By: Mark Holtsberry
Here is the story of another Paulding County gal who served in World War 1 as an American Red Cross Nurse. Juliette Wilcox was born December 10, 1870 in Jamesport, Missouri. The daughter of James Monroe and Adelia (Travis) Wilcox. James Monroe Wilcox was born December 14, 1818 in Martinsburg, New York. Adelia was born in 1835 in Ohio. The couple was married in Williams County, Ohio, January 1, 1852.
Just before Juliette was born, the family was living in Jackson, Missouri. The family had seven children at the time. James was a farmer. By 1880, the Wilcox family had moved to Monclova, Lucas County, Ohio. The family had added Juliette and her sister, Mabel F. James M. was still engaged in farming. James was a Civil War Veteran. Serving with Company M. 2nd Minnesota Cavalry. Enlisted in December 31, 1863, mustered out October 13, 1865.
Records are unclear, but sometime after 1880, James became a minister. Juliette’s brother, Alfred, the future famed Attorney from Paulding, served in the Spanish American War. He attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant and served with Company M. 2nd Ohio Volunteer Infantry, May 10, 1898 to February 10, 1899. In the timeframe of Alfred’s service, James Monroe Wilcox passed away July 22, 1898 at Grover Hill, Ohio. His body was laid to rest at Mohr Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio.
By 1900, after James passing, Adelia, moved to Latty, Ohio and lived with the eldest son, James S. Wilcox and his wife Alice and two children. Juliette was living on her own, moving from place to place, but staying as a nurse. By 1910, Juliette was living in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio. She was working as a nurse in Christ Hospital. In 1912, she was still living in Cincinnati, as a deaconess for the Methodist Home for the aged.
Juliette’s mother, Adelia, passed away July 22, 1918 in Kansas City, Missouri. Her body was brought home and buried in Live Oak Cemetery, Paulding. But, is she buried beside her husband James as the tombstone indicates? Is James still buried in Mohr Cemetery? Was his body removed to be placed in Live Oak Cemetery? This investigation could be for another article!
As war broke out in Europe, Juliette Wilcox had volunteered to serve with the American Red Cross. Her date of volunteerism, started November 4, 1918, serving at the Base Hospital, Camp Sherman, Ohio. Serving until January 5, 1919. Then served at the General Hospital #38 until April 5, 1919. She was listed as a Reserve Nurse, so she was relieved from active duty, April 5, 1919, not discharged. By 1920, still listed as single, Juliette had moved to 933 West 53rd Street, Los Angeles, California working as a nurse.
Her brother, Alfred, passed away November 10, 1928 in Paulding. By 1930, still living in Los Angeles, but living at 13660 Borden Street, she was employed as a nurse working at a hospital. It seems that where she was living, was owned by the hospital. It is unclear what she was doing between the years of 1940 and 1950. I am guessing that she was probably retired by this timeframe. But her voter registration listed her as living at 115 North Almansor, Los Angeles, California.
Juliette Wilcox was never married and passed away, July 9, 1960, in Los Angeles, California. Her burial site is unknown. (While trying to discover her burial site, I was refused information, because of lack of relationship)
Until Next Time!
