By: Mark Holtsberry
A name which has been long forgotten is Edward Michael Finan. A local boy who dropped everything in his life to serve his country. Well, let us take a moment to explore the life of Edward Michael Finan.
Edward Michael Finan was born in Paulding, Ohio, September 28, 1891. The son of Michael A. and Mary A. (Powers) Finan. Now birth records indicate his name is Michael Edward Finan. Michael and Mary were married in 1878 and became the parents of three children: daughter Claria E. born March 13, 1883, daughter Edna M. born September 28, 1891, and Edward M. Now if you the reader, is really following along, you will discover that Edward and Edna are twins!
The Finan family lived in Paulding, on 417 North Main Street. The children went to Paulding School, The father, Michael, was a hardware merchant. Edward was a basketball player while going to Paulding High School in 1910 — 1912. The team practiced and played all the home games at the Armory. Drafts were common during the winter time, as the doors were left open. No dressing rooms or showers. Some of his team mates followed the same steps in life as Edward. In 1910, Clara was a school teacher, Edna a telephone operator, and Edward was working as a clerk in a drug store.
The United States drawn into war, were in the need of soldiers. So Edward registered for the draft, June 5, 1917. Records list him with blue eyes and red hair, medium height and built. Edward was already serving in the military at Ft. Benjamin, Indiana. While others went overseas, Edward was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, and was in the Officer Reserve Corp. He served in the 337th Infantry and 160 Depot Brigade before being honorably discharged, March 4, 1919 at Camp Custer, Michigan. By 1920, Edward was back at home with his parents at 417 North Main Street and was working for the power company as a manager. All three children were single and still living at home.
Edward became involved with the County Liberty Loan Organization. The object was to enlist moral support for returning veterans. Basically, this was an organization to raise funds to clear debt that the war had occurred. And also to let returning veterans know that they are not alone in returning to a normal lifestyle.
By 1930, Edward, still single, became a book keeper at the hardware store. Edna had married and moved away, Clara, still at home, was working as a book keeper at a hardware store.
On May 16, 1931, the father, Michael, passed away in Paulding. He was buried in Live Oak Cemetery. By 1940, Edward, still single as well as his sister, was still living with their mother, Mary, at 417 North Main Street in Paulding.
Edward was a salesman and owner of the Finan Hardware Store. His sister, Clara, worked for him. In 1942, Edward registered for the draft. As World War Two brought America into war, But at age 50, he knew he would not have to go. On November 11, 1946, at the age of 95, Edward’s mother Mary, passed away. She lies beside her husband in Live Oak Cemetery.
In 1952, Edward filed for social security. Edward’s sister, Edna, passed away January 6, 1961 in Celina, Ohio. His other sister, Clara, passed away January 26, 1965 in Paulding and is buried in Live Oak with her parents.
As for Edward, he passed away, November 10, 1979. He too, is buried with his parents in Live Oak Cemetery.
Until Next Time!
