By: Mark Holtsberry
Lawrence E. Lighthill was born in Oakwood, Ohio April 4, 1892. The son of Dallas Buchanan born November 27, 1856 in Mansfield, Ohio and Amanda (Thrasher) Lighthill born July 15, 1860 in Ohio. This couple was married November 12, 1879. By 1880 this couple was living in Brown Township. Dallas was a farmer. By 1890 this couple was blessed with children. Irvin C. born December 4, 1882, who became a school teacher at the age of seventeen. Reuban M. July 1884, Lester V. December 1886, Alice M. October 1888, Lawrence E. was born 1892.
On June 20, 1899, Amanda passed away. She was buried in Prairie Chapel Cemetery. By 1900, Dallas continued to farm and the family was living in Brown Township, and the children were in school. By 1910, Dallas and children Vernon, a barber running his own shop, Alice keeping house, and Lawrence a farm laborer. Lawrence joined the National Army February 7, 1912 at Columbus Barracks. He was serving in the 18th Infantry and was Honorably Discharged February 6, 1915. On February 11, 1915 he re-enlisted Serving at Ft. McDowell, California. As war loomed in Europe, Lawrence was promoted to cook from private June 1, 1915.
He served with Company L. 15th Infantry, until August 22, 1916. During that time served, he was a private and cook. While serving in China, during the years of 1917 and 1918, he was promoted to Corporal November 1, 1918. He was Honorably Discharged November 1, 1918. His brother, Lester Vernon, registered June 4, 1917 and was working at Troy Wagon Works, Troy, Ohio. He came back to Brown Township to register, medium height and build, blue eyes, brown hair and single, and was called serve, May 25, 1918. He served with 309th Trench Mortar Battery. On September 17, 1918, Lester boarded the ship, “Maunganaito”, in New York to go to France.
On December 31, 1918, he boarded the ship, “Seattle”, at Brest, France and set sail for home. His term of enlistment ended January 12, 1919. He was be Honorably Discharged January 28, 1919. Irvin registered in Chicago, and was working as a brakeman on the Pennsylvania Rail road, he was not selected. Sometime after 1920, Lawrence married a gal named Mary K., born February 1, 1880, in California. Records stopped me from finding more information.
In 1925, Lawrence was a Staff Sergeant, serving in Hawaii. By 1930, the Lighthill’s were living in Los Angeles, California on South Hope Street. He was working as a clerk at a retail mill, I believe this was a military base. By 1940 the couple was living in San Antonio, Texas, at Ft. Sam Houston. Lawrence was still in the military working on base and held the rank of tech sergeant.
Lawrence registered for the World War Two draft in 1942. Lawrence retired from the military in 1948. By 1950, Lawrence and Mary were living in Dayton, Ohio on West 4th Street. On December 25, 1951, Lawrence passed away in Bexar, County, Texas at the hospital. He was buried in San Antonio, Texas at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Section K. site 186.
On December 25, 1955, Mary K. Lighthill joined him, she was buried in site 185. They had no children. (Notice they both passed away on Christmas).
