By: Mark Holtsberry
William Bryan Jordan was born August 31, 1896 in Allen County, Indiana. The son of George Jacob, born August 22, 1859 in Pennsylvania and Sarah E. (Emery) Jordan born January 9, 1861 in Indiana. This couple was married April 3, 1877 in Allen County, Indiana.
To this couple, three sons were born: George Simson Jr., born June 1886, Samuel born February 1890 and William Bryan, August 1896. By 1900, the Jordan family was living in Harrison Township, Paulding County. George was a farmer. A daughter, Goldie, was born September 14, 1900 in Harrison Township.
By 1910, the family was living on Wilhelm Street in Antwerp. George Jr. had moved to Canal Street, Antwerp. George Sr. was working odd jobs. William was attending school.
On May 1, 1917, William joined the National Guard out of Hicksville. William was a cabinet maker, 6’0″ tall, brown hair, blue eyes, fair complexion. On October 26, 1917, William was assigned to serve with 62nd Depot Brigade. Promoted to Private 1st Class July 7, 1918. Then assigned to Company F. 145th Infantry, 37th Division. Saw action in the Muese-Argonne, Ypres-Lyes Defensive Sector. He served until March 30, 1919. William boarded the ship, Aquitania, at Brest, France March 23, 1919. Will arrived in New York, March 30, 1919. He was Honorably Discharged April 22, 1919.
William met a gal named Dollie Ellnora Woods, born August 6, 1887. They were married in Van Wert, December 24, 1919. A son, James Joseph, was born March 13, 1921, followed by a son, Garner Earl, March 18, 1922 and Stanley Woods, June 27, 1924.
By 1930, the family was living at 320 East Canal Street in Antwerp. William was in the ditching business and the boys were in school. A daughter, Grace Irene was born January 8, 1932 followed by another daughter, Rubie Helen July 13, 1934.
On December 29, 1939, William passed away at the Paulding Hospital. He was buried in Maumee Cemetery, lot 160, grave 5. His wife Dollie, signed for his Military Tombstone, March 9, 1940.
As World War Two came to pass, all three sons registered for the draft and all three enlisted to serve. James, Army, 148th Infantry, Garner the Air Force, 4th Battalion, and Stanley, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry. All three boys came home from the war, got married and raised families.
William’s mother, Sarah, passed away March 28, 1945 in Antwerp. She was buried with George in Maumee Cemetery. On August 6, 1987, William’s wife, Dollie, passed away and was buried with William in Maumee Cemetery.
Grace is living at Antwerp Manor Assisted Living, James passed away May 15, 1993 followed by Garner, September 1, 2001, Rubie, September 10, 2016, and the one we all know, Stanley, January 13, 2021. All are buried in Maumee Cemetery.
…Until Next Time!
