By: Mark Holtsberry
Bess Grace (Boyer) Garvin was one of Paulding’s World War 1 Army Nurse Corp nurses and was born May 30, 1887. The daughter of John Franklin and Sarah J. (Snyder) Boyer. John was born in 1849, Sarah was born in 1852 both were born in Ohio. The couple was married February 8, 1872. They moved to Benton Township in 1880. The Boyer family consisted of, at that time, three daughters. A son, Thomas was born in 1882, then Bess was born in 1887.
On December 4, 1888, a daughter, Lucinda, passed away and was buried in Lehman Cemetery. By 1890, the family was still living in Benton Township. A son, Orie Franklin, was born in February 1889. By 1900, the family moved to Payne, where John took a job working at the grain elevator. A sister, Lola Emily, became a school teacher at Payne.
By 1910, Bess was living in New York in Manhatten Ward 12 at 100 Street 7, 5th Avenue. She was working as a student nurse at Mt. Sinai Hospital in the nursing program, where she graduated. By 1916, Bess was serving with the American Red Cross on the border of Mexico, where she served in the Mexican-American border War.
In 1917, her brother, Thomas registered for the World War 1 draft. Bess served in the military as World War 1 broke out. She was on the roster as of April 12, 1917, but was not inducted to active duty until January 19, 1918. She was assigned to go overseas, February 6, 1918 to Camp Hospital #25 to March 24, 1918. Then moved to Hospital #30, April 11, 1918. She also served at base hospital #3 until March 5, 1919. After returning home, then finishing her service at Ellis Island, a Demobilization Station in New York. she was honorably discharged, April 13, 1919. Military records list her as, “Reserve Nurse relieved from active duty, not discharged.” Bess met a fellow named Roger Baldwin Garvin, tall, light blue eyes and brown hair. He was in France with the 57th Artillery unit, serving as a 1st Lieutenant. He was discharged, January 25, 1919. Not sure how they met, but on August 30, 1919, they got married in Manhatten, New York.
By 1920, Bess and Roger were living in Bergen, New Jersey on Grand Avenue East, Englewood Ward #2. They were living with Roger’s mother Helen Garvin and his two unwed sisters, Martha and Ruth. A daughter, Eugenie Boyer Garvin, was born December 19, 1920. Followed by a daughter, Leslie Ross Garvin, April 15, 1922. May 19, 1926, Bess father, John passed away. He was buried in Lehman Cemetery. By 1930, the Garvin family moved to Merrin Street, Payne. Roger a mechanic and Bess a nurse and the girls in school. On July 21, 1937, Bess’ mom, Sarah passed away and was buried beside John.
By 1940 the Garvin family was still on Merrin Street. Eugenie had just finished her first year of college and Leslie her third year of high school. In 1942, Roger had to register for the draft, as America was drawn into another World War. In 1943, Eugenie served in the Air Force serving with the Women Auxiliary Air Force.
On January 27, 1949, Roger passed away due to health issues. He was buried in Lehman Cemetery. Bess took care and signed for his Military tombstone. November 29, 1950, Bess and her daughter, Leslie left New York for six months on the ship, “Mormacyork”, and sailed to Brazil to visit Eugenie and her new husband.
In 1963, Bess filed for Social Security benefits. On Monday April 12, 1971 at 1:37 a.m., Bess passed away at the Ottawa Valley Hospital. She was buried Wenesday April 14, 1971. Services were provided by Slade Funeral Home with Rev. Grant A. Sheely officiating. She is buried in Lehman Cemetery beside her husband Roger. She was a life long member of the Rueben J. Smith Post #297, Payne, Ohio.
…Until Next Time!
