By: Mark Holtsberry
Alva Johnson Abbott, was born August 4, 1892 in Latty, Ohio. The son of Charles and Mary (Gaines) Abbott. Charles was born January 1842 in Kentucky and Mary was born in 1851.
The couple was married June 1, 1872 in Paulding. Charles served in the 117th United States Colored Troops between the years 1864-1867. With this union, nine children were born, Alva being the ninth. In 1900, the Abbott family was living in Blue Creek Township, Charles engaged in farming, Alva was in school. On September 9, 1907, Charles passed away in Kansas. By 1910, Alva along with his brother Lenny and sisters Laura and Viola, were helping their mother on the family farm. On August 4, 1915, his brother J. Ira passed away.
By 1917, as America was seeing herself drawn into war, Alva registered for the draft. On June 5, 1917, he went to the Blue Creek East precinct in Paulding. Alva was working for Max Mielke as a farm laborer. Alva was single, medium build, 5’4″ tall, dark brown eyes, black hair and dark complexion. On January 25, 1918, his brother Levi passed away. Alva joined the army out of Paulding, August 3, 1918. He was assigned to the 40th Company, 10th Training Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade. He served with this unit until August 27, 1918, when he was assigned to Company C., 813th Pioneer Infantry. He was sent overseas, where he saw action in the Defensive Sector in France. He served until July 13, 1919. He was Honorably Discharged, July 21, 1919. By 1920, Alva returned home to live with his mother, brother Lenny and sister Viola.
On July 11, 1920, his mother, Mary, passed away in Chicago while visiting relatives. On November 20, 1920, Alva married a gal named, Hattie Ann Galloway. The daughter of Dennis Napolean and Angie Norah Galloway.On August 21, 1921, a son Merle Napolean Abbott was born. On October 26, 1922 a son Charles Wilbur Abbott was born. By 1930, Alva and Hattie had divorced. Alva also lost his sisters, Anna E. and Harriet Johnson in 1930. Alva ended up in Lima, Ohio and by mid 1939, his health was getting bad. He was taken to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Dayton, Ohio where on January 17, 1940, Alva passed away. The cause of death was gangrene. Alva was buried along with his family in Blue Creek (colored) Cemetery, or also known as Abbott Cemetery in Row 1, Grave 4.
…Until Next Time!
