By: Mark Holtsberry
Basil M. Wooton was a young man born in Latty, Ohio, March 30, 1897. The son of Levi W. and Ruby E. (Hamilton) Wooton.
This couple was married, August 16, 1890 in Celina, Mercer County, Ohio. They had four children: Jesse Raymond born 1893, Cora L. born 1895, Basil M. born 1897 and Gladys Grace born in 1907. The family was living in Latty in 1900 with Levi working as a liveryman. The family moved to Paulding by 1910, living on Chicago Street.
On June 29, 1916 at Columbus Barracks Ohio, Basil joined the Military. He served with Company K. 34th Infantry until May 30, 1917. Basil was promoted to Private First Class, May 1, 1918. He was sent to France and served in the defensive sector.
On May 29, 1918, Basil was wounded in action, severely. He was wounded again, September 5, 1918. He served with Company K. 28th Infantry until he was honorably discharged July 21, 1919. He was listed 50% disabled with a Surgeons Certificate of Disability. I believe he was gassed.
By 1920, the family, Levi, Ruby, Basil and his sister Gladys moved to Marion, Osceola County, Michigan. His father, Levi, was engaged in farming. By 1922, Basil was living in Detroit, Michigan at 2222 Michigan Avenue as a tailor for Zander Brothers.
On December 10, 1923, at the age of 27, Basil passed away in Detroit, Michigan. The cause of death, after an autopsy, Potts Disease, caused by tuberculosis. This goes to my theory, that he was gassed.
Basil was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Marion, Michigan. His father Levi, passed in 1931, Ruby passed in 1959, his brother Jesse passed in 1971, followed by sisters Grace in 1974 and Cora in 1984. All are buried in the same lot in Greenwood Cemetery. Basil was never married.
… Until Next Time!
