By: Mark Holtsberry
Emmett Good was born May 5, 1892, the son of Alfred Jerome, born January 15, 1871 in Ohio and Eura Ellina (Bradford) Good born October 19, 1873 in Rudolph, Indiana. The couple was married November 19, 1891 in Paulding.
By 1900, the Good family was living on Main Street, Paulding. Alfred was a day laborer. Emmett and brother Everett Roy, born November 28, 1893, were in school. Also a sister, Verdia C., known as “Verdie”, born December 27, 1897 was at home. By 1910, the Good family was living at 902 West Jackson Street, Paulding. Alfred was doing odd carpentry jobs. Emmett, Everett and Verdie, were in school. The Good family also welcomed daughters, Violet M. and Mavis M.
On December 21, 1914, while working at a dry goods store, Emmett joined Company B. 2nd Ohio National Guard out of Paulding. On July 21, 1915, his brother Everett also joined Company B. 2nd Ohio National Guard. Emmett was promoted to Supply Sergeant July 19, 1916. Both served until October16, 1917. Emmett shipped off to Camp Sheridan, Alabama and served with 11th Company, 3rd Training Battalion. Then he was sent to serve with Company K. 146th Infantry 37th Division. Brother Everett served as a Private with Company K. 146th Infantry 37th Division.
April 1918, back home in Paulding, as war was declared in Europe, Oakwood citizens held a celebration and raised a flag pole on the school house lawn. A flag was unfurled, Sergeant Emmett Good hoisted the flag to the top of the pole. On June 15, 1918, Emmett was sent to Hoboken, New Jersey, where he boarded the ship, “Leviathan” and set sail for Europe. Unclear when Everett was sent overseas, but he was in France. On May 18, 1918, Everett was assigned to serve with 156th Depot Brigade. June 15, 1918, Emmett was sent to the Defensive Sector, Muese Argonne, France. On September 28, 1918, Emmett was killed in action. Late November 1918, after the war was over, Emmett’s parents, Alfred and Eura, were notified. The newspaper, The Paulding Republican, stated that, “His deeds will live after him and he has set an example for the youths of the county”. Emmett was buried in the Muese-Argonne American Cemetery, grave 25, row 37, block f.
Everett survived the war, and was honorably discharged, January 1, 1919. He moved to Arizona, married and passed away December 24, 1952 and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Phoenix, Arizona. Their sister, Verdia married Bruder Brown, a World War 1 Veteran. She passed away, January 19, 1987. Verdia, along with the parents, Alfred, who passed June 16, 1941 and Eura, May 17, 1946, was buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Jackson Township.
… Until Next Time!
