By: Mark Holtsberry
Weldon Aldrich was born in Paulding, Ohio, May 2, 1895. He was the son of Thomas W., born in 1863 in Ohio, and Nancy E. (Hoover), born February 4, 1865 in Ohio. Thomas and Nancy were married June 24, 1886 in Paulding, Ohio. By 1900, Thomas, Nancy and eight children, a ninth had passed away, were living on the Charloe Pike Road in Jackson Township. Thomas was engaged in farming. The sixth child, Weldon, was at home as he was too young for school. A brother Gale was born in 1905 and a sister Sarah was born in 1910.
By 1910, Weldon was doing odd jobs as a laborer. He did not go to school, so he could not read or write. A sister, Retha, was born in 1912.
On June 5, 1917 at the Paulding north precinct, Weldon registered for the draft. Weldon was a farm hand working for Bish Jones. Weldon was medium and slender build, dark brown eyes and dark brown hair. He was living on West Jackson Street in Paulding. On May 24, 1918, Weldon, while living at 221 Emerald Pike in Paulding, signed up with the regular army at Paulding. Weldon was assigned to the 15th Company, 4th Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade. He served until June 7, 1918, then was assigned to Motor Company 6th Section B. Camp Greenleaf, Georgia until July 3, 1918, then assigned to Motor Company 1, Section B. Camp Greenleaf, Georgia until July 11, 1918.
On August 26, 1918, at Hoboken, New Jersey, Weldon was sent to board the ship,”Mauretania”, and sent to France. Weldon was serving with Draft Company 12th Infantry Replacement Group out of Greenleaf, Georgia. He listed his mother, Nancy as person of contact. Weldon was then assigned to serve on the Base Hospital, 72 until September 15, 1918.
Weldon served overseas until March 23, 1919. He was honorably discharged April 19, 1919. After coming home, Weldon took a job working for the railroad. He was a lineman in Chelsea, Sylvan Township, Washenaw, County, Michigan.
On June 17, 1921, Weldon was struck by a train car and was killed. His death was ruled accidental. Weldon was never married. His body was brought back to Paulding County and buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Lot 23, Grave 1. His father Thomas, passed away in 1939. Weldon’s mother Nancy, passed away in 1932. They both are buried in the same lot with their son.
Twice a year, I put flags on his grave, as well as all Veterans graves in Jackson Township Cemetery’s. Now as I put a flag on his grave, I know the rest of the story.
…Until Next Time!
