By: Mark Holtsberry
Clyde Ervin Franklin was born May 29, 1897 in Payne, Ohio. The son of Samuel H. born February 27, 1859 in Ft. Recovery, Ohio and Mary Elizabeth (Faller) Franklin, born December 19, 1861 in Ohio.
This couple was married February 8, 1880 in Mercer County, Ohio. The Franklin family was living in Paulding by 1900. Samuel and Elizabeth had eight children with Clyde being the seventh child.
By 1910, the Franklin family had added a son and also added a boarder living with them on Harrison Street in Paulding. Clyde was in school in Paulding. On May 19, 1914, Samuel passed away in Payne, Ohio. He is buried in Wiltsie Cemetery outside Payne, Ohio.
On June 5, 1918, in Paulding, Ohio, Clyde registered for the World War draft. He was listed as medium height and build, blue eyes, light hair and working for Harrison Township. On September 5, 1918, Clyde signed up with the National Army out of Paulding. He was assigned to serve with the 158th Depot Brigade. He served until October 20, 1918.
On November 11, 1918, he was assigned to the 112th Medical Department, Base Hospital and sent overseas. On February 12, 1919, Clyde boarded the ship, U.S.S. Rhode Island at Brest, France and set sail for Newport News, Virginia. He served until March 3, 1919. He was Honorably Discharged March 18, 1919. By 1920, Clyde was living with his mother and youngest brother, Clarence.
Clyde was working as a farm laborer and still single. But Clyde met a gal named Clara Lena Temple, born December 20, 1899. They were married June 7, 1921. This happy couple became parents of Ann Isabell born 1922, Bernice Cecilia 1923, John William 1924, Robert Ervin 1925, Richard Albert 1926, and William Francis 1928. By 1930 Clyde, Clara and four children had moved to Ft. Wayne. Clyde was a laborer at a tank factory. Son John had died in 1925 and son Robert had died in 1926.
The addition of Donald Edward, born in 1931, Daughters Dorothy Marie 1932 and Delores Mary 1937 completed the family. By 1940, the Franklin family was living at 1160 Edsall Avenue. Clyde was working as a laborer. On June 23, 1940, Clyde’s son, Donald died. Clyde changed jobs and was working on the Railroad as a maintenance foreman.
On May 2, 1941, Clyde passed away at home from heart issues. He was buried in St. Johns Catholic Cemetery, outside Payne. His mother Mary passed away December 31, 1943, she was buried beside Samuel. As for Clara, she met a fella named Martin Gospodarick and they married November 24, 1960 in Ft. Wayne. She passed away July 27, 1975 in Ft. Wayne. She was buried with Clyde in St. Johns Catholic Cemetery.
