By: Mark Holtsberry
Orval Cletus Lehman was born December 6, 1894 in Payne, Ohio. The son of William Elmer, born 1870 in Ohio and Elnora Ella (White) Lehman, born 1876 in Ohio. This couple was married April 20, 1893 in Paulding, Ohio. By 1900, this Lehman couple had three children. Orval C. born 1894, Clara J. October of 1896 and Merit Ray born February 7, 1899. As a side note, Clara went on to become teacher in the public school system for 44 years, alright back on track! The family was living in Benton Township. William was a farmer. His brother, Samuel H. Lehman also lived with this family.
By 1910, the Lehman family grew by four more children. Leona M. Born 1901, William Hobart 1903, Emil John April 21, 1905 and Mildred Elnora February 25, 1908. This family was living in Paulding on Harrison Street. William was a teacher at Paulding Schools. Orval was in school as well as most of his brothers and sisters.
On June 5, 1917, Orval went to the Paulding precinct and registered for the draft. He was working as an assistant cashier at the Payne State Bank. He was single, medium height, slender build, brown eyes and dark hair. Orval’s brother, Merit, registered September 12, 1918. Medium height slender build, blue eyes, dark hair, single and still in school. He was not selected for service.
On May 25, 1918, Orval joined the National Army out of Paulding. He served in the 159th Depot Brigade until June 16, 1918. He then transferred to Battery D. 142ª Field Artillery until July 16, 1918, then transferred to Quartermaster Corp. He was promoted to Sergeant October 30, 1918. He was honorably discharged December 26, 1918.
Orval met a gal named Cecilia Anita Radenbaugh, and on June 25, 1919 they married in Paulding. She was the daughter of Francis P. and Cyrentha Geneva Radenbaugh from Harrison Township. In 1920, Orval and Cecilia were living in Payne on North Main Street.
Orval was working as a cashier at the State Bank. On November 3, 1921, Orval was surprised with the birth of a brother. Harry Allen Lehman. On December 19, 1921, Orval and Cecilia were blessed with the birth of a daughter, Marjorie C. By 1930, the Lehman’s were still living in Payne on North Main Street and Orval was still a cashier at the bank. On May 9, 1934, a son, Edwin C. was born.
By 1940, still living in Payne, Orval was working as an insurance agent. Daughter Marjorie was a senior at the Payne school. In 1942, Orval registered for the World War Two draft. At his age of 48, he was not selected, but his brother, Harry, who registered February 16, 1942, was selected. He was a Corporal in the Marine Corp. serving with Company E. 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines. Harry was wounded at the Marianas Island’s.
In 1944, Orval’s mother, Elnora, passed away. She was buried in Lehman Cemetery. A year later, in 1945, Orval’s father, William, passed away was buried beside Elnora.
By 1950, Orval, Cecilia and son Edwin, were living in Payne. Orval was a sales manager for a real estate company. On October 9, 1952, Orval passed away at the Lutheran Hospital in Ft. Wayne. He passed away due to heart disease. He was buried in Lehman Cemetery. In 1988, Cecilia joined him.
