By: Mark Holtsberry
Terrible news strikes another Paulding World War 1 soldier. John William Essex was born January 22, 1895 in Paulding. The fifth of nine children born to Thomas Jasper and Catherine Irene (Bennett) Essex.
Thomas was born October 4, 1857 in Union County, Ohio. Catherine was born March 3, 1867 in Highland County, Ohio. Thomas and Catherine were married March 3, 1883 in Paulding. By 1900 the Essex family was living in Paulding. Thomas was a farmer while Catherine was raising six sons and two daughters. John was in grammer school.
By 1910, the Essex family had moved into Jackson Township. Thomas was still engaged in farming and Catherine was raising a new son, Elmer S. Essex.
Oldest daughter, Belva, had married a fella named Rutherford H. Bailey, in 1906, and moved into her own home. John, as well as his brothers, were still in school.
By 1914, as the world began to war with itself, I am sure that the Essex brothers knew they would get mixed up in the fight. On February 26, 1914, John took a trip to Canada, for what business is unknown, but for a nineteen year old to travel outside the county had to be adventurous.
On June 5, 1917, John registered for the draft in Briceton. Listed as tall and medium build, blue eyes, and light brown hair, single and working as a farm laborer for George Coomer.
Brother Howard, registered for the draft September 12, 1918 in Paulding. He was working as a mail carrier. Thomas Reed Essex, farming and single, registered for the draft June 5, 1917 in Gladwin, Michigan.
John William Essex enlisted in Paulding, July 22, 1918. He was assigned to the 5th Company, 2nd Training Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade. He remained with this unit until August 8, 1918, when he was assigned to Company K. 335th Infantry until October 6, 1918. Then sent to serve with Company I. 28th Infantry Division. John served in Montdidier-Noyan, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Muese- Argonne defensive sector.
Serving on these fronts since September 3, 1918. War was declared over November 11, 1918, tragically John was killed by an accidental discharge of a hand grenade the same day! John’s father, Thomas was notified of his passing. John’s body was laid to rest in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot F., Row 23, Grave 19. During the 1920’s, the Gold Star Mothers Association, lobbied for a federally funded pilgrimage to Europe for mothers to visit the graves of sons buried overseas.
In 1929, Congress enacted legislation that authorized the Secretary of War to arrange for the pilgrimages to the European Cemeteries. Mrs. Catherine I. Essex, choose not to go and see the grave of her son.
What happened to brothers, Howard and Thomas Reed Essex? Well, Howard was a student at Ohio University in Athens, as a Student Army Training Corp Cadet. Honorably discharged December 13, 1918. Thomas Reed was a private serving in Company A. 11th Machine Gun Company, discharged August 6, 1919. A memorial stone was placed in honor of John William Essex in Live Oak Cemetery.
…Until Next Time
