By: Mark Holtsberry
Virgil Hudson was born September 11, 1899 in Paulding, Ohio. The son of Edward E., born December 4, 1865 in Henry County, Ohio and Alma O. (Barnes) Hudson born March 20, 1870 in Jackson Township, Paulding County.
This couple was married January 17, 1894 in Paulding. This happy couple were blessed with two children. A daughter Edna Vera was born in November of 1895, and a son, Virgil. By 1900, the Hudson family was living in Paulding. Edward was working as a grocer. The Hudson family also had a servant named Edna M. Powell, she was 13 years old. She had a family which lived in Jackson Township.
By 1910, the family had moved to the country in Jackson Township. Edward took on the role as a farmer. The kids were in school. Virgil’s sister Edna, married a fella named Franklin Clifford Schreiner on October 18, 1916 in Jackson, Michigan. On September 12, 1918, Virgil had registered for the draft.
He was listed as single, 5’7″ tall, light brown hair, brown eyes, medium and slender build. He was working for his dad as a farm laborer, but also was a student at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. October 7, 1918, he was enlisted into the S.A.T.C. program. This stands for, Student Army Training Corp. This would make him eligible for officer material. He was Honorably Discharged from service December 12, 1918.
Virgil moved in with his parents after he came home from college. He became a school teacher. January 25, 1920, Virgil’s mother passed away. On June 28, 1928, in Paulding, Ohio, Virgil married a gal named, Hazel Strayer. Born May 13, 1901 in Payne, Ohio. The daughter of Jeramiah and Minnie Strayer. By 1930, Virgil and Minnie were living with Edward. Virgil still teaching and helping on the farm. On May 17, 1932, Edward passed away in Jackson Township.
On May 26, 1932, Virgil and Minnie were blessed with the birth of a son, Jerry Edward Hudson. In later life, Jerry enlisted in the Marine Corp after high school and he made a career out of it. On February 8, 1935, a son, Thomas Paul Hudson was born. He passed away, February 10, 1935 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Virgil passed away, February 8, 1935 in Ft. Wayne at the Irene Byron Tuberculosis Sanatorium. He died of a far advanced pulmonary and acute tuberculosis. Both Virgil and Thomas were buried in Live Oak Cemetery, Lot 244, Block G. Grave 6. Hazel never remarried. She worked and retired from General Electric in Ft. Wayne.
She passed away June 5, 1982 in Ft. Wayne. The Rev. Jackie Leigh officiating. She is buried with Virgil and Thomas in Live Oak Cemetery. As for their son Jerry, he retired in 1971 from the Marine Corp with the rank of Major after serving 21 years. He served as a drill instructor in Korea, Japan and Vietnam. He was an intelligence officer at the Battle of Khe Sanh. He moved to North Carolina attain a Bachler of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. He taught at the University of North Carolina Charlotte. He retired in 1989. He passed away from cancer June 29, 2005 at his home.
… Until next time!
