By: Mark Holtsberry
Perry Nelson Leveck was born March 20, 1894 in Haviland, Ohio. The son of Commadore Perry Leveck, born February 27, 1853 in Fayette County, Ohio, and Ellen (Daniels) born February 9, 1857 in Ohio. The couple was married in 1880.
By 1900, the couple, along with seven children, six of which were girls, were living in Blue Creek Township. Commadore, or he went by Perry, was a farm laborer. On April 9, 1900, Ellen passed away and was buried in Blue Creek Cemetery, Haviland, Ohio. Perry, known by Nelson, was in school, as well as his sisters. By 1910, Perry still in school, was sixteen living at home in Blue Creek Township with his father, sister, and niece.
On June 5, 1917, Perry registered for the draft. He went to Hoaglin Township, Van Wert County. He listed his employment as working for his father. He was medium and slender build, brown eyes and brown hair. He was living in Scott, Ohio at this timeframe. I am guessing that he was living on the Van Wert side of Scott.
Perry got married July 17, 1918 in Van Wert to a gal named Mary Caroline Foust. She was born in September 19, 1899, the daughter of James McClellan and Myrtle Viola (Van Lundy) Foust. Perry was sent off to serve with 158th Depot Brigade, where he served until August 7, 1918. He was sent to serve with Company D. 336th Infantry and sent to Brooklyn, New York. He was on the ship, “Ajax” and set sail, September 3, 1918.
He served with the 336th until October 1918 and also served with Company L. 361st Infantry until January 19, 1919. Perry was honorably discharged, March 3, 1919.
He served in France as a private at Ypes-Lys. Perry had numerous visits to the Naval Hospitals. One stay was January 4, 1919 to January 19, 1919 on the Hospital ship, U.S.S. Comfort. He was listed as having diabetes and Melletis, an infection. Perry passed away in Van Wert, Hoaglin Township, June 6, 1919. He was buried in Blue Creek Cemetery, Section B. Lot 180, Grave 1. His wife Mary Carline, remarried to a fella named Walter F. Williams, and they had four children. She passed away, September 27, 1972, in Lima, Ohio. She buried with Perry in Blue Creek Cemetery.
…Until Next Time!
