By: Mark Holtsberry
Chancey Boroff was born March 2, 1887 in Grover Hill, Ohio. The son of William Harrison, born December 19, 1852 in Mercer County, Ohio, and Mary Ellen (Lautzenheiser) Boroff, born March 21, 1857 in Wells County, Indiana.
By 1900, the Boroff family was living in Grover Hill. William was working as a day laborer and the family had grown to eight children. Chancey had quit school after the fifth grade.
By 1910, the Boroff family was living in Haviland on McKinley Street. William was working at the tile mill, records state that Chancey was still in school. Only sister, Bessie, and Chancey were still at home. Granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Boroff, was living with the Boroff family, she was the daughter of Nettie Boroff.
By 1917, Chancey was living at 627 Center Street, Lima, Ohio. He was working at the Lima Locomotive Corporation.as a molder. Chancey registered for the draft at Lima, Ohio, June 5, 1918. He was listed as gray eyes, dark hair, light complexion.
On August 26, 1918, Chancey signed up with the Ohio National Guard. He was be assigned to 159th Depot Brigade and served until September 30, 1918, then assigned to 4th Company Coast Artillery Corp, Ft. Moultrie, South Carolina to October 12, 1918. After that, assigned to Battery A. 8th Trench Mortar October 18, 1918 as a cook, then assigned to Battery D. 9th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion November 10, 1918 and then to 60th Battery 15th Antiaircraft Artillery sector until he was honorably discharged December 20, 1918.
Chancey met and married a gal by the name of Dessie F. Newman December 24, 1919 in Highland, Ohio. By 1920, Chancey and Dessie were living in Bratton, Ohio with Dessie’s step-parents. Chancey was working as a farm laborer.
By 1930, Chancey was divorced and was in prison at the Detroit House of Corrections, 1441 Detroit, Michigan.
March 2, 1935 in Indiana, Chancey married a gal by the name of Estill V. Kruger and they moved to Jackson, Michigan. By 1940, Chancey was living at 1504 Eason Street in Jackson, Michigan, working as a machinist. Something happened with this marriage they divorced.
On June 18, 1941, he married a gal named Beatrice Marguerite Hoopingarn in Jackson, Michigan and they will live at 229 West Wesley Street, Jackson, Michigan. On February 16, 1942, Chancey, while living at 806 Third Street Jackson, Michigan, registered for the World War Two draft. The 5’7″ 165 pound unemployed man was not selected.
On August 21, 1946, while living in Jackson, Michigan, Chancey passed away. He was buried in Hedges Cemetery.
I redone his military tombstone footer years ago and place a flag on his grave two times a year. Now I know his story.
…Until Next Time!
