By: Mark Holtsberry
SKINNER BROTHERS, A STORY OF TRAGEDY
This story is a story of sad tragedy involving one family, two brothers.
Frederick Albert Skinner was born January 6, 1896 in Harrison Township, Payne, Ohio. The son of Clarence Sylvester and Effie (Wahl) Skinner. By 1900, the Skinner family, along with five children, two daughters and three sons, were living in Harrison Township, Payne, Ohio. The number of children grew to nine by 1920.
Frederick was a small child living on the farm helping his father to provide for the family. Frederick’s older brother, Clarence, known as Emmett, was born January 21, 1894. He too was born in Harrison Township, Payne, Ohio. Clarence was in school so Frederick helped dad more with chores. By 1910, Frederick was in school, learning the basics, then returning home to the family farm.
Clarence became interested in a gal named, Anna Mae Brewer. On September 25, 1913 they were married in Hillsdale, Michigan. In 1914, a son Edward was born, then February 16, 1916, a daughter, Dessie Viola. As war was looming in Europe, Clarence and Frederick both registered for the draft June 5, 1917 in. Harrison Township. Clarence lists his wife and two children as a reason why he should not go to war. Clarence was listed as tall slender build, brown eyes and dark brown hair. Then a daughter Doris Orlea, was born February 3, 1918. He was not choosen in the draft.
As for Frederick, this farmer by trade and Township employee, slender and medium build with blue eyes and light brown hair and single, he was chosen to serve. On July 22, 1918, Frederick was sent from Paulding to Camp Sherman, Ohio. He was assigned with 5th Company, 2nd Training Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade. Where he was attached to the Medical Department Base Hospital, September 6, 1918. While at Camp Sherman, Frederick caught pneumonia. It is unclear as to whether or not he caught the bug while working at the hospital. Frederick passed away, October 7, 1918. His father, Clarence S. Skinner, was notified and Frederick’s body was brought home. Brought home to a family who was struggling with pneumonia and other illness.
As the family struggled with the loss of Frederick, Clarence Emmett, was now struggling to stay alive. He too, had gotten pneumonia. On October 11, 1918, while staying at his parent’s home, Clarence lost his battle for life. A double funeral for the Skinner brothers was held on a Sunday afternoon at the Wiltsie Cemetery, Payne, Ohio. Revs. D. Earl Rhoads and E. E. Cory were in charge of comfort and resolution that day.
The Skinner brothers share one tombstone in Section 2, Row 1. As for Clarence Emmett’s wife Anna, she remarried August 11, 1923 to a fella named George E. Lee who passed away in 1938. Then she married Edwin A. Hamilton March 7, 1940, who passed away May 26, 1942 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
Anna passed away July 19, 1962 in Ft. Wayne. She was buried with her Clarence Emmett in Section 2, Row 1., in Wiltsie Cemetery. As a side note, Clarence S. and Effie’s son, Russell, he lived to the age of 104, and is buried in Ft. Wayne.
Until Next Time
