By: Mark Holtsberry
Hosea Gerald Hummell was an Antwerp boy who joined the Navy to serve in World War 1. Hosea was born January 25, 1897 in Antwerp, the son of LeRoy, born November 27, 1872 in Ohio, and Catherine Doyle (Fox) Hummell, born December 1874 in Ohio. LeRoy and Catherine were married in Paulding, June 30, 1894.
By 1900, the Hummell family, LeRoy, Catherine and 3 children were living with Catherine’s parents in Antwerp. By 1910, LeRoy, Catherine and now 5 children were living on West Washington Street, Antwerp, but now Catherine’s parents are living with them.
On August 28, 1915, Catherine Fox passed away. She was buried in Maumee Cemetery, Antwerp. Michael Fox passed away October 18, 1917 and was buried beside his Catherine. In 1917, Hosea, was living at 055 Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, Michigan. On May 18, 1918, Hosea joined the United States Navy Reserve, and called for active duty. He was stationed Detroit, Michigan.
May 22, 1918 to June 14, 1918, Hosea was at the Naval Training Station at Great Lakes, Illinois. Then sent to Norfolk, Virginia to serve at the Naval Operating Base until June 24, 1918. Serving 177 days on the U.S.S. Arkansas until November 11, 1918. He had attained the rank of Seaman 2nd Class. He was released from duty, January 23, 1919, due to lack of funding for the Naval Department.
Hosea was Honorably Discharged, September 30, 1921. On September 12, 1918, Hosea’s father LeRoy had to register for the draft. He was listed as short and slender build, blue eyes and light hair. He was not chosen to serve. By 1920, Hosea, most of the time going by his middle name, Gerald, was single and living on Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. He was working as an inspector at a Rubber Works Factory.
In 1926, Hosea’s father Leroy passed away and was buried in Maumee Cemetery. By 1935, Hosea was a patient at the United States Veterans Administration Facility in Center Township, GrantCounty, Indiana. By 1940, Hosea was still lying at the Veterans facility. It is unclear what his health issues were.
On November 18, 1944, Hosea Gerald Hummell passed away. He spent 9 years, 7 months and 23 days in that care facility. He was buried in Maumee Cemetery. His mother, Catherine, signed for his Military tombstone application. She passed away in 1960.
…Until Next Time!
