By: Mark Holtsberry
Iris Mae Gaut was born June 2, 1888 in Ohio, the daughter of Eli and Mary Elizabeth (Outland) Gaut. Eli Gaut was born January 18, 1835 in Ohio. He was a Civil War Veteran serving with Company C. 68th Ohio Volunteer Infantry at the rank of Corporal. He served four years and saw some horrible battles.
Mary Elizabeth was born June 6, 1861 in Paulding County, Ohio the daughter of Alonzo and Elizabeth Outland. Her father was also a Civil War Veteran who served with Company D. 192nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Eli and Elizabeth were married in 1876. Now if anyone is doing math, yes Eli is older than her by sixteen years, and yes she was fifteen when they got married.
In 1900, the Gaut family, Eli, Mary and seven children, were living in Payne, Ohio. Eli was working as a day laborer. His youngest child, Vasser, was four years old. As for Iris Mae, she was in school.
By 1910, the Gaut couple and four children, were living on Merrin Street in Payne. Iris was a school teacher at the public school in Payne. By 1917, as America was drafting men to serve, Iris Mae Gaut, was wanting to serve.
On May 12, 1917, Iris was called to active duty as a Reserve Nurse serving with the Military unit base Hospital #2. Serving on Ellis Island. Iris left New York and was shipped overseas on the ship, “St. Louis”. She arrived in Liverpool, London on May 23, 1917. Eli and Mary not only had to worry about Iris, they also had a daughter, Dorothea E. who also was serving in the Red Cross at Ellis Island, with the camp Hospital #33, and was sent overseas. Also, their son Frank E. was in France serving with Company B. 76th Artillery. He rose to the rank of Corporal. Their son Vasser G., was stationed at Camp Jackson, South Carolina. He received his rank as 1st Lieutenant. Iris and Dorothea, met in Paris, France in March of 1918 while on furlough.
Iris Mae survived the war and was sent home. She departed St. Nazairre, France on the ship, “Metapan”, January 26, 1919 and arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, February 11, 1919. She was then sent to serve with the Demobilization Station where she, after paperwork was cleared, was relieved from active duty, not discharged, April 4, 1919.
Iris moved to New York living at 404 West 116 Street New York City. By 1920, she moved to Hamilton Avenue, Wayne County, Michigan. She lived with her sister, Blanche and brother in law, Charles Brokaw. Iris was working as a nurse. On April 28, 1929, her father, Eli, passed away, he was buried in Wiltsie Cemetery, Payne, Ohio. By 1930, Iris was living in Manhatten, New York on 16th Street.
Working as a technician in the Eye Institute of the Presbyterian Center. She helped establish the public health nursing program for the government. Then Iris started working as a Registered Nurse in a department store in New York City. Her mother Mary, will passed away, March 1, 1932. She was buried beside Eli in Wiltsie Cemetery.
Before Iris retired, she traveled to different places. One, being Mexico City, Mexico, in April of 1947. Iris moved to Washington Court House, Ohio. Her sister, Dorothea also retired in 1953 and joined Iris.
On December 26, 1961, Iris became suddenly ill and was rushed to the Fayette County Memorial Hospital, where three hours later, she passed away. Services were held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday December 28,1961 in the Gerstner Funeral Home by Dr. G. Glen Hughes, Pastor of the Grace Church. Burial in Washington Cemetery. In 1962, Dorothea, signed for Iris to receive her Military flat granite tombstone.
