
Kilpatrict Post, No. 45, G.A.R. He has passed all the chairs of the
subordinate lodge, and has been a representative to the Grand Lodge I.O.O.F.
of Indiana. In politics Mr. Melendy is a Republican and has served
as a delegate to the state convention.