By: Mark Holtsberry
Alfred N. Wilcox
Alfred N. Wilcox was born March 9, 1864, in Ashland County, Ohio. He was the son of Rev. James Monroe, a Methodist minister, and Delia (Travis) Wilcox. James Wilcox was a Civil War Veteran from Minnesota serving in the Cavalry. I guess that explains Alfred’s willingness to serve.
Alfred went to Oberlin College for two years, then he became a school teacher and studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1891. In Paulding, he formed a partnership with John Snook, under the name of “Snook & Wilcox”. They tried many cases in law for the next thirty years. John would prepare the cases in the office, while Alfred would present the same in court. He won the majority of the cases tried, except for the Charles Hart murder trial.
Alfred was married to Miss Annie Marie Ice, who was born August 8, 1871, the daughter of Joseph and Anna Marie (Latty) Ice. Falling ill, Annie passed away, October 21, 1895. She was laid to rest in Live Oak Cemetery, Section 1, Row 8. Alfred, heartbroken and alone, continued to practice law and received attention of the state Republican party. Alfred ran for Congress in 1898, only to be unsuccessful.
In Paulding, when the talk of war became a topic of local interest, Alfred and a few of Paulding’s prominent citizens, began organizing the arrangements to recruit a company from Paulding to serve in the Spanish American War. This process took about three weeks. A hundred names of possible recruits were secured without difficulty. The required financial backing was pledged by the citizens. They boarded trains and went off to Camp Bushnell, Columbus then off to Georgia for training. Alfred was elected to serve as 1st lieutenant of his company, Company M. 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, having missed being elected captain by only 2 votes. It was customary, at that time, for the men of the company to vote on their command officers.
Alfred was mustered into service on May 10, 1898 at the age of 34. This also was the same year his father died. James was laid to rest in Live Oak Cemetery. Alfred served with his company and was mustered out on February 10, 1899.
Joy came back into the life of Alfred at 5:00 p.m. on July 31, 1899, when he married Ruth Barnes, (daughter of Erwin B. and Rosa A. (Williams) Barnes, one of the leading families of the community). They were united in marriage by the Rev. William Hook. From the church, they drove to Cecil to board a Wabash train heading east. They honeymooned at Mackinac Island, amidst the beautiful scenery and cooling breezes of that favored spot.
On April 12, 1900, a son, Marshall Erwin Wilcox, was born into this union, followed by Jeanne Wilcox in 1910. They lived in Paulding on North Main Street, and this family was seen attending the Methodist church where he took an active role. Alfred was also a member of the local Masonic Lodge. By 1925 he was the leading trial attorney in Paulding, but a large law firm in Columbus, Ohio, needed a man with his talent, so he moved to the capital city, where he became known for the rest of his life as an outstanding attorney.
On November 27, 1926, Alfred filed for his pension, that he had earned for serving in the Spanish American War. On November 10, 1928, Alfred passed away at the age of 64, leaving behind his wife, Ruth, son Marshall and daughter Jeanne. He was laid to rest in Live Oak Cemetery, Lot 48, Block F. Grave 3. His military tombstone serves as his permanent marker. Alfred once said, “I would rather be a big duck in a small pond, than a small duck in a big puddle”. He lived to be a man in a small town as well as in a large city.
Until Next Time
