By: Mark Holtsberry
Herman W. Coats was born in Grover Hill, Ohio, August 2, 1892. The son of Luther Elliot and Melissa C. (Harris) Coats. Luther was born January 3, 1861 in Indiana. Melissa was born July 31, 1864 in Indiana. Luther and Melissa were married, January 3, 1884 in Randolph, Indiana on Melissa’s birthday!
The Coats’ moved to Grover Hill, Latty Township before 1892, this is the year Herman was born. They had a daughter, Hazel who was born in Indiana in 1890. By 1900, the Coats family consisted of three daughters and three sons, Herman was the fifth child.
Luther made a living as a farmer, as all six children were in school. By 1910, Luther, Melissa and the two youngest children, Herman and sister Velma were living in Texas. Luther and Herman were engaged in farming. Herman had quit school to help his father.
By 1917, Herman had moved to Lockenburg, Arkansas. On June 5, 1917, Herman registered for the draft. He was listed as medium height and build, blue eyes, and brown hair. He was working as an automobile mechanic in his own garage.
Herman enlisted in the regular army, September 12, 1917 in Texarkana, Arkansas. He was sent to Fort Riley, Kansas for training. While he was living in Lockenburg, he met a gal by the name of, Addie Margaret Turner. She was born May 18, 1895 in Sevier County, Arkansas. They were married, December 12, 1917. 0n May 27, 1918, Herman W. Coats left New York and set sail for Europe on the ship, “Melta”.
Herman was assigned as a wagoner with the Field Hospital Company #21, Sanitary Train, 4th Division. On October 1, 1918, while aiding wounded soldiers, Herman W. Coats was killed. He was buried north of Cuisy, France. His burial location is unknown to this day. A memorial stone was placed in his honor in Park Cemetery, Fairmount, Grant County, Indiana, in Plot 6A.
This sad story continues as Melissa gave birth to a daughter, Herman Eluerna Coats, January 18, 1919, never knowing who her father was. Herman’s parents, both passed away in 1939. Luther on September 26, and Melissa December 11. They both are buried in Whiteriver Cemetery, Winchester, Indiana.
Herman’s wife, Addie, never remarried. She passed away, November 23, 1991 and is buried in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, Arkadelphia, Arkansas. The daughter, Herman Elyerna, married three times. First to a Reed Wilson, second to Milton Green, and finally to Robert L. Lawrence. He passed away September 12, 1975 in Pulaski, Arkansas. She passed away, July 19, 2012. They both are buried in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens, with her mother Addie. She never had children.
Until Next Time!
