By: Mark Holtsberry
Herman Delmore Fuller was born in Oakwood, Ohio, December 14, 1887. The son of Alexander F. born December 13,1857 and Eveline (Burt) Fuller born April 2, 1867 in Ohio City, Van Wert County, Ohio. They were married July 3, 1886 in Paulding. From this couple’s marriage they had two children, Herman and a daughter named Ora W. born August of 1889. Something happened with this marriage, divorce I presume. In 1897, Alexander marries a gal named Anna Mubach, born in Switzerland in 1869. She along with her family, immigrated to the United States in 1885. Anna was married May 22, 1891 to a fella named John L. Badman They were married in Putnam County, Ohio. They had two children, Scott born in 1892 and Mabel in 1895. By 1900, while living in Brown Township, Alexander was a farmer, and the children as well as the step children, were all in school. On June 21, 1905, Alexander and Anna brought into the world a daughter Viola Hazel. By 1910, Herman was working on his father’s farm as a farm laborer. The rest of the children were in school.
On March 30, 1912, in Paulding, Herman married a gal named Laura Anena Bidlack. She was born January 4, 1897 in Oakwood, Ohio. In 1913, a son, Lyman S. Fuller was born. Herman, Laura and son Lyman, moved to 625 East Lawrence Street, Mishawaka, Indiana. Herman was working as a machinist at a company called Gellet Moten. Herman registered for the draft, June 5, 1917 at the local board for the county of St. Joseph, Indiana. He was listed as tall and slender build, blue eyes and dark brown hair. On June 27, 1918, Herman joined the National Army out of South Bend, Indiana. Herman was assigned to serve with the 158th Depot Brigade. Serving until September 24, 1918. He then was assigned to Company D. 45th Battalion United States Guards. He was promoted Sergeant, October 1, 1918. Honorably Discharged February 28, 1919. By 1920 Herman spent some time in school at Valparaiso College and at Ross College of Chiropractors at Ft. Wayne. In 1921, Herman, Laura and son Lyman, were living in Ft. Wayne at 908 Cass Street. Herman’s business address was 3104 Fairfield Avenue, Ft. Wayne. Sometime after that, the marriage had failed along with Herman’s health. He had to give up his livelihood and all activities. He was staying with his mother Eva Litzenburg, who for nearly a year she most tenderly cared for him in every way that human hands could. On March 4, 1924, Herman Delmore Fuller passed away. Funeral services were in charge of the Rev. S.J. Mericle and the Rev. R.C. Hurley. Burial was at the Prairie Chapel Cemetery outside Oakwood. He was be placed in lot 134, grave 1. In the 1920’s, Laura married a widower named Bernard Otto Muinch. This couple had two children together, Catherine and William. Laura outlived another husband and passed away in 1946. On April 27, 1933, Herman D. Fuller finally got his military tombstone. The Dan Giltz Oakwood Post #341 American Legion took care of this matter. The stone was signed for by, Don Ivan Fruchey, post commander and World War 1 veteran. The whereabouts of Herman’s son Lvman are unknown.
…Until Next Time!
